Austin Weber

Evolving technology, such as carbon nanotubes, fiber optics and printed electrical systems, may provide the backbone of future electrical distribution systems in cars, trucks, locomotives, aircraft and other vehicles.

Today, just about every square inch of a typical automobile is crammed full of electronic components. Microprocessors, sensors, connectors and other increasingly smaller and more robust devices are inside doors, under seats, behind dashboards, inside tires and under hoods.

If your company assembles a product that people may want to collect in future decades, consider holding onto old paper work instructions.

In his recent State of the Union address, President Obama challenged Americans to be more innovative. That means developing new materials, new products and new production processes. To tackle that challenge, manufacturing engineers must harness the power of “smart assembly” tools and systems.

Batteries take up valuable space, add weight and provide limited robustness. In the future, many manufacturers will replace batteries with energy harvesting technology-a cost-effective process of converting freely available energy into electricity.

The most recent episode of “Undercover Boss” featured Denny Slagle, president and CEO of Mack Trucks Inc. Other top execs should get out from behind their desks and learn more about plant operations.

Aluminum wire and cable can be more difficult to feed, cut, crimp, strip and splice than its copper counterparts. However, numerous processing methods are currently under investigation.

Traditionally, manufacturers have relied on manual welding to assemble high-mix, low-volume products. But, more companies are turning to a new breed of flexible robots, software and controls.

Medical device engineers are working on a wide variety of new products that address the unique needs of diabetics. The “holy grail” is a closed-loop blood glucose monitoring and insulin pump, sometimes referred to as an artificial pancreas.

Although the mainstream media doesn’t talk about it too much, many U.S. assembly plants stack up admirably against their counterparts in China, India, Mexico and other overseas locations.