Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in manufacturing. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.assemblymag.com/rss/3549-manufacturing-industry-top-stories en-us moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) What happens when assembly systems, process control, motion tracking and production data all operate in separate silos? In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Russ Hughes of Desoutter Industrial Tools discusses the manufacturing challenges that inspired the Desoutter Ecosystem and why manufacturers are increasingly focused on connecting fragmented assembly operations across the factory floor. What happens when assembly systems, process control, motion tracking and production data all operate in separate silos? In this episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Russ Hughes of Desoutter Industrial Tools discusses the manufacturing challenges that inspired the Desoutter Ecosystem and why manufacturers are increasingly focused on connecting fragmented assembly operations across the factory floor.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100180 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100180-video-desoutter-targets-production-complexity-with-connected-manufacturing-ecosystem sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) Ford is shifting its focus to hybrid vehicles and conventional gas-powered models, and it’s repurposing two new assembly plants that suddenly have nothing to make. Ford is shifting its focus to hybrid vehicles and conventional gas-powered models, and it’s repurposing two new assembly plants that suddenly have nothing to make.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100188 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100188-ford-pivots-from-evs-to-energy-storage-systems moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Joe Teague, owner and organizer of the Advanced Manufacturing Expo, says humanoid robots will be a major part of this year’s event in Grand Rapids. DOBOT will bring Atom, its humanoid robot, for a keynote and live demonstration. Joe Teague, owner and organizer of the Advanced Manufacturing Expo, says humanoid robots will be a major part of this year’s event in Grand Rapids. DOBOT will bring Atom, its humanoid robot, for a keynote and live demonstration. 

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100177 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100177-video-humanoid-robot-shows-off-its-moves-at-ame moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Unlike one-part adhesives, which are ready to use straight from the container, two-part systems require precise metering and mixing before they can be applied. Unlike one-part adhesives, which are ready to use straight from the container, two-part systems require precise metering and mixing before they can be applied.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100163 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100163-real-time-monitoring-brings-process-control-to-two-part-adhesive-dispensing moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Tariffs have reduced direct imports from China, but that doesn't mean manufacturing is coming back to the United States. Patrick Van den Bossche of Kearney explains why companies are building supply chain flexibility instead of committing to reshoring — and why much of the production leaving China is simply moving somewhere else. Tariffs have reduced direct imports from China, but that doesn't mean manufacturing is coming back to the United States. Patrick Van den Bossche of Kearney explains why companies are building supply chain flexibility instead of committing to reshoring — and why much of the production leaving China is simply moving somewhere else.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100173 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100173-podcast-why-manufacturers-are-choosing-flexibility-instead-of-reshoring moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte, explains the “Diet Coke problem” — a real example of tribal manufacturing knowledge that often exists only inside the heads of experienced operators and how manufacturers can solve this issue before workers leave for good. Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte, explains the “Diet Coke problem” — a real example of tribal manufacturing knowledge that often exists only inside the heads of experienced operators and how manufacturers can solve this issue before workers leave for good. 

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100161 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100161-the-diet-coke-problem-as-manufacturers-face-experts-retiring webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) Panasonic uses AI-powered robots to automatically disassemble appliances, enabling recycling, material recovery, and circular-economy sustainability. Panasonic uses AI-powered robots to automatically disassemble appliances, enabling recycling, material recovery, and circular-economy sustainability.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100156 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100156-appliance-manufacturer-uses-robots-and-ai-to-disassemble-products moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Manufacturers are rapidly adopting AI, but most deployments remain limited to small-scale pilots. In this episode, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize, explains why scaling AI across the enterprise is proving far more difficult than expected. Manufacturers are rapidly adopting AI, but most deployments remain limited to small-scale pilots. In this episode, Mike Sabin, CEO of Revalize, explains why scaling AI across the enterprise is proving far more difficult than expected.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100152 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100152-podcast-ai-in-manufacturing-a-force-multiplier-still-stuck-in-pilot-mode moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Jon Sobel, CEO and co-founder of Sight Machine, discusses how the company’s updated AI platform is designed to help process experts turn plant-floor signals, equipment data and operational knowledge into recommendations that can improve production performance. Jon Sobel, CEO and co-founder of Sight Machine, discusses how the company’s updated AI platform is designed to help process experts turn plant-floor signals, equipment data and operational knowledge into recommendations that can improve production performance.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100151 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100151-video-sight-machine-expands-ai-platform-for-factory-operations moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Mexico has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of recent supply chain shifts, but much of the value in those products still comes from components sourced in Asia. Patrick Van den Bossche explains how upcoming USMCA discussions could reshape nearshoring strategies, regional content rules and the future economics of North American manufacturing. Mexico has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of recent supply chain shifts, but much of the value in those products still comes from components sourced in Asia. Patrick Van den Bossche explains how upcoming USMCA discussions could reshape nearshoring strategies, regional content rules and the future economics of North American manufacturing.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100141 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:30:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100141-video-usmca-review-could-reshape-nearshoring-economics moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) AI is changing machine vision, but not in the way many manufacturers expect. Matt Moschner, CEO of Cognex, explains where AI vision systems outperform traditional tools, where they don’t and why most real-world applications rely on a hybrid approach. AI is changing machine vision, but not in the way many manufacturers expect. Matt Moschner, CEO of Cognex, explains where AI vision systems outperform traditional tools, where they don’t and why most real-world applications rely on a hybrid approach. 

