In electronics, specifically any device that does computing, you will run into the terms software and firmware. The difference between the two can be a little hard to define as they both, in general, refer to data stored within a hardware device. Software is most often meant to describe a program or piece of data…
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It was recently announced that Van Hool, a family-owned Belgian manufacturer of buses and other commercial vehicles, plans to break ground on a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Morristown, TN. The company’s goal is to bring over 600 jobs to East Tennessee and produce around 400 public transit buses per year. If various projections are…
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In the early days of manufacturing, we gave little thought to organizational culture. However, as workplace attitudes and our understanding of effective workplace policies have evolved, there have been many company culture examples where the right culture has contributed to easier recruitment, greater efficiency and a generally more positive work environment. If you manage a…
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A servo motor — also known as a servo — is an efficient and reliable motor you can control with precise movements with the right amount of desired output. The more you know about the systems and how they work, the more you’ll understand how to choose the right one for your specific application. When…
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Most of the time when we think of frequency in electronics, we think of sound. We know the difference between high and low frequencies such as the difference between a bass note and a soprano note. Frequency in sound relates to the number of vibrations detectable by our ears. The higher the amount of vibrations…
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We recently guessed at what President Trump’s then-proposed tariffs on metal imports could mean for the manufacturing landscape. Since that time, China has retaliated on these import tariffs to place tariffs of their own on U.S. imports. The U.S. government proposed another $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, and China has responded that they’ll…
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While manufacturing businesses can work on a need-to-know basis, this is often not the most effective road to success. Open communication in the workplace can be especially important in a small manufacturing business, where everyone needs to be on board and committed in order for the business to survive and grow. What are some ways…
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In 2017, manufacturing companies increased their use of industry 4.0 technologies — such as connected devices, big data analytics and automation — in an effort to increase productivity. And, they succeeded, according to a recent survey that found 77 percent of companies boosted their revenue by automating core parts of their operations. This helped them…
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Voltage, Amperage, Ohms, Henrys, Joules, Watts – there are many different and confusing terms related to electricity and for anyone who hasn’t specifically studied these concepts in school it can be a bit overwhelming. Each term represents a specific element of electrical theory with associated laws formulas which can be very difficult to grasp. A…
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While it’s certainly a sign of the future, additive manufacturing’s adoption rate has been slow to catch on in various industries. The United Parcel Service shows 3D printing as a market of more than $12 billion with projections to increase to over $20 in the next two years, but the practice represents less than a…
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