Use-based maintenance beats alternatives hands down July 18, 2017 Unplanned downtime and production loss due to equipment failure is one of the leading losses for manufacturers. Most shops perform maintenance on a fixed schedule or on failure. This means a machine will be maintained regardless of how often it is used and unexpected breakdowns will stop production.
Five signs companies aren’t fully maximizing AM’s potential July 18, 2017 With additive manufacturing (AM) as an established part of many companies’ product development and manufacturing processes, there has been a greater understanding of the technology’s technical and business advantages. With that, more users are benefitting from lighter and more durable parts, increased design freedom and on-demand part production.
Mazak iSMART Factory Initiative Spreads to Japan Plant July 13, 2017 Mazak Corp. (Florence, KY) continues its steady advance toward the complete factory digitization of all its manufacturing operations with the recent transformation of its Oguchi, Japan, facility into yet another Mazak iSMART Factory.
Siemens Partners with Singapore to Establish Digitalization Hub July 13, 2017 To address the growing opportunities in urbanization and in Asia, Siemens will be setting up a Digitalization Hub in Singapore. At this Hub, Siemens will develop innovations for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrie 4.0 in collaboration with its customers in Southeast Asia.
‘Digital factory’ could take flight on back of robotics, simulation July 12, 2017 After years of hype, the digital factory—the comprehensive integration of data from development, production and suppliers via new hardware and software meant to increase efficiency—is gradually becoming a reality.
In praise of apprenticeships and robotics ‘roadmaps’ July 12, 2017 All the hand-wringing around robotics and jobs in the US really needs to stop. It’s astounding that manufacturers here are still fighting this battle.
Entrust Datacard Secures IoT with ioTrust Security Solution July 12, 2017 Entrust Datacard (Minneapolis), a leading provider of trusted identity and secure transaction technology solutions, announced the introduction of the Entrust Datacard ioTrust Security Solution.
New 3D Printer Makes Fully Isotropic Parts, Virtually Eliminates Post-Processing July 11, 2017 One of the “dirty secrets” of 3D printing is the universal need to take additional steps to render the output usable, including removing the part from its support, curing the part, or improving the surface. Aside from additional cycle time and cost, these steps often require or emit toxic chemicals, necessitating special ventilation and making them unsuitable for a standard office environment. For example, parts built with fused deposition modeling (FDM) must spend about four to eight hours in a heated, agitated sodium hydroxide bath.
Automation Cell Integrates 3D Printing with Post-Process Machining July 10, 2017 Methods Machine Tools Inc. (Sudbury, MA), a leading supplier of precision machine tools, 3D printing technology and automation, recently introduced an automation cell designed to greatly boost 3D manufacturing throughput.
GE Now a User and a Major Seller of AM Technology July 10, 2017 General Electric Co. (Boston) has been very public about its use of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to build critical jet engine components, starting with the fuel nozzle for its LEAP engine.
