Web Exclusive Stories

Optimizing Bicycle Component Designs

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:57:00 -0400

Design optimization software is used by engineers in a variety of industries, including bicycle manufacturing.

Jabil Is Bullish on 3D Metal Printing

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:25:00 -0400

Jabil Inc., a U.S.-based global manufacturing services company with electronics design, supply chain, production and product management capabilities, is investing heavily in metal additive manufacturing.

GE Is Building the World's Largest 3D Metal Printer

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:20:00 -0400

General Electric envisions a big future for metal additive manufacturing technology.

ERP System Provides Big Savings for Fan Manufacturer

sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Big Ass Solutions finds that a powerful and effective ERP system is essential to running its global manufacturing operation.

Boeing: Wired for Success

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:30:00 -0400

When Boeing was founded 100 years ago, engineers were concerned about how to use wiring to brace wings. As aircraft became more complex, engineers turned their attention to solving numerous wire harness assembly challenges. Many of their innovative solutions have been chronicled in the pages of ASSEMBLY magazine.

Airbus Ramps Up Automation

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:18:00 -0400

Airbus is investing in automation to tackle huge backlogs for its commercial jetliners. Bernard Duprieu, head of manufacturing technologies research at the Airbus Centre of Competence, Industrial Strategy and System, tells ASSEMBLY about the company’s FuturAssy automation strategy.

Industrial Uses for Liquid Silicone Rubber See Growth

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Successful manufacturing depends on optimizing LSR injection molding equipment.

Foreign Direct Investment: From Italy, to Better Serve

camilloj@bnpmedia.com (Jim Camillo) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Successful manufacturers go to great lengths to better serve their customers. Modula USA has gone nearly 4,000 miles - from Italy to Maine - to better serve its customers in North and South America.

Tech Tips - What You Need To Know About EtherNet/IP Compatible Instruments

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

By now nearly every factory floor and office in the world makes use of Ethernet for its connectivity backbone. Worldwide it is also a given that IT Departments consider all things Ethernet a core capability of their expertise.

Video: How the New F-150 Is Assembled

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 01:00:00 -0400

The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck features an aluminum body and cargo box that’s a radical departure from conventional designs.

Video: Quick-Change Artists Transform Ford Body Shop

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Ford Motor Co. recently began assembling the aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup truck at the Dearborn Truck Plant.

Video: Assembly Time Machine: Ford’s Historic Rouge Plant

Wed, 11 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The groundbreaking aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup truck is assembled at the Dearborn Truck Plant, the crown jewel of Ford Motor Co.’s historic Rouge Center.

Say Hello to my New Little Friend

camilloj@bnpmedia.com (Jim Camillo) — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Let me tell you about Lynx, a little robot I met a few weeks ago. Before I saw it in action, I believed strongly that no robot could be just another worker out on the plant floor. Now I know better.

Four Ways 3D Printing is Shaping Product Design and Manufacturing

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Product engineers and tooling manufacturers have much to gain from 3D printing.

3D Printing Gets Warm and Fuzzy

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:38:00 -0400

Soft and cuddly aren't words used to describe the plastic or metal things typically produced by today's 3D printers. But, a new type of device developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Disney Research Pittsburgh can turn wool into teddy bears and other fuzzy fabric objects. The device looks something like a cross between a 3D printer and a sewing machine and produces 3D objects made of a form of loose felt.

3D Printing Helps 'RoboCop' Come Alive

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:33:00 -0400

When a special effects company in Hollywood needed to produce a suit for the latest “RoboCop” movie, they turned to additive manufacturing. A 3D printer played a leading behind-the-scenes role in the production of the iconic RoboCop suit, including the helmet, visor, chest armor and boots.

Green Manufacturing Initiatives Are On the Rise

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:24:00 -0400

Manufacturers are pursuing a wide variety of “green” initiatives, such as energy-efficient lighting, landfill gas, recycling, solar panels and wind turbines. In fact, more than one-half of our 2014 State of the Profession respondents claim their plant has implemented green-related programs during the past 12 months. That’s a 3 percentage point increase over 2013 and 8 percentage points higher than 2012.

'Happy' Days Are Here Again

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:16:00 -0400

According to the 2014 ASSEMBLY State of the Profession study, a majority of assembly professionals are happy with their jobs today. Manufacturing engineers are slightly happier than design engineers and the happiest assemblers work in the transportation equipment sector. However, location, company size and other factors can also influence happiness.

3M Is Leading the Fuel Cell Charge

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:47:00 -0400

3M Co. is famous for sand paper, Scotch tape and Post-it notes. But, it’s also bullish on the future of fuel cell technology. The company is a leading provider of materials that are critical to fuel cells, such as fluoropolymers, membrane materials and advanced ceramics.

Green Energy Initiatives Drive GM Orion

webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:48:00 -0400

The General Motors’ Orion Assembly Plant sits in the shadow of a large landfill. But, the 4-million-square foot factory, which is home to the Chevrolet Sonic and the Buick Verano, uses that to its advantage. The plant derives a significant portion of its power from landfill gas.

Test Centric Assembly

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

This white paper is for mechanical engineers, quality engineers, management and those whose goal is to detect leaks, avoid unnecessary production cost and anticipate process adjustments for maximum yield.

Intelligent Networking and Supply Chain Management: An Interview With John Brandt

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Whether your company makes car parts, blenders or chocolate-chip cookies, today’s global supply chains pose numerous risks to manufacturers.

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Tapes Can Speed Assembly in Multiple Industries

herb.bowling@averydennison.com (Herb Bowling) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0400

From brake shoes to smart phones, acrylic adhesive tapes are finding use in a growing number of applications.

Human Arm Sensors Make Robots Smarter