There’s a lot to love about additive manufacturing. It has the power to lower costs, streamline repeatable processes, and take human intervention out of the equation. But as we all know by now, additive manufacturing also comes with a few barriers to implementation. This technology has never really reached its peak potential. That said, new…
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The rise of the industrial internet of things (IIoT) has come about so rapidly that many manufacturers are just now starting to understand its capabilities. Unfortunately, this also means some key aspects of integration have gone largely overlooked. Cybersecurity is among them, but it can’t be overlooked for much longer. If manufacturers want a hope…
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Downtime happens — often when we least expect it, and frequently at the most inconvenient times. In fact, nothing about downtime is convenient! It’s a mess, but it happens nonetheless. It’s best to make the most of a bad situation. The next time you’re dealing with unanticipated downtime, take a minute to look for the…
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Machine stress manifests in many different ways. Some problems are more distinct than others. Friction, for example, can be seen, heard, or even smelled! Other problems such as soft foot offer only subtle clues they’re occurring. In fact, a condition such as soft foot requires specific checking to make sure it’s not going unnoticed. It’s…
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The February 2019 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® has arrived, and with it comes a mixed bag of perspectives. The numbers show a continuing cool-off spanning the industry. In defiance of these figures, however, manufacturers’ spirits are up and optimism about the industry is running high. Let’s take a look at both sides of the…
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Understanding how efficient your maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) strategy is can yield a lot of insight. Examining costs not only unlocks opportunities for improvement but can also show you where regression may be present. Specifically, an assessment can help explain why good maintenance strategies result in net negatives for your business. When they do,…
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All it takes is a single part failure or mechanical malfunction to bring your factory operations to a screeching standstill. As soon as production stops, the scramble to set things right begins. Factories without an emergency repair plan in place will quickly find themselves under pressure to remedy the issue. Unfortunately, they may end up…
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Factory automation has been around for decades. Today’s automation technology is better than ever, thanks largely to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and better sensors. In fact, sensor technology is a driving force behind advancements in factory automation, enabling smarter processes and better variability in designing repeatable functions. Simple sensors are powering a wave of improvements…
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It seems like automakers are always in the news — usually not for good reasons! This time, however, the headlines are positive as several of the world’s largest manufacturers announce major reinvestments in production. Specifically, GM, Ford, Honda, and Toyota are plunging big budgets into new manufacturing facilities and practices. With these investments comes a…
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As skilled positions, maintenance and repair jobs evolve in tandem with manufacturing technologies. There’s always something new to learn! Your techs may be educated, but unless they keep pursuing education, their skills may suffer. The smartest thing manufacturers can do is provide their maintenance and repair teams with access and opportunities to ongoing education, as…
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