In the aerospace world, as in all sectors of manufacturing, the race is on for faster, more automated and connected machining operations. Aerospace builders have steadily pushed for more automotive-like automation over the past several years in order to improve productivity and more effectively handle large order backlogs in commercial aviation.
New work materials are developed continually to improve the capabilities of finished parts, making them lighter and stronger, among other properties. When these materials catch on, cutting tools must adapt to their often challenging properties.
It is common sense—a vehicle that weighs less requires less fuel to move it. A number of studies show that reducing the mass of a vehicle by 10% results in anywhere from 4.5 to 6% better fuel economy—well worth the effort.
From Boeing 787s to new Navy destroyers, fiber-reinforced composites are gaining in use. As production scales up, more-efficient manufacturing remains a focus. One key to that efficiency is tooling for composites. These molds and forms give the final shape to a part, and are often integral to their final curing.
Manufacturing Sector Faces Ninth Consecutive Month of Contraction, but Hints of Hope Emerge
3D Systems announced an expansion of its plastics materials portfolio.
There’s much more to leveraging production data than its capture and analysis; there’s also
integration with the company’s other software systems and the strategic perspective that results.
For three decades, Darin Gray has spent his days teaching young people to share ideas, learn cool stuff, and above all, make a difference
The additive manufacturing industry is on the cusp of designer materials, purpose-built powders that provide specific attributes either during the 3D-printing process or in the final part.
Solutions for ceramic machining—and machining ceramics.