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Media
Manufacturing Engineering & Technology Magazine
October 2018
Manufacturing Engineering: October 2018
The October 2018 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
View Digital Magazine
EDMs Take a Big Step Up To Unattended Eroding
September 27, 2018
For the most part, EDMing is an unattended, or at least lightly-attended process. Unlike CNC lathes and machining centers, where a broken cutter during the night can make for a truly bad morning, sinking a mold cavity or cutting a trim die requires little in the way of babysitting—why wouldn’t you let the machine run on its own after everyone’s gone home for the day?
By
ME Staff Report
Automation
Thick Plate, Tube and More: Laser Cutting Advice from the Pros
September 28, 2018
From cutting various thicknesses of sheet metal and metal plate or different widths of tubing to navigating intricate materials or process issues, some of the laser industry’s leading suppliers have weighed in with tips and insights into their novel solutions.
By
Geoff Giordano
Contributing Editor,
SME Media
Lasers
From Multispot Welding to Limiting Soot: Tips for Optimal Laser Joins
September 28, 2018
In our May webinar titled “Lasers in Manufacturing: State of the Art in 2018,” we noted the emergence of some novel technologies to produce the “holy grail” of laser welding: spatter-free joins with no porosity and, when required, highly aesthetic outcomes.
By
Geoff Giordano
Contributing Editor,
SME Media
Lasers
Waterjet Makers Move to Increase Uptime of Machines
October 1, 2018
Waterjet technology—cutting materials with a jet of water—is expanding. Use of waterjets is moving to smaller shops, where there may only be one or two such machines. As a result, makers of waterjet machines are looking to boost uptime and simplify how they operate.
By
Bill Koenig
Senior Editor,
SME Media
Shop Solutions
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Up Front
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Advanced Manufacturing Now
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Software Update
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Workforce Development
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
SME Speaks
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Viewpoints
AUTOMATION
How To: Deploy Cobots in Existing Production Lines
Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager, Kassow Robots
February 7, 2026
The use of collaborative robots (cobots) continues to gain momentum as manufacturers look for practical ways to strengthen production without redesigning entire lines. Unlike traditional automation projects that often require significant reconfiguration, cobots allow facilities to improve consistency and reduce strain within the constraints of existing production layouts. This has become all the more important as manufacturers manage aging stations, limited floor space and rising pressure to maintain throughput with the same or fewer resources.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Sale Leasebacks Aid Manufacturer Resiliency
Malik Franklin, Partner, SLB Capital Advisors
February 6, 2026
American manufacturing companies operate in an increasingly complex environment. While long-term optimism around domestic production remains intact, near-term conditions are shaped by labor constraints, shifting tariff regimes, accelerating adoption of automation and AI, and renewed emphasis on onshoring to stabilize supply chains.
PRESS RELEASES
Tech Investments Outpace Manufacturing Workforce Readiness, Report Finds
PRESS RELEASE: Revalize Inc.
February 6, 2026
Revalize, a worldwide leader in CPQ, PLM, and CAD software solutions for manufacturers, released new research around the state of AI and smart technology adoption in the manufacturing sector.
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