Manufacturing Industry Top Stories

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What do factory robots and robot vacuums have in common? According to Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte: they both get stuck. In this clip from an upcoming episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Semle explains how disconnected factory systems create what he calls the “Roomba problem” — and why standardized industrial data is becoming critical for AI and automation on the plant floor.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is heading toward its first formal review on July 1. Patrick Lozada, Senior Director of Global Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, explains how the USMCA supports manufacturing, regional supply chains, standards alignment and long-term investment certainty.

Adhesive bonding enables engineers to create strong joints. But industrial adhesives have several drawbacks, such as outgassing, which can cause problems in some applications.

Volvo Cars has begun production of its new, fully electric EX60 SUV at its assembly plant in Torslanda, Sweden. The plant has been heavily upgraded in recent years in preparation for production of the EX60 and other EVs.

In today’s age of artificial intelligence, smartphones, video games and virtual reality, pinball has undergone a resurgence. A handful of companies still make pinball machines in the United States. The largest of them all is Stern Pinball Inc.

Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages.

Shifting from a traditional process to a streamlined assembly line to a 30 percent increase in throughput and a 53 percent reduction in footprint.

Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers.

Electric vehicles were supposed to be the future, but the reality has been more complicated. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why shifting demand and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to focus on long-term strategy and adaptability. 

Timing studies and simulation can help engineers optimize cycle time in automated assembly systems.