Advanced Manufacturing Now: Recent Episodes
Advanced Manufacturing Now
SME Media is a leading source for news and in-depth technical information about advanced manufacturing in North America.
In this episode, Lead Contributing Editor Amy Bryson sits down with Rob MacMillan, founder of PINpoint Information Systems, to unpack the complexities of transformational technology and reach the substance beyond the hype.
The SME Media editorial team discuss their recent travels covering industry events. Topics include Siemens' digital twin technology and industrial AI at Realize LIVE, and North Carolina's transformation into a bio-manufacturing hub.
Join Amy Bryson, Steve Plumb and Chris Mahar as they reflect on the 10-year journey of Smart Manufacturing magazine, discussing its evolution covering key innovations in manufacturing technology and the exciting transition to Manufacturing Engineering & Technology magazine in August.
In this episode of Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow, host Toni Neary talks with Dr. Timothy Wilson, SME’s AI strategist, about what artificial intelligence really is—and what it means for your workforce. They break down the basics of AI (Narrow, General, Agentic), how tools like ChatGPT work, and how AI is already shaping everything from hiring to upskilling. Learn how organizations can use AI to uncover hidden talent, close skill gaps, and personalize employee development. Whether you’re new to AI or ready to scale, this conversation offers clear, practical insights for the future of work.
In this episode of Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow, host Toni Neary talks with Dr. Timothy Wilson, SME’s AI strategist, about what artificial intelligence really is—and what it means for your workforce. They break down the basics of AI (Narrow, General, Agentic), how tools like ChatGPT work, and how AI is already shaping everything from hiring to upskilling. Learn how organizations can use AI to uncover hidden talent, close skill gaps, and personalize employee development. Whether you’re new to AI or ready to scale, this conversation offers clear, practical insights for the future of work.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Editor David Muller interviews John McCullough of Kubotek Kosmos about the evolution of CAD technology, the challenges of digital communication in manufacturing, and the emerging trend of model-based definition. John shares insights on how A&D industries are driving innovation in data sharing, interoperability, and the potential impact of digital transformation on manufacturing processes.
Join Jason Gorey of Stifel Financial Corp. as he sits down with manufacturing experts Patrick Gaughan and Tim Osterhaus to explore critical strategies for small and medium-sized manufacturers. Hear insights on talent acquisition, innovation, continuous improvement, and the evolving landscape of American manufacturing through the experiences of these seasoned industry professionals.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have become a critical asset for modern manufacturers.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Editor Lawrence Moves sits down with Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. Dusty shares insights into the evolution of ERP technology, discussing real-time data visibility, shop floor automation, overcoming data silos, and helping manufacturers make smarter, faster decisions in an increasingly competitive global manufacturing landscape.
The June edition of Smart Shop Essentials is all about being better (but not necessarily best). In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb speaks with Lead Contributing Editor Amy Bryson and Contributing Editor Kip Hanson about the latest issue, how the word “premium” is synonymous with better—and why being frugal could end up costing big bucks during machining operations.
In this episode of the Advanced Manufacturing Now podcast, Senior Editor David Mueller speaks with Jonathan Christopher and Brian Falk from Scientific Cutting Tools to discuss the company's garage beginnings and commitment to the future.
Scientific Cutting Tools was founded in 1963 by Stanley Christopher, and three generations later, serve customers in aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and advanced manufacturing — including names like NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, and Johns Hopkins.
Jonathan and Brian share the company’s origin story, how their unique paths into the business shape their approach to innovation, and how SCT continues to invest in automation, advanced grinding technologies, and customer-centric R&D.
After 75 years in business, MasterGraphics has rebranded to M5D with a focus on supporting its customers in every dimension. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Editor Lawrence Moebs interviews CEO Kevin Carr about the rebrand, the trough of disillusionment, and the opportunities presented by additive manufacturing today.
Siemens Virtual Technical Application Center is an online educational initiative launched to help companies and their employees keep their skills up-to-date to meet the rapid changes in technology as the industrial sector digitalizes.
