Some companies have a name that is intentionally meant to be unique. Others have a background story that is just as interesting as the name. Tim Fulton, founder of Phelan, CA-based Alien Machine Worx (AMW), is in the latter camp, having believed from day one that AMW would be "making things out of this world."

Software is both an essential and accessible tool for manufacturers, with many types to choose from.

Computer-aided-design (CAD) software has a been friend to part designers and manufacturing engineers for decades, which is old news. The good news is this type of software is friendlier than ever, enabling both specialists to perform functions ranging from analyzing the strength of an assembly, to determining the best design for a given set of parameters.

Farmers use a wide range of equipment. Each machine must be carefully designed and built to perform a specific task.

IronCAD is now equipped with a new interactive introduction tutorial, enhanced visual and functionality improvements for the TriBall positioning and component creation tool, as well as enhanced custom sheet metal and bulk drawing creation features that improve the 2D detailing efficiency.

Product designers at Switzerland-based Loop Medical know that many people fear being pricked with a needle. That's why they’re hard at work testing a prototype needle-free, blood-collection device that allows for diagnostic tests at a hospital, lab, doctor's office, workplace or home.

For more than 70 years, Toyoda Iron Works Co. Ltd. (TIW) has supplied steel-plate body frame components, chassis elements and other auto parts to numerous automakers worldwide.

This article is not as good as it could be. I spent many days researching the topic, finding sources, conducting interviews, and finally writing and organizing what I learned. I could have included extra information or contacted additional sources. I could have polished one section or an-other. But, at some point, the article needed to be done.

Designing machines is very different from designing parts, yet IronCAD LLC's software is versatile enough to help companies that need to perform either task.