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100135 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100135-podcast-ai-vision-on-the-plant-floor-where-it-works-and-where-it-doesnt moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) What do factory robots and robot vacuums have in common? According to Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte: they both get stuck. In this clip from an upcoming episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Semle explains how disconnected factory systems create what he calls the “Roomba problem” — and why standardized industrial data is becoming critical for AI and automation on the plant floor. What do factory robots and robot vacuums have in common? According to Aron Semle, CTO of HighByte: they both get stuck. In this clip from an upcoming episode of ASSEMBLY Audible, Semle explains how disconnected factory systems create what he calls the “Roomba problem” — and why standardized industrial data is becoming critical for AI and automation on the plant floor.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100131 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100131-podcast-the-roomba-problem-inside-modern-factories moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is heading toward its first formal review on July 1. Patrick Lozada, Senior Director of Global Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, explains how the USMCA supports manufacturing, regional supply chains, standards alignment and long-term investment certainty. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is heading toward its first formal review on July 1. Patrick Lozada, Senior Director of Global Policy at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, explains how the USMCA supports manufacturing, regional supply chains, standards alignment and long-term investment certainty.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100124 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100124-podcast-could-trade-deal-uncertainty-slow-americas-manufacturing-comeback webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) Adhesive bonding enables engineers to create strong joints. But industrial adhesives have several drawbacks, such as outgassing, which can cause problems in some applications. Adhesive bonding enables engineers to create strong joints. But industrial adhesives have several drawbacks, such as outgassing, which can cause problems in some applications.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100121 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:30:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100121-best-practices-to-prevent-outgassing Volvo Cars has begun production of its new, fully electric EX60 SUV at its assembly plant in Torslanda, Sweden. The plant has been heavily upgraded in recent years in preparation for production of the EX60 and other EVs. Volvo Cars has begun production of its new, fully electric EX60 SUV at its assembly plant in Torslanda, Sweden. The plant has been heavily upgraded in recent years in preparation for production of the EX60 and other EVs.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100095 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100095-volvo-redesigns-ev-manufacturing webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) In today’s age of artificial intelligence, smartphones, video games and virtual reality, pinball has undergone a resurgence. A handful of companies still make pinball machines in the United States. The largest of them all is Stern Pinball Inc. In today’s age of artificial intelligence, smartphones, video games and virtual reality, pinball has undergone a resurgence. A handful of companies still make pinball machines in the United States. The largest of them all is Stern Pinball Inc.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100120 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100120-stern-pinball-keeps-old-school-fun-alive moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages. Despite tariffs, EV disruption and supply chain pressure, supplier relationships improved across all six major North American OEMs for the first time in 26 years. Dr. Angela Johnson explains what changed — and why communication and trust are becoming critical competitive advantages.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100098 Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100098-podcast-why-oem-supplier-relationships-improved-despite-tariffs-and-ev-uncertainty Shifting from a traditional process to a streamlined assembly line to a 30 percent increase in throughput and a 53 percent reduction in footprint. Shifting from a traditional process to a streamlined assembly line to a 30 percent increase in throughput and a 53 percent reduction in footprint.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100103 Tue, 26 May 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100103-knife-maker-redesigns-assembly-line compact assembly line workstations Trays of parts are delivered to each workstation by the conveyor, which reduces the need for constant parts replenishment. assembly-line process Rather than one worker assembling a knife from start to finish, each worker handles a few operations in an assembly-line process. moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers. Manufacturers need skilled workers now—but traditional training pathways often fall short. In this episode, Justin Brooks explains how short-duration programs are helping people enter manufacturing faster, build confidence on the shop floor and connect directly with employers.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100089 Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100089-podcast-short-duration-training-programs-help-close-manufacturing-skills-gap moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Electric vehicles were supposed to be the future, but the reality has been more complicated. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why shifting demand and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to focus on long-term strategy and adaptability. Electric vehicles were supposed to be the future, but the reality has been more complicated. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why shifting demand and infrastructure challenges highlight the need for manufacturers to focus on long-term strategy and adaptability. 