Mr. CNC Chris Pollack, manager of the center, speaks with Lead Contributing Editor Amy Bryson about the macro challenges facing manufacturers today.
Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, has spent thousands of hours on the shop floor helping manufacturing leaders transform their operations with frontline-friendly software and AI.
He joins Senior Editor David Muller to discuss the origins of MaintainX and the current state of computerized maintenance management system software.
RAPID + TCT 2025, North America’s largest and most influential additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing event, once again brought together the brightest minds in AM. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the SME Media editorial team get together to share the most noteworthy insights they discovered on the show floor this year.
Zoovu is an AI search and product discovery platform designed to put the right parts in the right hands. In the manufacturing industry, those parts could mean the difference between fulfilling a multimillion dollar order, or not. James Novak, CEO of Zoovu, joins Editor David Muller to discuss Zoovu with a lens on manufacturing companies.
In this episode, we talk with Gabe Kooyers, a machining instructor who’s redefining what manufacturing education looks like. Blending hands-on experience with engineering design principles and a bold focus on CNC training from day one, Kooyers is preparing students to meet the demands of modern industry with confidence.
We explore how his innovative teaching methods, creative student portfolios (think: James Bond briefcase), and strategic use of LinkedIn are creating real-world opportunities for his students—and gaining serious attention from employers. If you’re an educator, industry leader, or just someone who cares about the future of skilled trades, this conversation is a must-listen.
Tune in to hear how passion, adaptability, and innovation are shaping the machinists of tomorrow.
Jason Hehman, vertical leader of industry 4.0 at TXI, wants to empower manufacturing with the kind of insight only a digital twin can provide. He speaks with Editor Lawrence Moebs on developing pragmatic solutions with smart manufacturing technology.
Jerry Capo, vice president of technology at Product Evaluation Systems, and Dr. Alex Kinsey, technical lead of metallurgy, failure analysis at ATS, speak with Editor Lawrence Moebs about a crucially important aspect of any manufacturing: testing.
In the case of additive manufacturing, the variability and complexity of the processes involved means testing is all the more critical.
The Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII) wants to solve the biggest challenges facing cybersecurity in the U.S manufacturing industry. Gabriela Ciocarlie, Chief Technology Officer of CyManII, speaks with Lead Contributing Editor Amy Bryson about cybersecurity considerations for manufacturers of all sizes.
Brigitte de Vet, CEO of Materialise, knows that additive manufacturing technology has the potential for a revolutionary impact on the manufacturing industry, even if it might be a slow revolution. Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb speaks with Brigitte about where the AM industry has been and where it's heading.
As additive manufacturing technology advances, so does the sophistication of 3D-printed materials. Whatever you choose to use in your process, your grinder needs to handle everything you throw at it. Editor Lawrence Moebs speaks with Erik Lawson of DCM Tech about getting the most out of your rotary surface grinder in additive manufacturing.
Dr. Deb Volzer wants to change the narrative around manufacturing career opportunities.
She spearheaded the development of SME’s Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge (MI-WPC) with the express purpose of raising enrollment by 1,000 individuals per year, per college in STEM and manufacturing related programs.
As the program finishes its inaugural year, editor-in-chief Steve Plumb speaks with Deb about MI-WPC's key goals and milestones.
Read the MI-WPC National Impact Report here: National Impact Report
How can we ignite a passion for STEM in young minds and create a more diverse engineering workforce? Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Shonali Ditz, Co-Founder and Executive Director of SparkShop.
Shonali shares her personal journey, from navigating the challenges of engineering at Northwestern University to co-founding SparkShop, an organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of engineers. Discover how SparkShop is breaking down barriers by introducing hands-on engineering experiences to 4th and 5th graders, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
This episode highlights the critical importance of early STEM exposure and the power of representation in shaping the future of engineering. Tune in to hear how SparkShop is making a tangible difference and learn how you can get involved in supporting their mission.
