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SME Media Smart Manufacturing Magazine April 2021

April 2021

The April 2021 edition of Smart Manufacturing is now available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.

 

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Steltzner is chief engineer, NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He spoke at WESTEC 2013 about the engineering challenges involved in landing spacecraft on Mars.

Smart manufacturing takeaways from NASA’s latest trip to Mars

March 31, 2021
NASA landed another rover on Mars in February, thanks in part to the work and leadership of Adam Steltzner. Smart Manufacturing interviewed him shortly thereafter—just as he got off the phone with U.S. President Joe Biden.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
Industry 4.0 “continues to offer manufacturers the opportunity to take the idea of a visual factory to another level, using digital tools and connectivity of processes and machines to improve efficiencies,” said Bob Willig. He joined SME as its CEO and executive director in January.

SME’s new CEO won’t let up on continuous improvement

April 1, 2021
The adoption of smart manufacturing processes reminds Bob Willig of his “lean manufacturing journey, years ago,” he said.
Brett Brune
By Brett Brune Editor in Chief, Smart Manufacturing
Jian Cao, a mechanical engineering professor at Northwestern University, works with a student studying DSIF.

Not everything is a job to die for

April 2, 2021
When a legacy automotive or aircraft part breaks and needs a replacement, manufacturers currently have no good options.
By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media
Intuitive touchscreens with drag-and-drop graphics help companies get robotic systems online faster than ever before.

Tenured robotics integrator turns on a dime to help manufacturers do the same

April 5, 2021
In October, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, a smaller machine shop in Wisconsin needed a robot to deburr parts—and fast.
By Acieta Sponsored Content
Hexagon’s Q-DAS IMC software automates much of what used to be a user’s judgement call: Using measurement data to compensate for tool wear.

What measures the measurements?

April 7, 2021
For most of its history in manufacturing, metrology’s competitive arena was at the point of measurement.
Michael Anderson
By Michael C. Anderson Contributing Lead Editor
25 leaders transforming manufacturing

25 leaders transforming manufacturing

April 5, 2021
The need for leadership in smart manufacturing cannot be overstated: Making revolutionary changes can be arduous.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media

Upfront

  • American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education
    PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards
    NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract
    AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Advanced Manufacturing Update

  • American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education
    PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards
    NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract
    AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Manufacturing USA Update

  • American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education
    PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards
    NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract
    AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Field Intelligence

  • American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education
    PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards
    NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract
    AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.