High-strength threaded fasteners are critical components in the assembly of virtually every form of transportation and industrial machinery. Industry-accepted standards for the measurement and performance of these critical parts have existed for decades, but recent failures of threaded fasteners in service and qualification testing are bringing new focus to the critical area between the head and shank of the fastener.
FREMONT, CA—Tesla Motors violated hazardous-waste and air-emissions standards at its electric-car assembly plant here and will pay $86,000 in penalties and equipment costs as part of a settlement, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday.
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI—The union that represents most of Harley-Davidson’s manufacturing plant employees in Wisconsin says the company is out of touch with the workers by making the current contract talks more about an hourly wage than workforce issues.
Production engineers often get excited about new technologies and tend to think that the benefits of investing in them are obvious to everyone else in the company. However, enthusiastic engineers can get an unpleasant surprise if they are not prepared to argue their case properly.
Most people take gravity for granted. But, manufacturers know better, especially when it comes to moving large items through a plant for assembly, finishing, storage and order-fulfillment purposes. The proof is in their use of gravity conveyors to per-form these tasks.
Having multiple options to solve a problem is a great thing for any manufacturer. Having too many options, however, can prove problematic when it prevents a company from deciding on a specific plan of action in a timely manner.
MCDONOUGH, GA–Sangsin Technology America, a leading global brake friction materials and replacement parts manufacturer, will invest $20 million in its first North American manufacturing facility located here and create 200 jobs.
HUNTSVILLE, AL–Toyota recently announced plans to install two new engine lines at its manufacturing facility here through a $288 million expansion project that will create 450 jobs. The investment will boost annual engine capacity from 670,000 to 900,000 by the end of 2021.
GEORGETOWN, KY—Toyota Motor Corp. will invest $238 million in its plant here and add production of two vehicles as part of a plan to ramp up spending on its U.S. operations.
ORION TOWNSHIP, MI—General Motors is investing $300 million in its assembly plant here to produce a new Chevrolet electric vehicle that will create 400 new jobs.