In this episode, host David Muller speaks with Ron Crabtree, CEO of MetaOps, about the current landscape of manufacturing, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers. They discuss the challenges these manufacturers face, including digital transformation, workforce shortages, and the impact of automation and AI.
In this latest episode, editor-in-chief Steve Plumb sits down with Smart Manufacturing lead contributing editor Amy Bryson and contributing editor Kip Hanson, to discuss the April issue of Smart Shop Essentials. They detail some of the informative stories you'll be able to read, and they also give a small preview into the upcoming June issue.
To learn more about Smart Shop Essentials, visit advancedmanufacturing.org/smart-shop-essentials
In this episode, host Steve Plumb speaks with Howard Grimes, CEO of CyManII, about the critical importance of cybersecurity in the manufacturing sector. They discuss the evolving landscape of cyber threats, the innovative approaches CyManII is taking to address these challenges, and the importance of workforce development in enhancing cybersecurity measures.
In today's episode, editor-in-chief Steve Plumb talks with SME colleagues Stacey Eeman, Director of Industry Strategy, and Dave Morton, Group Director for the Manufacturing Technology Series, about AeroDef 2025, highlighting its significance in the aerospace and defense sectors. They also cover the importance of face-to-face interactions, the role of Michigan in manufacturing, new exhibitors, co-located events, and the focus on collaboration and innovation in mobility.
Register to attend AeroDef today!
In this episode, host Steve Plumb discusses the integration of emerging technologies, particularly AI, in the manufacturing sector with guests Jon Star, Director of Marketing at Methods Machine Tools, and Mike Kaminski Jr., CEO of Multiaxis, LLC. They explore the current state of the industry, the challenges posed by workforce shortages, and the importance of data management.
We've hit the trifecta in this latest episode! Join Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson as she previews our April issue with SME Media editor-in-chief Steve Plumb and contributing editor Kip Hanson. They discuss Smart's articles on workforce development, technological innovations, and the impact of AI on supply chain resilience.
In this episode, Steve Plumb explores the SME Bright Minds Student Mentorship Program with Robert Komljenovic, Operating Board Member for Acieta and mentor to Hailey Kressin, student at the Colorado School of Mines. They highlight the journeys of Robert and Hailey, the dynamics of the mentorship program, and the challenges faced in balancing academic and professional aspirations.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Lawrence Moebs speaks with Sundeep Ahluwalia, Chief Product Officer at TDK SensEI, about the evolution of manufacturing technologies from traditional condition-based monitoring (CBM) to advanced machine health monitoring. They discuss the role of AI in predictive maintenance, the importance of predictive insights and prescriptive actions, and the future trends shaping Industry 4.0 and the transition to Industry 5.0.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Lawrence Moebs speaks with Parsable CEO Matt Belkin about the critical role of digitization and AI in modern manufacturing. They discuss the challenges of traditional paper-based processes, the transformative potential of AI, and how technology can help address labor shortages.
In this episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," we sit down with Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech, a groundbreaking social enterprise that provides meaningful employment for autistic adults while delivering top-tier tech services. With a deep passion for neurodiversity and a personal connection to the cause, May shares how she has helped grow Aspiritech into a thriving organization that blends purpose with business success.
We explore how Aspiritech’s inclusive hiring practices, innovative training programs, and commitment to neurodiverse talent are reshaping the modern workplace. From the Aspiritech Academy’s role in developing a talent pipeline to helping businesses embrace neurodiversity, this episode is packed with insights on how companies can foster inclusivity and unlock untapped potential.
Tune in to learn how Aspiritech is proving that an inclusive workplace isn’t just possible—it’s the future of work.
In this episode, join SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb, Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing Amy Bryson, and Contributing Editor Kip Hanson as they preview the latest issue of SME Media's newest publication, Smart Shop Essentials.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Kelly Visconti, principal deputy director of the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) at the Department of Energy. They discuss the role of MESC in strengthening U.S. manufacturing, addressing workforce shortages, and the impact of legislation like the CHIPS Act and the Infrastructure Act.
