As a result of growing trade tensions between China and the United States, major players in the automobile industry have started to react and alter their importing and exporting plans. Volvo has operations in both the United States and China, producing the S60 sedan in its American plant and XC60 SUV and S90 sedan…
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Today’s industrial shift toward technology is dramatically changing the manufacturing landscape. Maintenance in particular has seen an early boon from the industrial internet of things (IIoT) and other innovating technologies aimed at reducing plant operational costs. But while factories may be using robust IIoT data and other technologies to improve their maintenance practices, the keen…
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It is impossible to overstate the importance of personal safety equipment in the workplace. Depending on your industry, it can be tempting to skip out on some of the items usually associated with personal protective equipment (PPE). Some workers may find it uncomfortable or inconvenient to wear certain PPE items. It is indeed cheaper for…
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Think about the car you drive to work each day. You know it better than anyone else does, including when it’s due for an oil change, what kind of gas mileage it gets, and what oddities you may have to contend with while driving it. Now, think about the machinery at your factory. Wouldn’t it…
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If you’ve ever felt like effort is disproportionate to outcome, you’re not alone. This phenomenon even has a name: the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 Rule. The premise is that an imbalance exists between effort and outcome, and identifying this imbalance can help you focus on doing what’s most important to flip the rule on…
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You know it as static electricity, but the more formal name is electrostatic discharge (ESD). When you get a shock to your system from electrostatic discharge, it can be surprising and unpleasant, but not particularly harmful. But what about the effect on your electronics? Do you need to take steps preventing ESD from damaging electronics? Sure, a…
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If there is one word that fills the owner or manager of a manufacturing plant with fear it’s probably “downtime.” Downtime throws the entire schedule out of whack. It disrupts workflow, throws schedules into chaos and, worst of all, costs money. What are the causes of downtime in manufacturing, and what are some effective downtime…
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As the calendar turns to winter, plenty of companies will be experiencing months of snowfall. All that snow requires pounds of rock salt to prevent falls on icy walkways and while employee safety is of the utmost concern during the snowy season, it’s important to keep the health of your machinery in mind. Salt is…
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In the factory environment, continuous improvement is part of the job. The factory that’s getting smarter, better, and faster is the factory that’s coming out ahead of its competition. In this highly competitive arena, the smallest differences give manufacturers the biggest edge. In this way, improving your industrial maintenance’s quality has the power to set…
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Designing a great circuit board is both a craft and an art, and thanks to today’s technology, there is a lot of excellent circuit design software out there to help you do it. The best circuit board design apps or software for you will depend on your level of experience and personal style. Different types…
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