Manufacturing firms constantly have to weigh their options when it comes to where and how products and materials are sourced. From shipping costs and worker overhead to logistics and quality control, much needs to be considered when choosing to outsource or insource parts of the manufacturing process. Here are some pros and cons of insourcing…
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It’s becoming more common for companies to set up strategic distribution centers around the country as a means of shortening logistics chains and getting finished products in the hands of customers in record time, sometimes even on the same day. In the growing age of e-commerce, time is of the essence. Property owners are paying…
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Not long ago, 3D printing was the biggest up-and-coming trend in the manufacturing world. Far-fetched grandiose ideas hinged on the concept of material extrusion and the potential for rapid manufacturing through automated printing. Unfortunately, a single issue was enough to deter many at the forefront of 3D printing. As it turns out, heating and extruding…
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Guide to the DC Motor Direct current (DC) motors initially came into use during the early 1800s. Developed by Hungarian engineer Ányos Jedlik, the instrument was soon adapted by physicist William Sturgeon and blacksmith Thomas Davenport, who made the first efforts to market the DC motor. However, the DC motor as it is known today…
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The American Industrial Revolution started around 1790 and continued through the 1830s. The shift from an agrarian to a manufacturing society didn’t happen overnight, and each subsequent shift in our economy has taken its own time to play out. We’re amid another transition: The transition to Industry 4.0. Called the Fourth Industrial Revolution because of…
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In the year of an escalating trade war and record-setting employment levels, the manufacturing economy continues to barrel on with a full head of steam. The 2018 August ISM® Report On Business® shows clear, continuing, positive trends for manufacturers. The strength of these numbers continues to overshadow concerns of a pullback amidst the volatile political…
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How is the manufacturing industry changing, and what will the future of manufacturing look like? If you are in the manufacturing business, it is in your best interest to anticipate the coming changes so you can take fast action and stay ahead of your competition. Here are five new technological trends that are poised to…
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We all know that automation and robots are crucial to machine work in the 21st century. Manufacturing companies hiring robots in 2018, or, more accurately, buying or constructing robots, is nothing new. Most of the time these robots are merely just thought of like any other machine, such as the machines operated by CNC controllers. Fitzpatrick…
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We have a huge cybersecurity skills gap in this country. It’s not surprising, as cybersecurity is still a relatively new field, but it is alarming. Reports suggest that there will be over one and a half million unfilled cybersecurity positions by 2020. That’s a huge shortage. How to Fix the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Are there…
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The idea of bringing in outside help on a contract basis may not be something manufacturers want to think about. The logistics alone of working with contract partners can be daunting — not to mention complicated with variables like facility access, sensitive information management, or outside partner coordination. Often, the easiest solution is to handle…
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