Resources mentioned:
- SMLP: State Manufacturing Leadership Program Apr 21, 2025
- Ongoing Implementation Grant Submissions: ITAC Application Portal
- MESC’s FY24 Annual Report: Reports | Department of Energy
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Lawrence Moebs speaks with Gerrit Stuchtey, Customer Experience Director at Arvato Systems. They discuss the challenges faced by service technicians in the manufacturing industry, particularly in the context of digital transformation and the integration of AI technologies. Stuchtey highlights the importance of timely service, documentation, and the evolving role of technicians as they adapt to new technologies. The conversation also touches on the future of manufacturing and the need for comprehensive digitalization consulting.
In this episode, host David Muller speaks with Daniel Joseph Barry, vice president of product marketing at Configit, about the challenges and solutions in the manufacturing industry, particularly focusing on the impact of an aging workforce and the importance of automation and configuration lifecycle management (CLM). They discuss how CLM can help manufacturers streamline processes, capture expert knowledge, and improve efficiency, with real-world examples demonstrating its effectiveness.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb discusses the critical role of metrology in manufacturing with Christian Shinners and Joe Zofchak from Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions. They explore the importance of academic partnerships in addressing the skills gap in manufacturing, the impact of modern technology and Industry 4.0 on education, and the future trends in manufacturing and workforce development.
In this episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," Toni Neary speaks with Linda Head, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at Lone Star College, to discuss a groundbreaking partnership with National Oilwell Varco (NOV). Created to address the skills gap in manufacturing, this innovative program offers Aldine High School students full scholarships, paid internships, and mentorship opportunities, helping them earn degrees in machining and engineering.
Linda shares the unique, holistic support NOV and Lone Star provide, including childcare, transportation, and mentorship to ensure student success. The results? A 100% program completion rate, with graduates now holding stable, well-paying roles at NOV. This collaboration is not only transforming lives but also building a sustainable talent pipeline, inspiring other companies to adopt this model for workforce development.
Tune in to learn how this partnership is reshaping workforce training, creating pathways for underserved students, and setting a new standard for industry and education collaboration.
In this episode, Steve Plumb sits down with Steve Prahalis, COO for SME, Chris Ciuca, VP of Programs for SAE, and John Wilczynski, Executive Director for America Makes. They discuss the upcoming colocation of SME's AeroDef, SAE's WCX, and America Makes' TRX at RAPID + TCT 2025 in Detroit. They highlight the importance of collaboration among organizations to enhance value for attendees, the evolution of additive manufacturing and the defense sector, and the significance of Detroit as a hub for automotive innovation.
To learn more about each event, visit rapid3devent.com, aerodefevent.com, wcx.sae.org, and americamakes.us
In this episode, Padma Raghunathan, Product Marketing Manager at Deltek, discusses the future of smart manufacturing, focusing on the integration of AI and automation, workforce augmentation, and the evolving roles within the manufacturing sector.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Craig Coyle, a former pilot and current leadership consultant, about the challenges new leaders face in the manufacturing industry. They discuss the importance of leadership training, the need for a supportive culture, and the concept of mentorship in developing effective leaders.
To learn more about Operation Lead, visit them at operationlead.com
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Mueller speaks with Juan Martinez from Suhner about the evolving landscape of manufacturing, particularly in relation to automation and robotics. They discuss the challenges faced by the workforce, the advantages of robotic systems in material removal, and the innovations in compliance systems and electric solutions that Suhner offers.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the SME Editorial Team reflects on the highlights of 2024 and anticipates the trends and challenges for 2025. Topics include the addition of new team members (David and Lawrence), the launch of Smart Shop Essentials, and the importance of practical applications of technology in manufacturing.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Mueller speaks with Greg Davidson, aviation specialty manager at Castrol, about the critical role of aviation specialty products in manufacturing. They discuss the importance of testing and certification processes for aviation fluids, the challenges faced in the industry, and the trends shaping the future of aviation, including electrification and new technologies.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Rob Luce, Vice President of the SME Education Foundation. They discuss the foundation's role in workforce development, the importance of attracting the next generation to manufacturing careers, and the various programs offered by the foundation, including scholarships and the PRIME program.
