Machinery Assembly

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NEWTON, IA—Workers at a wind turbine blade manufacturing plant here are seeking to join a union citing concerns over safety and workplace conditions.

ELWOOD, KS—Pro-Dig LLC, which makes industrial drilling equipment, is closing its manufacturing operation in China and building a $5 million assembly plant here.

ATHENS, GA—Caterpillar opened a sprawling new assembly plant here that will make “small-track” bulldozers and mini hydraulic excavators. So far, approximately 300 of a promised 1,400 workers have been hired.

Follow-up is rarely fun, but it is often necessary to verify an assembly process. The most important follow-up to threaded-fastener installation is a static torque audit.

Weight issues are not something that’s common with U.S. Army soldiers. The military organization prides itself on running a lean, mean fighting machine. But, even so, the Army is on a weight-loss program when it comes to vehicles, artillery, ordnance, helmets, electronic gear and other devices.

Firearm manufacturing has come a long way from the days when a room full of gunsmiths was needed to ensure accurate, quality weapons. Nonetheless, manufacturing parts for firearms still requires a deep understanding of how the many small parts work together to create a successful weapon.

ATHENS, GA—Caterpillar expects to have the assembly line at its new factory here rolling by Nov. 1, according to a company engineer. The plant is expected to turn out 20 tractors and 50 to 60 excavators per day. It could employ up to 1,400 people at the plant by 2018.

OKLAHOMA CITY—Terex Corp. will upgrade its assembly plant here to meet demand for its road building equipment.

DETROIT—GM has entered into a new cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC) to develop new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

It’s planning time. It’s time to define the projects, the resources, and the timelines for next year’s work.