Jim Camillo

Gentherm Inc. has been assembling a wide range of thermal management products for the automotive industry since 1991, when it was known as Amerigon. In 1996, the company created the industry's first thermoelectrically heated and cooled seat system (called Climate Control Seat).

It is safe to say that the debate about the environmental impact of plastic will continue. But, it is also a fact that many manufacturers of plastic products are quietly becoming greener.

Management theory and practice don't always match, and few people know this better than the individuals who oversee assembly lines. Their real-world experience has taught them that the best method to achieve success always depends on several application-specific factors. Among them are part size and shape, available automation, required cycle time and the materials being joined.

Affirmation is a great thing for the person or organization being affirmed. But, it can be just as beneficial for the affirmer, in the right situation.

Manufacturers looking to take their operations to the next level often look to automation and robotics to make it happen. This is understandable, for such technology can cost-effectively increase throughput, optimize assembly and testing processes, improve product quality and decrease labor costs.

When it comes to automotive assembly, sometimes a one-solution-fits-all approach is the best one. Just ask the designers and assemblers at Local Motors, an American motor vehicle company located in Phoenix.

A manufacturer never achieves success completely on its own. Every company, to some extent, needs help from equipment suppliers, machine builders and integrators.

In the celebrity world, the price of being well known is the public knows too much about a star's private life. But, in the assembly world, the price of being a well-known technology is end-users sometimes know too much about one process benefit and too little about its other benefits.

On the water, yachts and superyachts are wonderful to look at and be aboard. But, in the factory, these vessels present a major assembly challenge: Accurately positioning, aligning and joining the large, composite components of the hull.

An increased concern for personal appearance is leading to an increased need for razors in a big way. In fact, researchers are projecting the global razor market to surpass $22 billion by 2030.