To learn more about the SME Education Foundation, visit them at smeef.org
In this episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," Toni Neary speaks with Jane Christyson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, about the organization's bold steps to elevate STEM education. Since 2016, STEM has become a core pillar of the Girl Scouts, resulting in over 160 STEM-focused badges and initiatives designed to empower girls for STEM careers.
At the heart of this mission is the new 8,000-square-foot STEM center at Camp Ledgewood in Peninsula, Ohio, where girls will learn biomimicry by exploring nature's engineering wonders. Partnerships with companies like Swagelok bring real-world STEM experience to girls, while collaborations with organizations like CMHA and MAGNET ensure underserved communities can participate, too.
Tune in to hear how Girl Scouts are shaping a diverse and skilled future workforce by bridging STEM opportunities, advocacy, and hands-on learning for girls across Ohio.
In this episode, Brandon Lamoncha, the additive manufacturing director for Humtown Additive, discusses the evolution of Humtown from a traditional sand casting company to a leader in additive manufacturing. He shares insights on the challenges faced in the sand casting industry, the shift towards additive manufacturing, and the importance of collaboration with OEMs.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb interviews Kathy Wengel, Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer at Johnson & Johnson, discussing her extensive career in manufacturing, the importance of quality and global standards, workforce development challenges, diversity and inclusion, digital transformation, and the role of AI in manufacturing.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Muller speaks with Tony Bromwell, vice president of advanced development at LIFT, about the organization's role in advancing manufacturing technology and talent development. They discuss the launch of the Advanced Metallic Production and Processing Center, aimed at bridging the gap in the material development supply chain, particularly in additive manufacturing.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Amy Bryson speaks with Rahil Siddiqui, founder and CEO of Wilya, about the pressing need for flexibility in frontline manufacturing roles. They discuss the challenges faced by manufacturers in attracting and retaining talent, particularly in light of demographic shifts and changing worker expectations.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Mueller speaks with Andy Didyk from Ntara about Product Experience Management (PXM) and its significance in both B2B and B2C digital commerce. They explore how PXM helps manufacturers and brands manage product data and assets effectively, ensuring consistency across various sales channels.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Mueller speaks with Terry Onica, director of automotive for QAD, about the current state of the automotive manufacturing sector. They discuss the importance of standards in the industry, the impact of electric vehicles on supply chains, and the challenges posed by sustainability requirements.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Lawrence Moebs speaks with Bryan Christiansen, CEO of Limble, about the critical role of maintenance software in manufacturing. They discuss the importance of integrating technology platforms to enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve labor productivity.
Livia Rice, Director of Outreach and Engagement at the ARM Institute, joins Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how Industry 4.0 is ushering in a new age of manufacturing with automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as what the ARM Institute is doing to help prepare the U.S. manufacturing workforce and connect people with valuable career opportunities.
In this episode of "Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow," host Toni Neary speaks with Drew Crowe, a former teenage father and twice-convicted felon turned manufacturing leader and advocate for justice-impacted individuals. Drew shares his inspiring journey of overcoming systemic barriers and transforming his life through the manufacturing industry, where he found a path to stability and growth.
Drew discusses the immense potential in hiring justice-impacted individuals, highlighting the loyalty and dedication they bring when given a chance. He calls on employers to look beyond records and recognize the transformative impact manufacturing can have on individuals, families, and communities. Drew’s story is a powerful testament to the impact of second chances.
Tune in to hear how Drew Crowe is reshaping the narrative for justice-impacted individuals in manufacturing.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Nozi Hamidi from Quaker Houghton about the critical role of process fluids in manufacturing and the advancements in automation technology. They discuss the challenges manufacturers face, the importance of integrating automation into ancillary processes, and the benefits of the Fluid Intelligence platform.
