data analytics

Jabil Improves Production Yield With Manufacturing Apps

March 9, 2020

Building complex assemblies is now a standard practice for electronic manufacturing services (EMS) companies. This reality applies to firms that do work locally, nationally or internationally.

Electronic Work Instructions Come of Age

New software tools help engineers enforce production processes

Austin Weber

March 6, 2020

Nobody's perfect. Even the best trained, most experienced assemblers can make mistakes on the line, especially in high-mix production environments. Fortunately, a variety of software products are available to help prevent assembly errors.

2019 Assembly Plant of the Year: Refrigerator Production Heats Up at GE Appliances

Lean manufacturing and vertical integration thrive in Decatur, AL.

Austin Weber

October 1, 2019

Refrigerators are one of the only appliances found in nearly every type of home, whether it's an apartment in suburban Atlanta, a high-rise condominium in downtown Chicago, a beach house in Hawaii or a trailer in Texas. The humble refrigerator is also the hardest working household appliance. Day and night, it's constantly running to keep all types of food and beverages cool, fresh or frozen.

Data Analytics and the Smart Factory

Big data is becoming a strategic manufacturing tool.

Austin Weber

May 2, 2019

Manufacturing in the 19th century was driven by steam. In the 20th century, it was electricity. Today, manufacturing is driven by data.

2018 Assembly Plant of the Year: Ford Shifts Flexible Assembly Into High Gear

The Van Dyke transmission plant excels at high-volume, high-mix production.

Austin Weber

October 2, 2018

One of the top transmission assembly plants in the world is Ford Motor Co.'s Van Dyke facility in Sterling Heights, MI. It's part of a network of Ford factories that mass-produce axles, engines and other power train components used in the company's cars and trucks.

BMW Improves Quality With Data Analysis

Data analysis allows for predictive maintenance and quality control

Frank Wienstroth

May 4, 2018

Building a car generates massive amounts of data throughout the value chain. The BMW Group uses its Smart Data Analytics digitalization cluster to analyze this data selectively and enhance its production system. Results from intelligent data analysis make an effective contribution towards improving quality in all areas of production and logistics.

GE ‘Predix’ the Future of Manufacturing

General Electric’s ‘Brilliant Factory’ initiative is driving a new era of production.

Austin Weber

March 29, 2017

One hundred years ago, a vertically integrated manufacturing complex in Schenectady, NY, defined the company behind the famous blue monogram. Today, the future of General Electric is in San Ramon, CA. That’s the home of GE Digital.