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100086 Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100086-video-ev-uncertainty-highlights-the-need-for-long-term-manufacturing-strategy moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Timing studies and simulation can help engineers optimize cycle time in automated assembly systems. Timing studies and simulation can help engineers optimize cycle time in automated assembly systems.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100084 Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100084-best-practices-for-cycle-time-optimization sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) New assembly conveyors are designed for transporting fragile medical devices and heavy loads. New assembly conveyors are designed for transporting fragile medical devices and heavy loads.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100073 Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100073-new-conveyors-for-automated-assembly sprovierij@bnpmedia.com (John Sprovieri) The machine can be operated as a standalone system, or it can be integrated into automated assembly lines. The machine can be operated as a standalone system, or it can be integrated into automated assembly lines.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100070 Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100070-ultrasonic-welding-system-joins-multiple-joints-at-once MS sonxMAC MULTI The MS sonxMAC MULTI can be used for ultrasonic welding of instrument panels, door trims, rear spoilers, trim elements, pillar and luggage compartment trims, and bumper coverings. custom-configured MS sonxMAC MULTI MS Ultrasonic configured a MULTI machine to perform more than 60 ultrasonic spot welds on a bumper assembly. MS sonxMAC MULTI The MS sonxMAC MULTI is designed to perform multiple processing steps on a single assembly. Those steps could be ultrasonic punching, welding, staking, cutting, or embossing. moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Tariffs aren’t impacting every manufacturer the same way. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why some companies gain an advantage while others struggle—and why preparation ultimately determines the outcome. Tariffs aren’t impacting every manufacturer the same way. Eddy Azad, founder and CEO of Parsec Automation, explains why some companies gain an advantage while others struggle—and why preparation ultimately determines the outcome.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100069 Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100069-podcast-tariffs-highlight-the-gap-between-prepared-and-unprepared-manufacturers moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) For many automakers, early investments in EV infrastructure were driven in part by regulatory pressure and incentives aimed at accelerating adoption. But as those policies evolve, manufacturers are being forced to reassess their strategies. For many automakers, early investments in EV infrastructure were driven in part by regulatory pressure and incentives aimed at accelerating adoption. But as those policies evolve, manufacturers are being forced to reassess their strategies.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100064 Tue, 12 May 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100064-video-policy-shifts-complicate-the-ev-transition-for-manufacturers webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) When introducing new vehicle models, each launch can demand extensive reconfiguration of existing production lines. Timing is critical and every delay carries a significant cost. Digital twin technology can help engineers tackle that issue. When introducing new vehicle models, each launch can demand extensive reconfiguration of existing production lines. Timing is critical and every delay carries a significant cost. Digital twin technology can help engineers tackle that issue.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100061 Mon, 11 May 2026 14:30:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100061-digital-twins-streamline-auto-manufacturing digital twin Digital twins and other Industry 4.0 technology enable manufacturers to improve assembly line efficiency. simulating operational dynamics Simulations can be used to design, verify, optimize and validate operational dynamics. virtual reality Oakland University’s Master of Science in Smart Manufacturing program integrates augmented and virtual reality, in addition to other state-of-the-art technology. digital twin A digital twin is a virtual counterpart of a physical assembly system. webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) Photovoltaic-integrated body panels could extend the range of EVs. Photovoltaic-integrated body panels could extend the range of EVs.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100060 Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100060-solar-powered-vehicle-technology moorej@bnpmedia.com (JJ Moore) Chris Draper, CEO and co-founder of morriganAI and author of Safe AI Basics and co-author of Governing Artificial Intelligence, challenges the way we think about AI and explains why the real risk—and opportunity—lies in human behavior. Chris Draper, CEO and co-founder of morriganAI and author of Safe AI Basics and co-author of Governing Artificial Intelligence, challenges the way we think about AI and explains why the real risk—and opportunity—lies in human behavior.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100055 Thu, 07 May 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100055-podcast-what-manufacturers-miss-about-ai-its-not-a-technology-problem Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz will invest $4 billion in its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, AL. The plant assembles a range of SUVs for both the U.S. and export markets. Over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz will invest $4 billion in its assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, AL. The plant assembles a range of SUVs for both the U.S. and export markets.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100012 Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100012-mercedes-benz-to-invest-4-billion-in-alabama-assembly-plant webera@bnpmedia.com (Austin Weber) Assembly line tools and production processes played an important behind-the-scenes role in the development of many of the most popular attractions at Disney theme parks. Assembly line tools and production processes played an important behind-the-scenes role in the development of many of the most popular attractions at Disney theme parks.

]]> http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100043 Fri, 01 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.assemblymag.com/articles/100043-disneys-automation-legacy