In this episode, David Muller sits down with Mindy Tomlinson, senior product manager at Minitab, to discuss the importance of continuous improvement (CI) in manufacturing and other sectors. Mindy explains the origins of Minitab, its focus on usability for users unfamiliar with statistics, and the challenges faced by CI programs, including high failure rates and the need for effective project management.
In this episode, David Muller is joined by Clint Oram, co-founder and chief strategy officer of SugarCRM, discusses the evolution of customer relationship management in the manufacturing sector. They also explore the integration of AI and generative AI in CRM systems to provide actionable insights for sales teams.
In the debut episode of Manufacturing the Workforce of Tomorrow, Toni Neary, Director of Community Engagement at SME, speaks with Jeannine Kunz, SME’s Chief Workforce Development Officer, who has spent over 20 years advancing workforce strategies in manufacturing. Jeannine shares insights into SME’s mission to equip the industry with both cutting-edge technology and skilled talent, emphasizing the critical connection between them.
This episode explores SME’s national initiative, the Manufacturing Imperative Workforce Pipeline Challenge, which unites community colleges across 17 states to bridge the skills gap. Jeannine discusses SME’s commitment to optimizing, accelerating, and scaling workforce solutions that drive innovation, resilience, and competitiveness in manufacturing.
Tune in to learn how SME is building a future-ready manufacturing workforce.
In this episode, David Muller interviews Naveen Poonian, President and CEO of iBaseT, discussing the significance of model-based enterprise in manufacturing, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors. They explore how iBaseT's software solutions simplify complex operations, enhance quality assurance, and drive operational efficiency.
In today's episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host David Muller speaks with Pedro Pachuga, CEO of Advex AI, about the transformative role of AI in industrial automation. They discuss the technology behind Advex, its integration into manufacturing processes, and the future vision of becoming a central intelligence system for industrial efficiency.
To stay up to date on all things manufacturing, visit us at advancedmanufacturing.org
About SME Media Publishers of Manufacturing Engineering, Smart Manufacturing and AdvancedManufacturing.org, SME Media are manufacturing industry thought leaders, keeping an eye on what’s next. From additive manufacturing, software, and robots to virtual reality and the Industrial Internet of Things, we keep industry professionals up to date on the innovations that are leading the charge of advanced manufacturing. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about relevant news, technology and advances that improve their ability to make decisions in an intensely competitive global environment.
Andrew Parker, the director of governmental affairs for the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, talks with SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb about new workforce development initiatives, including early successes and plans to expand Be Pro Be Proud.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb interviews Ronald J. Bennett, a prominent figure in engineering education and leadership and author of new book The Engineer’s Guide to Authentic Leadership. They discuss Ron's extensive background in industry and academia, the critical need for leadership training in engineering programs, and the principles of authentic leadership.
More about The Engineer's Guide to Authentic Leadership:
The Engineer’s Guide to Authentic Leadership is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of leadership in the technical world. It addresses the gap in essential leadership qualities —such as communication, emotional intelligence, ethics, teamwork, and other soft skills— by providing a roadmap for technical professionals to develop these crucial competencies. Drawing on recent employer surveys and decades of experience, it highlights the importance of skills beyond technical knowledge and demonstrates how to apply them effectively in real-world settings.
This resource introduces the challenges faced by emerging technical professionals, illustrated with real-life scenarios. It guides the reader in overcoming barriers and becoming an effective, authentic leader. While featuring interviews with a diverse group of authentic leaders who started from humble beginnings. These interviews provide practical advice and call attention to the various paths to successful leadership, demonstrating that anyone can become a great leader with the right mindset and skills. This book also focuses on the tools and insights necessary to bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective leadership. The reader will learn from the experiences of others, understand what it takes to be a true leader, and prepare for a fulfilling and successful career. Discover potential, overcome doubts, and embark on a journey to become a leader in the world of engineering.
This book is written for technical professionals who aspire to move up the career ladder or are already on that path. It is designed to help its reader grow both professionally and personally, continuously improve, and be ready for ever-increasing challenges and successes. It will aid in understanding oneself, dealing with occasional failures, and learning how to respond and overcome them.
