Research & Best Practices Manufacturing Data Analytics: Turning Data Into Operational Insight Every manufacturing asset—from machines and systems to sensors and software—generates data. According to recent research, industrial enterprises worldwide already create mo

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is the automated exchange of data between two (or more) machines without the need for human action or intervention.  As manufacturing systems become more complex, this automated exchange of information is essential. Interconnected, interoperable systems requ

Research & Best Practices 7 mins | Blog | Industrial Technology A unified namespace (UNS) is a single, structured, real-time data model that represents the entire manufacturing enterprise. In practice, it acts as a single source of truth for operational data.  In

Evolving market conditions make effective inventory management a challenge for many manufacturers.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), transportation costs have been steadily rising since 2023, with prices climbing 1.9% between July 2024 and July 2025. As noted by Mc

Research & Best Practices By Joe Erickson 3 mins | Blog | Industrial Maintenance, Industrial Technology Downtime is a fact of life for manufacturers. According to a recent report by German technology company Siemens, an average large plant experiences 27 hours of

Manufacturers are long on data and short on insights. According to research from IBM, just 28% of organizations “are using data from equipment, processes, and systems to draw insights for continuous process improvement.”  The problem? Big data alone rarely drives meaningful value without context

Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a key role in manufacturing success. Measuring, collecting and using KPI data can increase uptime, enhance reliability, improve cost control, drive revenue growth and boost overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).  The challenge? Choosing the right KPIs for th

Industrial plasma cutters deliver high-speed, precision cutting for fabrication and manufacturing. An alternative to oxyfuel-based cutters, plasma tools can cut through any conductive material with reduced heat distortion and without the need for flammable gas cylinders.  Like any industrial equi

The consumer electronics industry has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years and is poised to keep growing. One catalyst for this growth is the technological advances in electronics such as TVs, computers, digital cameras, laptops, and other devices. The demand for such devices has also increas

Sheet metal fabrication for the automotive industry is a transformative art, turning raw materials into functional marvels. Car part fabrication isn’t just a process—it’s a testament to precision, skill, and innovation.As vehicles become more advanced, the demand for high-quality automotive parts gr

Welding remains a core technique in sheet metal fabrication for joining metal components, but weld defects—caused by improper processes, material mismatches, or outdated equipment—still pose risks to structural integrity. In 2026, with the rise of high-stakes applications (EV chassis, aerospace comp

Sheet metal is widely used in the automotive and electronics industries. However, its sharp edges can warp over time and pose a safety risk. To address this, the edges are often folded in a process known as sheet metal hemming.This article explains what is hemming, how it is carried out, the types o

Welding joints’ importance in part manufacturing centers on their impact on the final part’s quality, strength, and durability. An appropriate selection and execution of weld joints will impact the efficiency and reliability of industrial and commercial products.This article provides a comprehensive

It is important that a material undergoes several metal fabrication processes before you use it for your assembly and manufacturing tasks. These metal manufacturing processes could vary, and this depends on what you intend to use the metal for. However, you can use them in several decorative, indust

Metal punching vs stamping might appear as interchangeable terms for shaping sheet metal, but the truth is each process addresses slightly different use cases. Stamping covers multiple metal-shaping processes while punching is focused solely on hole making. If an engineer inadvertently recommends th

You’ve finalized your design, only to be told the tolerances are “too tight” or the lead time will “take 4–6 weeks.” Now procurement’s stuck quoting vendors across three time zones, and you’re behind schedule. We’ve seen what happens when sourcing teams gamble on unknown sheet metal suppliers: parts

Sourcing custom sheet metal bending services for enclosures often forces a choice between strict tolerances and tight production schedules. Relying on outsourced broker networks or underequipped vendors frequently leads to out-of-spec dimensions and unpredictable procurement delays. We leverage o

Creating injection molded parts requires careful consideration of numerous variables that can impact the functionality and quality of the final product. Common issues, such as sink marks, flow lines, and warping, underscore the need to thoroughly understand effective design principles.This article p

CNC machining is a versatile manufacturing process that can produce a wide range of parts with high precision and repeatability. It is an essential manufacturing process for producing high-precision, complex parts for various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and electronics.B

In today’s fast-paced global market, mold design must adapt to current industrial needs and realities. With products having shorter lifespans, mold makers need innovative solutions to stay ahead. That’s where injection molding side action comes in. It is the game changer for handling complex geometr