Heavy-duty robotic welding cells can be a great first step May 21, 2020 Like many technologies in manufacturing and fabrication today, welding operations have evolved to be more automated, flexible, adaptive, and “smarter” for improved throughput, safety and deposition accuracy.
How Bright is the Future of Automation? April 17, 2020 In the 1955 short story “Autofac,” Philip K. Dick envisioned a world dominated by self-replicating robots that work incessantly, eventually depleting the planet’s resources.
Intelligent Toolholder Controls Cutting in Real Time April 15, 2020 Vibrations, chatter marks, and tool failure are all problems that can be prevented with intelligent monitoring and feedback systems.
Tooling Technology Past, Present and Future April 14, 2020 The history of cutting tools goes back a ways—a long, long way. Our prehistoric ancestors were pretty good at making stone tools, and the technology has improved from there. I saw how much on a February visit to the Deutsches Museum in Munich, which has an exhibit on the history of machining.
Hitachi Powdered Metals Embraces Robotic Automation, Boosts Volume 400 percent in Tight Labor Market March 30, 2020 Hitachi Powdered Metals (USA) Inc. began a gradual investment in industrial robots at their Greensburg, Ind. plant in 2005, driven by the emergence of a tightening labor market and the opportunity to produce an extremely fragile product.
Methods to Host TechDay2020 at Phoenix and Los Angeles Technical Centers March 3, 2020 Methods Machine Tools Inc. is hosting TechDay2020 – Phoenix on March 24th-25th and TechDay2020 – Los Angeles on March 26th. TechDay2020 is an open house style event where attendees will be able to attend multiple seminars, see individual product demonstrations, and talk with Methods Engineers about machine tool and automation applications that are specific to their business.
New YG-1 Fiberglass Routers Designed to Machine Composites Better, Faster March 4, 2020 YG-1 has launched four new solid-carbide fiberglass routers for CNC or hand routers to handle machining processes for fiberglass and other high-performance fibers. The new routers are optimized in composition, cutting angles, flute strength and stability for longer life and lower cost per part, according to the company.
How Factory Intelligence is Evolving May 11, 2018 Intelligent factories have existed since manufacturing’s historical inception, but intelligence—defined as the acquisition and application of manufacturing knowledge—resided only with the factory’s staff.
Report Urges US Investment in Manufacturing June 14, 2018 A new report urges the United States invest in emerging manufacturing technologies, saying the private sector can’t preserve US manufacturing by itself.
IIoT: From Catchphrase to Reality June 27, 2018 There are plenty of manufacturing catchphrases: the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industry 4.0 and the Digital Factory. “Sometimes it’s a lot of buzzwords. Sometimes there’s a lot of reality behind it,” said Roger Hart, research and development manager of Siemens (Berlin and Munich, Germany).