Lean Efforts Capture the Shingo November 1, 2007 A subsidiary of HNI Corp. (Mustacine, IA), the second-largest manufacturer of office furniture in North America, Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT; Mt. Pleasant, IA) manufactures sheetmetal fireplaces (both wood and gas-burning), vent pipe, and fireplace accessories. The company has four manufacturing facilities.
Automation in Lean Manufacturing July 1, 2007 Common misperceptions about lean manufacturing and automation systems lead many manufacturing managers to dismiss the use of automation in a lean setting.
Lean at NUMMI September 1, 2005 To remain competitive in the fiercely contested North American automotive industry, the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI, Fremont, CA) assembly plant, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corp. (Aichi Prefecture, Japan) and General Motors Corp. (Detroit), has rededicated its efforts in lean manufacturing during the past few years by applying key tenets of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
Targeting the Skills Gap in Forming and Fabricating July 24, 2020 As in other industries, U.S. forming and fabricating companies are experiencing a critical shortage of skilled labor. In this SME Media podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Robert Tessier, National Director of Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Airgas about the skills gap in the forming and fabricating industry; changes needed in the education system to fill the need for skilled labor; how automation factors into efforts to reduce the skills gap; and efforts at Airgas to develop workers for manufacturing operations, including a special program for military veterans.
Tackling Downtime and Inefficiencies with Software November 20, 2019 Turning to software over paper reports does more than just save trees. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with David McPhail, President and CEO of Memex Inc., about how manufacturers can utilize technology to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and boost productivity and profits across their business.
AI Speeds Manufacturing Supply Chains February 9, 2023 To win the supply chain battle, manufacturers need accurate insights into inventory and operational processes
CNC Turning Technology Targets Its Many Facets September 20, 2023 Uncover the latest innovations reshaping CNC turning and precision manufacturing. Delve into advanced tooling solutions, strategies for automation, trochoidal turning methods, and the seamless fusion of milling and turning processes through CNC control technology. These advancements are designed to enhance productivity and efficiency in machining operations.
6 Ways Robots are Changing Manufacturing August 15, 2023 Experts weigh in on the impact of robotics on productivity and the people who advance manufacturing.
Understanding A.I.’s Purpose and Potential August 18, 2023 Elon Musk's xAI: From AI Skeptic to Enthusiast
Robots, Cobots and Humanoids, Oh My! August 15, 2023 The benefits and challenges of human-robot collaboration