The Growing Level of Automation in Fabricating Operations

When it comes to making something move, whether it be a robot arm, machine head, assembly line or more, you need to get the power from where it is generated to where the movement happens – enter gearboxes. Mike Quaas, President of DieQua, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about the world of automation and how gearboxes are critical to its deployment. Gearboxes have been around for hundreds or years, but today’s engineers have more choices than ever in how to utilize their power.

SME Interviewed Reid Coe, President of COE Press Equipment at FABTECH in November 2019. This podcast explores Advanced High Strength Steels and the impact on Coil Processing Equipment. Advanced High Strength Steels are certainly making an impact in the auto industry, and we learn about the challenges they pose to processing equipment. The podcast covers the purpose of coil feed equipment in the pressroom, why advanced strength steels are more difficult to handle, and some of the design changes that COE implemented to process AHSS.

SME interviewed onsite at FABTECH Shawn Miely, Senior Marketing Manager for Pro Segment of MakerBot. Founded in 2009, MakerBot was one of the first companies to make 3D printing accessible and affordable with its first 3D printer, the Cupcake CNC. This podcast features a discussion about the new MakerBot Method X in general, new materials available, and additive manufacturing for professionals.

As manufacturers continue to see demand for tighter tolerances and less waste, new solutions are needed to solve challenges. Dave O’Neil, Vice President of SME Media, sits down with Patrick Cratty, Assistant Product Manager and Richard Bevers, Southern District Manager for BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling, to talk about new technology and products. Hitting upon how digital technology and advanced workholding designs are improving machining and eliminating persistent manufacturing issues.

SME interviewed at FABTECH Greg Morehouse. He is the Executive Vice President for operations, Acieta, a leading RIA certified and FANUC Authorized System Integrator. This podcast describes how Acieta defines custom automation and how one should approach the task of engaging an integrator like Acieta in procuring an automation system, whether your shop has three people or 300.

When it comes to making decisions for manufacturing, you don’t know what you don’t know. But solutions exist for changing this. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor for Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Egbert Schröer, Principal Program Manager Azure Industrial IoT & AI at Microsoft, to talk about artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Technologies that are enabling manufacturers to improve their business and manufacturing operations by uncovering the unknown.