In this episode, host David Muller speaks with Graham Wloch, Director of Business Development at Visual Components. They discuss the evolution of manufacturing simulation, the importance of collaboration and customization, and how virtual and augmented reality are transforming the industry.
To stay up to date on all things manufacturing, visit us at advancedmanufacturing.org
About SME Media Publishers of Manufacturing Engineering, Smart Manufacturing and AdvancedManufacturing.org, SME Media are manufacturing industry thought leaders, keeping an eye on what’s next. From additive manufacturing, software, and robots to virtual reality and the Industrial Internet of Things, we keep industry professionals up to date on the innovations that are leading the charge of advanced manufacturing. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about relevant news, technology and advances that improve their ability to make decisions in an intensely competitive global environment.
In this episode, host Steve Plumb discusses the pressing issues of workforce shortages and skills gaps in the manufacturing sector with guests Chris Brown, Vice President of Sales for CADDi, and Jacob Sanchez, Industry Solutions and Community Development for igus Inc. They explore the role of AI in transforming manufacturing processes, the importance of mentorship in knowledge transfer, and strategies for creating a culture of mentorship within organizations.
To stay up to date on all things manufacturing, visit us at advancedmanufacturing.org
About SME Media Publishers of Manufacturing Engineering, Smart Manufacturing and AdvancedManufacturing.org, SME Media are manufacturing industry thought leaders, keeping an eye on what’s next. From additive manufacturing, software, and robots to virtual reality and the Industrial Internet of Things, we keep industry professionals up to date on the innovations that are leading the charge of advanced manufacturing. We are committed to keeping our readers informed about relevant news, technology and advances that improve their ability to make decisions in an intensely competitive global environment.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Amy Bryson speaks with Brian Ellis, founder and CSO of Docket, about the modernization of small and mid-sized manufacturing shop floors. They discuss the challenges these manufacturers face in adopting new technologies, the importance of understanding the unique needs of shop floor employees, and the steps that can be taken to drive digital transformation.
In this episode, host Steve Plumb speaks to a team from Castrol USA about the role re-refined base oils can play in creating a more circular economy. They discuss how Castrol is embracing circular thinking, why they are confident in the performance of their more circular lubricants and how these can support businesses looking for ways to reduce carbon from their operations.
Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson is joined by Mark Lilly, President and CEO of LillyWorks, about how manufacturers can successfully navigate Industry 4.0, machine learning and AI to make on time delivery an achievable goal.
Sheronda Carr, SME’s vice president of membership, and SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb discuss the benefits of SME membership for manufacturing professionals, including workforce development.
Want to become a member? Sign up today!
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb speaks with Jared Leick, Machining Center Product Group Manager for Mazak about the evolution of manufacturing technology, particularly focusing on the advancements in machine controls and the introduction of the NEO series. They discuss the importance of accuracy, automation, and how Mazak is addressing environmental concerns while meeting the diverse needs of manufacturers worldwide.
John Vincent, Technical Director & CAM Application Engineer at Swoosh Technologies & Solutions, joins Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how to use adaptive control and monitoring to revolutionize CNC machining.
IMTS is right around the corner! Editor-in-Chief, Steve Plumb, sits down with SME Media editors Cameron Kerkau, Lawrence Moebs, David Muller and Kip Hanson to discuss what they're looking forward to at the show.
In this episode, Steve Plumb, Editor-in-Chief, interviews Stu Johnson, VP of Product Marketing for Rootstock, about smart manufacturing and the role of ERP systems. They discuss the need for a smart manufacturing platform that can integrate data from various systems and provide visibility and control.
In this episode, Steve Plumb, Editor-in-Chief, sits down with Jeremy Dodson, Chief Information Security Officer, and Jay Korpi, Principal Cybersecurity Specialist, from NextLink Labs to discuss cybersecurity in the manufacturing industry. They highlight the convergence of IT and OT and the need for understanding the differences between the two. They also talk about common breaches, such as social engineering attacks and misconfigurations, and the need for comprehensive risk assessments and training programs.
