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December 2023

The December 2023 edition of Smart Manufacturing is now available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.

View Digital Magazine

Thanks to investment in an ExOne S-MAX Pro 3D sand printer from Desktop Metal, Waupaca Foundry is now able to turn around a prototype tool in days instead of weeks.

Printing Payback

January 8, 2024

Thinking of buying a 3D printer but concerned about ROI? As Donnie Brasco said, “Forget about it.”

By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media

PTC’s Vice President of Sustainability Dave Duncan (right) speaking in May 2023 at LiveWorx, PTC’s annual tech event focused on digital transformation.

Sustainability Measures That Drive ROI

January 5, 2024

Building the business case for sustainability efforts in manufacturing

By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media

Workers at a manufacturing plant

Software to the Rescue: Solving Supply Chain Challenges

January 16, 2024

Move from manual processes to automated solutions for smart manufacturing success

By Karen Haywood Queen Contributing Editor, SME Media

NEWS DESK
Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026

Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS
Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

Michael McConnell April 10, 2026

The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
ENERGY
AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

Michael McConnell April 9, 2026

After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

NEWS DESK
Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026

Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS
Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

Michael McConnell April 10, 2026

The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
ENERGY
AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

Michael McConnell April 9, 2026

After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

NEWS DESK
Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026

Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS
Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

Michael McConnell April 10, 2026

The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
ENERGY
AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

Michael McConnell April 9, 2026

After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.