ARLINGTON, TX—When James Humes began working at GM’s assembly plant here, many of his colleagues weren’t even born yet.

KALAMAZOO, MI—Stryker Corp. is a building a new, state-of-the-art 3D printing facility this year. The facility will be used to make components for the company’s joint replacement products.

ANDERSON, SC—Workers at an automotive sensor factory here are wearing smart watches to alert them to production faults on the assembly line.

HØNEFOSS, Norway—A new 3D printing technology developed by Norsk Titanium is being used to produce titanium alloy structural components for Airbus passenger jets.

SAN ANTONIO—Takata Corp. has officially opened its newly expanded factory here for making seat belt buckles. This photo essay provides a behind-the-scenes look.

AVON LAKE, OH—Ford Motor Co. will add Super Duty chassis cab capacity to its Ohio Assembly Plant here. Until now, Super Duty has been built at the automaker’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

MEXICO CITY—Ford Motor Co. is planning to spend about $1 billion on a new assembly plant in Mexico, less than a year after committing $2.5 billion to the country to expand an existing factory and build a new transmission facility.

WASHINGTON—The National Institute of Standards and Technology is launching a simulation-based competition aimed at making robots more capable, versatile and collaborative, as well as easier to program.

JACKSONVILLE, AR—SIG Sauer will locate a new ammunition assembly facility here, where it plans to invest approximately $5.7 million and create about 50 new jobs.

INGERSOLL, ON—After beginning a hiring spree last November, the CAMI Automotive assembly plant is still in need of production associates and electricians.