In 1913, Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line, sparking a radical transformation in the way automakers built cars. Ford brought cars to the masses, transforming not only manufacturing but also society forever. Over 100 years later, we’re witnessing another manufacturing revolution — with manufacturers bringing groundbreaking innovations onto plant floors every year. One…
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In the manufacturing industry, having people with the right talents and desires can significantly impact your success. Employees who fit your culture and possess problem-solving skills are crucial to your ability to produce quality products. Many manufacturers are finding that recruiting and hiring top talent to fill positions is challenging in today’s competitive job market….
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If you’re a manager, you have almost certainly heard about the concept of SMART goals. But you may feel they do not apply to your particular industry. The truth is almost any industry can benefit from SMART goals when you implement them appropriately. If you’re a manager, you have almost certainly heard about the concept of…
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At the heart of troubleshooting a motor control system is the faults displayed by the drives HIM module itself. Of course, today’s VFDS come equipped with dozens if not hundreds of possible faults. Everything from frequency fluctuations, communication or positioning errors can be detected with ease. Knowing what each and every one of these errors…
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For many manufacturing facilities, the change from summer to fall and winter brings with it increased energy costs as plant operators look to maintain steady operating conditions and keep costs under control. Here are five ways you can control your facility’s energy consumption during the coldest parts of the calendar year. 1. Reduce air…
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As computer-controlled machines replace manual labor on factory floors, company leaders are hiring a more diverse set of skilled workers than ever before. Manufacturing employees must now wield a combination of skills, including troubleshooting automated machinery, reading manufacturing blueprints, and writing mechanical programming code. Many arrive on the job with newly-minted manufacturing, supply chain, or…
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While the floor manager is the leader of your team, leaders within the team can be very important. Leaders take initiative, keep a cool head and can direct others in stressful situations when they aren’t sure what to do. When you have leaders on your team, you want to foster their skills. But first you…
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Today’s manufacturing climate demands higher productivity than ever before. Many company leaders are maintaining a competitive edge by automating more of their processes, requiring plant managers to keep up with the demands of a growing array of modern equipment. It can be difficult to stay ahead of equipment breakdowns, let alone reap the benefits of…
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Hydraulic systems are common in many industries, including manufacturing, because they enable workers to perform a diverse range of operations via remote control. But they’re deceptively powerful machines, storing approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch of hot liquid under immense pressure. And safety training is often not required for people who work on or around…
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Customer service can be challenging. Rarely do you answer the phone to find someone happy on the other end. You’re often shuttling from call to call of frustrated, disgruntled clients who often demand satisfaction before even explaining the problem. Here are two inspirational customer service stories that might make your customer service team feel better…
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