From airplanes to replacement machine parts, additive manufacturing, aka 3-D printing, is making an impact — and may have some longevity. It’s become so popular, in fact, that individuals are buying 3-D printers for their homes. The 3-D printers manufacturers use, however, are much larger and made for more than printing plastic models, but how…
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What is a business process? To put it simply, a process is a series of required steps that are clearly defined to complete a business task. A successful process clearly defines who is responsible for the completion of each step, when it must be done and how it should be done. Having a clear defined…
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A skills gap is likely to leave 2 million manufacturing jobs unfilled over the next eight years, leaving many manufacturers concerned about the future of their industry. Although robotics and other technological advancements are making an impact, educated and well-trained manufacturers are still necessary to operate these and perform additional tasks on the plant floor….
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Machines and systems at every production plant need regular service to achieve optimal performance. Some organization leaders consider spare parts, extra lubricants and filters, and even safety equipment as added expenses. Those who keep a ready parts and consumables supply available, however, can prevent unnecessary and costly production stoppages. Machines and parts will eventually fail; a maintenance,…
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When working on a manufacturing floor, safety is paramount. Accidents can happen at any time due to human carelessness or machine malfunction. You can always send out for equipment repairs if a machine breaks down, but repair services cannot help you if your workers are injured. It’s very important that there is a clear safety protocol…
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How many times have we performed an action, without thinking about what we’re doing? Driven home and realized we don’t remember the past five minutes of the drive, switched to autopilot and performed actions by muscle memory without thinking about what we’re doing? Did you put the cap back on the toothpaste? When we perform…
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Hot summer months are just around the corner, which means more energy will be needed to keep facilities (and employees) cool as well as keep machinery from overheating. If you don’t build increased energy consumption into your budgets, the hottest months of the year can seriously affect finances. There are many manufacturing processes which can’t…
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Motors are big investments and pains for company accountants to work around when they need replacement. Though motors and their lifespans have improved over the years, they’re still susceptible to failure. Maintaining your motors can save you a pretty penny in the long run. In fact, 51% of motor failures are related to improper bearing use. Luckily,…
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Your machines are the lifeblood of your operation, and you want them working at maximum possible efficiency all the time. One way to make that more likely and avoid unexpected breakdowns is through a regular maintenance schedule. The Importance of Scheduled Maintenance When your machines are working the way they should, it’s tempting just to…
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Summer is just around the corner, and manufacturing leaders need to think safety first — regardless of the season. Still, following some specific seasonal tips can go a long way toward keeping you and your employees safe on and off the manufacturing plant floor. In addition to increased heat and humidity in many places, many…
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