Due to their cost, outfitting maintenance personnel with a thermal imaging camera was once too expensive to be practical. But as technology advances, thermal or IR cameras are becoming increasingly affordable and have a definite place in any maintenance managers arsenal. Of all the inspection tools we could cover, it is hard to beat the…
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A few days ago, Toyota and Mazda announced the city that will house their new $1.6B joint manufacturing facility: Huntsville, Alabama. While the choice might seem surprising, the plant will be situated less than 20 miles away from an existing Toyota engine plant, making logistical networks a key factor in the decision. Alabama is home…
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“Satisfaction Guaranteed” is a phrase salespeople often toss around casually to entice would-be customers, but what does it look like in practice? Those who know the value of a good service guarantee also understand its importance. In today’s world, social media allows users to share any firsthand accounts of service — good or bad —…
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Technology has reinvented manufacturing time and time again. From the assembly line that allowed rapid mass production of products to the use of robots that increased precision and speed and enhanced safety, each successive technological jump has meant great things for manufacturing. The next big technological advance to revolutionize manufacturing may well be machine learning…
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2017 ended as a stellar year for manufacturing job growth and 2018 looks to follow suit. The numbers are telling: In December 2017 alone, manufacturers hired 25,000 workers. Sizeable workforce additions and newly implemented tax reforms are just some of the factors bolstering industry optimism, which may in turn boost the economy. This is encouraging manufacturing…
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As U.S. manufacturers gear up for another year, many would do well to take a look at what their German counterparts are doing. According to the IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), Germany’s growth in manufacturing hit an all-time record high in December. And it’s not unique to 2017. In fact, Germans have been increasing their…
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If you’re in the manufacturing business, you’ve probably already heard about Industry 4.0. Maybe your business even uses Industry 4.0 practices already. But now you’re hearing murmuring about Industry 5.0. What is Industry 5.0 — and are there innovations that you can expect from it when it comes to manufacturing? What Is Industry 4.0? First,…
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The first quarter of the year has started and you want to make an impact to your companies bottom line. What better way than putting your current purchasing approach under the magnifying glass? Here are three purchasing strategies that will hopefully cut costs without sacrificing quality. 2018 is here and it’s time to get lean…
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In mid-2017, Tesla began ramping up production of their Model 3, an electric sedan with an economical price point of $35,000 to reach a broader customer base. In July, CEO Elon Musk predicted that his factories would be producing more than 20,000 vehicles per month by the end of the calendar year. As the calendar…
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Robotics are the wave of the future in today’s industrial world. Manufacturers can automate many processes and supply around-the-clock workforces with the help of robotics. And introducing robotics into manufacturing processes has many additional benefits. These machines can improve safety and take over mundane tasks, leaving manufacturing professionals free to do more in-depth work. In addition…
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