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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An important new deal for manufacturers to keep an eye on is the Blackstone and Walter Surface Technologies agreement. So far, 2018 has seen a number of interesting arrangements between companies, and this is one of the more exciting, both for the companies involved and for those affected by the deal. Water Surface Technologies, a…
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The age of big data is here and, more than ever before, manufacturers are using what they know to influence how they’re running their operations. In smart factories everywhere, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) is providing insights that are truly revolutionizing the way we work. Maintenance is one segment of manufacturing that’s getting a…
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When the time comes to repair a piece of machinery, you’ll need to ask yourself many important questions. Do I have the right tools to fix it? What parts do I need to perform the service? How long will the machine be inoperable? And, while these are all imperative to ask, the most important question…
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In manufacturing, especially working with metal materials, one of the most common pieces of machinery you’ll have around the plant is the good old fashion welder. They range from very sophisticated robotic welding cells to very simple portable hobby style units. Whatever the case, the welders are ubiquitous in most metal working processes. And while welders…
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In the new era of business, customer satisfaction is more important than ever before. It is no longer sufficient just to make a great product. Today’s consumers have access to a nearly unlimited range of choices thanks to the internet, as well as the ability to express their satisfaction — or lack thereof — via…
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Hurricane Florence is set to make landfall on the Eastern seaboard of the United States this weekend, potentially causing heavy damage throughout the Carolinas and Virginia. As we did last year on multiple occasions, it’s a good time to revisit safety measures in production facilities when dealing with a hurricane. Ahead of…
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During a critical time in young adults’ lives — generally as they get to the end of their high school careers — they must make decisions about what they’re going to do for a living someday. Having some semblance of career goals can help them determine everything from where to apply for college to which…
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You cannot be in the manufacturing business for very long these days without hearing about “lean manufacturing.” For many, lean manufacturing seems to be the obvious way of the future. However, some think it is just a fad, while others fear it or simply don’t quite understand it. No matter which category you fall into,…
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We rely heavily on machinery to propel our modern world forward. From the monolithic machines that assemble car parts to the little robot that zooms around your house while cleaning your floors, machines exist to make work easier for humans. But while machines are great for repetitive, intense labor, they lack human intuition or adaptability….
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