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Manufacturing Engineering: March 2021

The March 2021 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Collaborative robots are easier to implement in part because they can be trained by manually dragging the robot head where you want it to go.

Automation in the Age of COVID-19

February 16, 2021
The longstanding trend toward manufacturing automation has understandably been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media
An OB7 cobot loads a raw blank into the main spindle of a nine-axis Quicktech S-32 ATM mill/turn center.

Automation for Everyone

February 18, 2021
Automating job shops is accelerating, driven by the combined influence of Industry 4.0, the continued shortage of skilled manufacturing labor and the COVID pandemic.
Geoff Giordano
By Geoff Giordano Contributing Editor, SME Media
FANUC offers two data analytics programs, MT-LINKi and FASData (shown here), both able to capture vast amounts of machine tool data.

The Connected Control

February 22, 2021
Ethernet ports first started appearing on CNC lathes and machining centers more than 20 years ago.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
Horn’s 960 system mounted to a standard BMT connection, with opposite hand replacement cassette shown.

Parting and Grooving for the Long Haul

February 24, 2021
Some trends in machining remain constant. Machine speeds continue to increase. Difficult-to-cut materials are used more frequently.
Bill Koenig
By Bill Koenig Senior Editor, SME Media
Manufacturers rely on digital twin toolpath simulation to reduce the machine setup time by an average of 65 percent, giving them the confidence to run the program and reduce the number of iterations during the test run.

Simulation Software Meets the Need for Speed

February 26, 2021
Toolpath simulation software gives manufacturers assurance that their machine tools will cut parts quickly and accurately, which is particularly useful when machining expensive materials like titanium or Inconel.
Pat Waurzyniak
By Patrick Waurzyniak Contributing Editor, SME Media

Shop Solutions

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

Up Front

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

SME Speaks

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

Additive Manufacturing Update

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

CEO Roundtable

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026. 

Viewpoints

  • IMTS

    Platinum Tooling Technologies Debuts Custom Solutions

    Rachael Thomas October 7, 2026
    The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) might have wrapped up its 2026 rendition in Chicago last month, but the innovations showcased during the five-day event are still worth highlighting.
  • CANADA

    Canada Trade Surplus Grows in August, Topping $4 Billion

    Michael McConnell October 6, 2026
    Canada’s trade surplus grew in August to C$4.2 billion ($2.94 billion USD), Statistics Canada said. Exporters rushing to increase shipments to the U.S. ahead of new 50% tariffs were responsible for the spike, analysts said.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boston Dynamics Selects Rohit Prasad to Lead Company

    PRESS RELEASE: Boston Dynamics October 6, 2026
    Boston Dynamics today announced the appointment of Rohit Prasad as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 7, 2026.