A parting line is the place on a product or component where two or more molds met during the casting process. A number of considerations go into the placement of the parting line, with the goal of maintaining the overall integrity of the piece. Typically, as part of the finishing process, ma

A manufacturing execution system is a software-based system used to manage manufacturing and production operations in factories. The system uses a network of computers to monitor and help manage events taking place on the factory floor. A manufacturing execution system is considered a level-

Manufacturing operations management oversees all stages of production from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished goods. Operations managers usually scrutinize every level of the manufacturing process to streamline and improve production. Effective managers are able to

A factory tour is a public tour of a business facility, sometimes offered as part of a public relations strategy. Contrary to the name, a factory tour does not have to take place in a factory; farms, entertainment venues, and wineries may also offer tours to visitors. A factory tour is a fun

In industry, a furniture market refers to a large exhibition by furniture manufacturers and design companies for other professionals in the furniture trade. A furniture market is a chance for exhibitors to show their wares to potential buyers, who may decide to stock their stores from a vari

Cutting fluid is a compound available for use in machining metal to lubricate and cool the metal while a worker cuts and shapes it. With a few exceptions, people like to work metal “wet,” with cutting fluid, because it is safer and easier than working with metal in a dry state. Numerous comp

When blast mining, there are a number of procedures that can be used to create the necessary access through the rock or other substance. Holes are drilled into the surface in a strategic pattern and explosives are inserted to achieve the desired blast pattern. A fan cut is one type of drilli

G-code is a collection of codes or functions that are part of numerical control or NC programming language. The Electronic Industries Alliance developed the earliest versions of this type of NC coding during the 1960’s. Serving as the standard CNC in the United States, the coding has undergo

Rapid prototyping is a computer program that constructs three-dimensional models of work derived from a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing. It is used to quickly and easily turn product designs into physical samples. The creation of physical samples with this method is achieved through Adob

A sheetmetal brake is a piece of equipment used to bend or shape metal. There are numerous instances in which a sheetmetal brake is regularly used, but they all involve the shaping of metal. Examples of industries in which a sheetmetal brake is frequently used include commercial siding and w

Inventors or scientists who create new machines or manufacturing processes may wish to patent their discoveries. The kind of patent they would use is called a mechanical patent. With a mechanical patent, the inventor may be able to maintain exclusive rights for his or her invention.

Concurrent engineering is a method used in product development. It is different than the traditional product development approach in that it employs simultaneous, rather than sequential, processes. By completing tasks in parallel, product development can be accomplished more efficiently and

Advanced manufacturing is the process of mass producing products on demand, using the latest technology maintain efficiency. Though most manufacturing processes can be easily executed by what has been traditionally referred to as unskilled labor, this higher level of manufacturing requires s

Laser etching is the process of using a laser beam to permanently cut an image or pattern into a hard material, such as glass, wood or metal. For large projects, the size, depth and location of the pattern is typically programmed into a computer that controls the laser. The strength of the l

The ethanol industry is one that has seen huge growth as it grew out of its infancy, followed by a leveling off as it matured. While the industry and its process hold some promise in helping to stem the use of fossil fuels, it is going through a series of growing pains caused mainly by price

Ion implantation has applications in several different industries, most notably in the making of semiconductors. An ion implant is an ion of a particular element, placed in its surrounding material for the purpose of changing the electrical or surface properties of the material. Some common

The parts or sections that compose the typical pipe production line will vary somewhat, depending on the type of piping that is being manufactured. While there are subtle differences between the production process for metal pipes and plastic pipes, there are a few basic stages that will appl

It is very difficult to properly dispose of rubber tires from vehicles, since these rubber objects contain a significant amount of void space. This means landfills will fill up very quickly, and the empty space can harbor vermin, allow mosquito breeding, and even trap methane gas. A tire rec

Assembly workstations vary widely based on the products internal and external construction, including printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, mechanical construction, and outside housing production. Workstations can either be automated with robotics or designed as a manual worker area for

Some of the best tips for production line management include worker positioning, use of automation, and increasing employee motivation. Production lines depend on both human and machine interaction for a profitable manufacturing business; however, the lines overall design and structure can c