2022 September

The 2022 September Assembly features our cover story: New Guidelines Address Supply Chain Sustainability in Automotive Industry, plus much more. Check it out today!

New Guidelines Address Supply Chain Sustainability in Automotive Industry

Austin Weber

September 1, 2022

Electrification isn’t the only paradigm shift transforming the automotive manufacturing landscape today. Sustainability is also forcing companies to rethink traditional production models. A new initiative involving some of the auto industry’s biggest players will affect the global supply chain.

How to Speed Up EV Cable Assembly

Automation can improve wire processing quality and throughput.

Rob Boyd

September 26, 2022

Electric vehicle cable harnesses are a hot topic in the wire processing industry today. It’s an exciting market that’s changing rapidly as new techologies emerge.

The Next Big Breakthrough in EVs

Solid-State Batteries Emerge From the Lab

Matt Cousineau

September 23, 2022

Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes, not liquid, which results in a higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion chemistries. After years of development, they promise to be the next big trend in electric vehicle technology.

Fuel Cell EVs Hit the Road

Austin Weber

September 22, 2022

Fuel cells offer tremendous potential as a clean power source. The chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen reacts with fuel cells and converts the energy to electricity. The decades-old technology is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including stationary power stations and many forms of transportation.

Powerboats Go Electric

Battery power promises to transform the personal watercraft industry.

Nathan Eddy

September 21, 2022

Boat manufactures around the world are ramping up production of electric watercraft ranging from pontoons to speedboats. They’re turning to batteries to produce emission-free products that deliver on range and speed.

How to Conduct a Robot Risk Assessment

Whether the application involves a standard robot or a cobot, engineers must do a risk assessment to identify potential hazards.

John Sprovieri

September 6, 2022

At the Moscow Chess Open in July, a tabletop six-axis robot equipped with a two-finger gripper was programmed to play chess with three opponents simultaneously. During one match, an overenthusiastic seven-year-old boy reached for a piece before allowing the robot to complete its move.

Common Mistakes With Presses

Here’s a look at the most common mistakes made with presses—and how to avoid them.

John Sprovieri

September 8, 2022

At first glance, press-fit assembly would seem to be much simpler than, say, welding or installing threaded fasteners. However, there’s a lot more to the process than simply jamming one part into another part.

What’s New With Hot-Plate Welding

Hot-plate welding produces strong, leak-tight joints in plastic assemblies with complex geometries.

John Sprovieri

September 13, 2022

Hot-plate welding is one of the simplest and most versatile methods for joining two plastic parts. The technology can weld small parts or large ones, flat parts or contoured ones.

Addressing the Labor Shortage Starts With Safety

Injury prevention services can help manufacturers hire and retain skilled workers.

Brian Kramer

September 15, 2022

The manufacturing industry faces a talent shortage, and it will take a multifaceted approach to address the issue. The industry was already struggling to find workers before the COVID-19 pandemic made it worse.

MTU Aero Engines Uses UWB RTLS to Track and Trace Production, Parts

John Sprovieri

September 26, 2022

Knowing exactly where to find things is essential, whether it’s a custom-made part, an urgent production order, or the last few modules required to reassemble an engine after maintenance.

Automotive Supplier Uses Screwdriving Spindle to Test Fuel Caps

John Sprovieri

September 26, 2022

How many times do you open and close the gas cap on your car? Once a week? Twice a week? More often? Over the life of a vehicle, you might fasten and unfasten the cap thousands of times.

BMW Error-Proofs Bearing Insertion on Engine Assembly Line

John Sprovieri

September 26, 2022

In May, BMW’s assembly plant in Munich celebrated its 100th anniversary. Spanning nearly 5.4 million square feet and employing some 7,800 people, the factory assembles 1,000 cars and 2,000 engines daily.

Inflation Reduction Act Is Win-Some, Lose-Some Proposition for Manufacturers

John Sprovieri

September 26, 2022

President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) into law on Aug. 16. The law is a major accomplishment for Democrats, who have been struggling for months to pass Biden’s ambitious social and climate policies, as well as his vision to raise taxes on the rich.

Drexel Cooling System Takes Heat Off EV Batteries

Austin Weber

September 19, 2022

Overheating is one of the biggest challenges facing engineers developing new types of battery technology. Too much thermal activity can reduce performance, cause malfunctions and increase the risk of fires and other serious problems in electric vehicles.

This presentation addresses the vital importance of reshoring U.S. manufacturing capability to ensure economic and military security. You’ll learn how U.S. manufacturing got where it is today, how outsourcing threatens U.S. security, and what U.S. manufacturers can do to fix the problem.

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