A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical shutoff switch that protects circuits from overcurrent. Overcurrent, or excess amperage, can come from an overload of the circuit, short-circuiting, an arc fault or a ground fault. Circuit breakers make use of the increased heat or magnetic field from the current and use it to trip the circuit. Circuit breakers have been…
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It’s no secret companies have been investing for years in practices that save energy, reduce costs, cut down on waste byproducts and generally move towards more of an environmental business model. Just recently, however, some big brands have announced new manufacturing plans or celebrated milestones revolved around eco-friendly design and production. Just this week, Starbucks…
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Switchgear is vital to many of our daily actions: Using our computers, switching on our lights, and running our businesses. Switchgear may function behind the scenes, but this manufacturing industry sector is seeing rapid growth around the world. What does this expansion mean for the future of switchgear manufacturing and power generation? What exactly is…
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On-the-job training and competitive skills have always been valuable to those learning their trades, and automobile assembly and engineering are no exceptions. However, with manufacturers increasingly using robotics and computing in the automotive industry, what can individual facility employees and their employers do to navigate? BMW, Siemens, and Clemson University leaders are starting with education….
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The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) kicked off a 10-day State of Manufacturing Tour in February. Touring manufacturing representatives visited eight states and several manufacturing sites to share opportunities in manufacturing and the importance of the industry. NAM has been conducting this tour for the past four years, and it offers a chance for “telling…
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We recently discussed Tesla Model 3 production setbacks due to battery and logistical issues, which caused the company to meet production numbers far short of their goals. A new CNBC report illustrates the problem is far greater than simply meeting demand and working out logistics, as faulty and flawed parts are part of the bigger…
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The things that are possible with today’s 3-D printing techniques are truly phenomenal. But can 3-D printers be an effective mass production tool? The use of 3-D printing materials, also called additive manufacturing, is carving out a growing section of the manufacturing space. But how feasible is it for mass production? The answer varies depending…
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When it comes to team management, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different leadership styles may work better in different situations. Even in a manufacturing environment, vastly different management styles can produce equally strong results. A good manager learns to develop an arsenal of management tools to help them get their team to be the best…
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Elon Musk made early 2018 headlines for the flashy act of launching a car into space. It might seem counterintuitive to hear the same man making claims about how his company, Tesla, is going to become the most efficient car manufacturer in the world. After all, the elaborate and expensive event of space travel doesn’t…
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At industrial facilities, vast numbers of electronically operated machines are programmed to move in various directions. None of this would be possible without a programmable logic controller (PLC), which translates commands for machines to understand. On machines, a user will push a button to activate a particular command. However, the machine itself has no way…
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