Blockchain can help power the process to monetize Big Data and will play a role in the FDA’s regulations to limit pharmaceutical counterfeiting by increasing security of the drug supply chain, said experts Smart Manufacturing gathered at Westec 2019 for an exclusive blockchain-tech roundtable
Machinists and toolmakers are often confused for one another. Their expertise and job descriptions might seem similar to an outsider, but as Practical Machinist’s forum members like to point out, there is a significant difference between them.
Manufacturers of all sizes see an uptick in productivity after adding a factory within a factory via an automated machining cell. The cells are small-scale, clearly defined production units, often for a family of similar parts or a product, and they typically include a robotic arm and one or more machine tools. These can include horizontal and vertical lathes, machining centers and grinders. The cell may also include a conveyor component.
What do you think of when you hear the word factory? Probably some huge space, with machines humming and personnel walking around with notepads in their hands.
For years, collet-type toolholder assembly and setup have relied on cumbersome, error-prone manual methods that waste time and money.
How do we turn all the data collected at each step of the manufacturing process into something usable?
Looking to improve operations and expand its aerospace business, M-1 Tools Works began working with Cimco, a CNC communication and networking software supplier. Today, M-1’s programmers can write programs and get them to any machine in its plant.
Metrology-grade laser scanners are expanding their range of applications. New users are finding the main attractions of laser scanners—speed and ease of use. What prevented more widespread use in the past were laser scanners’ perceived tradeoffs. Using one usually meant sacrificing accuracy or working with noisy data.
Manufacturing workers are financially stressed, which can lead to distractions on the job and increased absenteeism. Helping relieve some of that stress may lead to increased workforce productivity and can give you a strategic advantage in attracting and retaining key talent.
Sarasota County, FL is home to three of the seven largest manufacturers in the Tampa Bay region, according to an annual listing by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The hidden gem of manufacturing is a growing and important element in diversifying the local economy.