Modern manufacturing is a data-driven endeavor. The sheer volume of data available to be collected and analyzed is staggering—and something that couldn’t have been envisioned even 20 years ago. It directly contributes to improved productivity and supports advanced decision-makin

Powdered Metallurgy (PM), or sintering, is the process of compacting custom blends of elemental or alloy powders in prefabricated dies to efficiently make machine parts of varying complexity. Once compacted, the shapes are heated in a controlled atmosphere furnace to bond the particles and har

On March 31, 2020 Marposs introduced its AxiCheck software package. The software includes a graphic interface that analyzes data collected with Marposs probes, processing it in a graphic format to easily determine the operating state of the machine its installed on. AxiCheck helps increase

ABB announced on April 8, 2020 a graphical programming method designed to enable users to quickly create robot application programs for ABB’s single-arm YuMi collaborative robot, without the need for specialized training. This easy programming software is built on the concept of Block

Boston, Mass., April 9, 2020—Universal Robots (UR) has launched ActiNav, a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that simplifies the integration of autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement in machines using UR cobots. ActiNav synchronously handles vision proces

In the 1955 short story “Autofac,” Philip K. Dick envisioned a world dominated by self-replicating robots that work incessantly, eventually depleting the planet’s resources. Autofac is already happening in some manufacturing facilities, where robots work 24/7 with little to n

The recent coronavirus pandemic has caused the closure of many manufacturing companies and technical schools, leaving them in the position of having to implement a plan B. However, for technical skills training, a comprehensive plan B is hard to find with the move to fully remote learning expo

FABTECH 2019, held Nov. 11-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago, featured multiple educational opportunities for attendees. A key feature of the FABTECH educational program, and one open free to all attendees, were the Leadership Exchange Panels. On November 12 in the Lakeside Center Theater, a

INDIANAPOLIS – Hurco Companies Inc. has partnered with BMO Automation to provide customers a tested automation solution that requires minimal integration, according to the companies. “Our customers tell us that ‘finding qualified machinists’ is the primary impediment

Greenville, S.C. – At a grand opening ceremony on Nov. 5, Fives DyAG Corp. (Smart Automation Solutions Division) celebrated the inauguration of its new center of competency for controls engineering in Greenville, South Carolina. The new facility replaces Fives DyAG Corp.’s previ

Industrial automation can seem like magic, especially when used in assembly operations. Learn what you need to about the basics to help in your next automation project. Servomechanisms are at the heart of 21st century automation. The basic elements are a servomotor; a device to convert rotary

West Chester, Ohio – Fastems LLC has launched three new products to enable educational institutions and manufacturing enterprises to benefit from its advanced Digital Manufacturing (DM) solutions for factory automation. In addition to functioning as a classroom teaching and learning tool

The “Global Robotics Report 2019” found that 79 percent of automation distributors do not believe their customers understand the safety requirements of installing a collaborative robot, or cobot. Because cobots are one of the fastest growing sectors of the robot market, this lack o

Marposs, a provider of measurement, inspection and test technologies, announced on Feb. 26 its new Artis GEMDS system. The system uses data from a non-contact eddy current sensor to provide real-time monitoring of spindle elongation on machine tools due to temperature changes or other causes o

Sudbury, Mass. – Methods Machine Tools Inc. is hosting TechDay2020 – Phoenix on March 24th-25th and TechDay2020 – Los Angeles on March 26th. TechDay2020 is an open house style event where attendees will be able to attend multiple seminars, see individual product demonstration

BLM GROUP USA announced on March 17, 2020 the enhancement of its E-FORM tube end forming machine with a fully CNC electric rolling device. This device provides maximum precision and repeatability in part production. The punches of the E-FORM reach up to 10 tons of force, molding tubes up to 30

FIELD INTELLIGENCE: Smart Processes, Solutions & Strategies As advanced automation and digitization permeate the industrial landscape, tech-savvy companies are striving to create value-added products that foster growth for customers. This has led to unique developments, including three-dim

As a provider of Quality Manufacturing Systems software, we frequently see challenges faced by manufacturers with collecting data and turning it into useful, real-time, information. So how do we turn all the data collected at each step of the manufacturing process into something usable? Today&

A mobile fleet of Universal Robots now receives daily work orders to solve ever-changing tasks for high-mix/low-volume electronics manufacturer Scott Fetzer Electrical Group (SFEG; Fairview, TN). Supplied by Universal Robots USA Inc. (East Setauket, NY; Odense, Denmark), the collaborative UR r

In a broad-ranging display of high-precision manufacturing proficiencies, Murata Machinery USA demonstrated its turning, fiber laser, punch press and automated storage technologies Sept. 18-20 at its biennial North American technology showcase. Demonstrations of Murata’s nine core tur