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.
Today's printed circuit board assembly line is highly automated. Board loading, paste printing, pick-and-place, reflow, test and inspection - every process is covered by a standard machine, and assemblers have many brands to choose from.
If the adhesives world had a track team, cyanoacrylate would be Usain Bolt, the three-time Olympic sprinting champion. That's because it is a versatile, super-fast material that cures much quicker than other types of adhesive.
South Bend, home to the University of Notre Dame, has a long history of manufacturing. In the past, the city in northern Indiana hummed with large factories belonging to companies such as Bendix Corp. (automotive and aircraft brakes), Oliver Chilled Plow Works (agricultural equipment) and Studebaker Corp. (cars, trucks and wagons).
Makers of insulated glass use a variety of custom machines in their production facilities. Gas filling, glass handling and glass storage machines are three of the most common types.
Last month, NASA's Mars Perseverance rover landed on the red planet after 5.5 months of traveling through space. The rover's primary mission is to search for signs of ancient microscopic life and collect the first ever Martian soil samples for analysis.
I am fortunate to have had a lengthy career of more than 30 years. I have held a variety of product development positions, and these experiences have influenced my thinking about how best to get things done.
After a nearly 20-year hiatus, supersonic passenger travel is about to make a comeback. One of the companies leading the charge is Boom Supersonic Inc.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals to deliver life-saving products. Automation will play a key role in fighting the disease.
On Feb. 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021. This bill would invest nearly $3.5 billion over five years to scale-up apprenticeship opportunities, streamline access to apprenticeships for workers and employers, and expand apprenticeships into new, in-demand industry sectors and occupations.