John Sprovieri

What’s New in Leak Testing

New applications and stricter requirements are spurring innovation in leak testing technology

May 3, 2019

Myriad automotive components are checked for leaks, including turbochargers, oil filters and radiators. However, leak testing doesn’t end with the suppliers of those components.

AI and Machine Learning in Manufacturing

Artificial intelligence and machine learning promise to improve maintenance, quality and supply chain management

John Sprovieri

May 3, 2019

Robots and other automation technologies have greatly increased productivity in today's factories. However, they still have one major limitation: They require people to tell them what to do.

In my March editorial, I discussed the impact of steel and aluminum tariffs on assemblers of steel and aluminum products. However, another constituency has also been affected by tariffs: U.S. consumers.

Getting Started on the Road to Industry 4.0

Just as lean manufacturing is about more than eliminating waste, Industry 4.0 is not merely a matter of connecting machines and products via the Internet.

John Sprovieri

May 1, 2019

By now, we've all heard the hype: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will fundamentally change manufacturing and offer a cornucopia of benefits, including increased efficiency, higher quality and more responsive supply chains.

Industry 4.0 Is Well Underway

John Sprovieri

May 1, 2019

Data analytics, augmented reality, generative design, artificial intelligence, cobots, additive manufacturing and other technologies are already helping manufacturers increase efficiency, reduce downtime, lower prices, differentiate themselves in the marketplace, and improve service, delivery and quality.

Case Studies in Wire Harness Assembly

These success stories highlight the need to use the latest wire processing technology on the shop floor

John Sprovieri

April 17, 2019

Wire harness assembly doesn't get more complex or safety-critical than in the aerospace industry. A typical harness might contain thousands of wires and hundreds of connectors

FDA to Modernize 510(k) Clearance Pathway

John Sprovieri

April 2, 2019

The Food and Drug Administration is changing the most common way it approves new low- to moderate-risk medical devices for use in the United States.

Going All-In for Assembly Plants

John Sprovieri

April 1, 2019

Remember Super Bowl XLIV between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts? With the Saints trailing 10-6 at halftime, Saints coach Sean Payton made one of the gutsiest gambles in NFL history, calling for an onside kick to start the second half.

Steel Tariffs Backfire on Automakers, Suppliers

John Sprovieri

March 7, 2019

Remember the nursery rhyme about the old lady who swallows a fly? She swallows a spider to catch the fly, a bird to catch the spider, a cat to catch the bird, and so on, until she finally swallows a horse and dies.