Digital Twin and the Smart Enterprise August 25, 2020 Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine in this podcast engages in a wide ranging discussion on Digital Twin technology with Ron Beck, Marketing Strategy Director for Aspen Technology, Inc.
The Importance Of Being Able To Pivot August 17, 2020 Crean Inc. President James Crean discusses the post-pandemic future of manufacturing. His firm has been helping companies implement smart manufacturing tech so they can be more flexible and able to pivot, whenever necessary. Supply chains need to be brought back to the U.S., in part because of mass customization and “Amazon-time” demands, he says. He also prescribes ways for smaller companies to take advantage of demand shifts in the marketplace.
Fusion OEM Embraces Cobots, Invests In Future Expert Machinists July 6, 2020 Craig Zoberis and Davin Erickson detail how Fusion OEM discovered and implemented collaborative robots, or cobots. The company is now investing in future expert machinists by using cobots—and making headway in closing the manufacturing industry skills gap. They explain the phases of training for cobots, as well as how cobots “talk” with other machines—and how machines perform “handshakes” (and are therefore envied by humans who today are struggling with social distancing).
Microsoft Exec On Ways To Do Well Despite COVID-19 Crisis June 29, 2020 Diego Tamburini, principal industry lead for manufacturing in the cloud + AI division of Microsoft, reviews the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in manufacturing. He shares his thoughts about how the industry should respond—and lists the attributes of manufacturers best positioned to survive the crisis. Finally, he outlines new opportunities for developers of smart manufacturing software solutions under the “new normal.”
Exactly How to Use Automation to Relieve Pressure September 16, 2020 Catalytic CEO Sean Chou explains the difference between process automation and robotic automation, as well as what it looks like to use automation to augment existing workflows. Importantly, he describes how manufacturers can use automation to do more with less—to lessen supply chain pressures that have grown because of globalization and the Covid-19 crisis. And he details which processes manufacturers can automate to optimize resources and productivity.
How Manufacturers Can Cope with COVID-19 While Becoming More Resilient July 24, 2020 COVID-19 has been a major challenge for manufacturers, not only in dealing with the economic fallout but also in how to keep operating while maintaining employee safety. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Robert Tessier, National Director of Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Airgas, about how companies can become more resilient and competitive during the COVID-19 pandemic; how they can enforce social distancing and use PPE to protect the health of employees, and with COVID-19 creating furloughs and reduction in force layoffs, consider how to recruit talent that fits their long-term needs.
How to Optimize the Grinding Process August 26, 2020 Grinding is a vital process for manufacturing and finishing precision parts, but some manufacturers overlook some of the key ways they can improve the grinding process. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Doug Henke, technical specialist for DCM Tech, serving the South & Southeastern United States and Mexico, about the main reasons a manufacturer should take the time to optimize their grinding processes; the root causes of some common grinding problems; high level optimization tips for grinding operators; and how selecting the proper abrasive can be a difficult task but is essential.
Autonomous Mobile Robots Drive Manufacturing Versatility September 3, 2020 Robotics have come a long way since the first industrial robot was installed at General Motors. Denise Ebenhoech, Regional Head of Advanced Robotics Applications at KUKA Robotics, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to discuss recent developments within mobile robots. From cleans rooms to job shops to moving entire airplane assemblies, autonomous mobile robots are helping manufacturers succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing landscape.
Pandemic Makes Case for More Automation, Robotics September 21, 2020 Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine article: Pandemic makes case for more automation, robotics. Outbreak poised to prompt changes in the way manufacturers use automation.
The Growing Role of Automation in Finishing Operations July 15, 2020 Finishing operations have traditionally been manual, but automation and robotics are making major inroads in this key manufacturing process. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Normand Stoycheff, Business Development Manager for AV&R, and Giovanni Bevilacqua, Business Development Manager also with AV&R about emerging trends in automation/robotics; the main reasons allowing robotics to evolve from traditional pick-and-drop usage to more elaborate processes; how robots help the surface finishing process throughout the industry; and how surface finishing operations are developing the capability to inspect and repair.