In this episode, Amy Bryson, Contributing Lead Editor, and Tod Virden, GM of Advanced Analytics at GrayMatter, discuss aligning digital transformation with cybersecurity. They highlight the importance of making cybersecurity part of the strategy from the beginning and they examine examples of client solutions GrayMatter has worked on.
Tim Watkins, VP of Integrated Solutions at ECI, joins Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson to discuss how data flow between design and manufacturing, facilitated by an ERP solution, improves collaboration, functionality, customization and customer satisfaction.
In this episode, Chris Mahar talkis with Pdama Raghunathan, Product Marketing Manager at Deltek, about digital transformation for small and medium-sized manufacturers. They discuss the role of manufacturers in the defense industrial base and their contributions to the broader economy.
In this episode, Evan Kaplan, CEO of InfluxData, and Rick Bullotta, CTO and co-founder of ThingWorx, discuss the growing importance of time series data in the industrial sector with Contributing Lead Editor, Amy Bryson. They highlight the emerging trends and technologies enabling better data management and storage. They cover topics such as the role of time series data in AI and machine learning, the impact of edge data management and storage, recent technological advancements in IIoT analytics and operations, and the future outlook for time series data in the industrial sector.
Contributing editor Amy Bryson is joined by Corey Schwenke, Product Manager for Solid Round Tools at Sandvik Coromant, for a discussion about innovations in round tools and how to find the right tool for the job.
Upskilling workers to better understand and make the most of new technologies has never been more important. In this podcast, Amatrol’s Kent Powell and SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb discuss the latest training trends and techniques, including Amatrol’s innovative partnership with CESMII.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features host John Barnes, CEO and founder of Barnes Global Advisors Group and Metal Powder Works, speaking with Dawne Hickton.
Dawne Hickton is Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland Additive, Inc, an innovative 3-D printing technology company serving the space, defense and aerospace markets. She is the Former President of the Critical Mission Solution business of Jacobs (NYSE:J) and was the Vice Chair and CEO of Pittsburgh-based RTI International Metals (NYSE:RTI) before that. Hickton is notable for being one of the few women business leaders to manage a large publicly traded firm. She has a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh where she was also an assistant professor.
on Santavy, Partner and CRO at SimWell Consulting & Technologies, joins Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how to gain confidence in making big decisions through simulation, optimization and Digital Twin technology that generate big results.
For this Voices AMplified podcast, host John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powder Works, talks with Melanie Lang.
Lang holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois and an MS in Systems Architecture & Engineering from the University of Southern California and is a co-founder and the CEO of FormAlloy. Melanie is motivated by developing disruptive technology to deliver high-value metal components with superior performance. She currently serves on SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, the Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT), CMTC Board, America Makes Board, and is a Women in 3D-Printing Ambassador.
Tacit knowledge in manufacturing includes the skills and expertise workers gain through experience, observation and practice. In this episode, Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson is joined by two subject matter experts who share their practical guidance for manufacturers to leverage intelligence for optimal operations: Chris Brown, vice president of sales at CADDi, an AI-enabled platform designed to revolutionize how manufacturing drawings are managed and accessed; and Cathy Ma, vice president of Integrated Product Solutions at The Association for Manufacturing Technology.
Dominique Pouliquen, CEO and co-founder of Cintoo, joins Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson for a discussion about cloud-compatible technologies and solutions manufacturers should use for managing, and using, the 3D data coming from the digitization of the real world.
In this episode, Chris Mahar, Managing Editor for SME Media, and Graham Locke, Director of Business Development at Visual Components, discuss the importance of simulation for manufacturers of all sizes and the impact it can have on shop operations.
While some large manufacturers are starting to reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 tools, others are just starting their “smart” journeys. In this podcast, Steve Plumb talks and Kip Hanson discuss SME’s new Smart Shop Essentials publication, which is designed to help small and midsize manufacturers better understand and implement emerging technologies.
The additive manufacturing industry topped $20 billion last year and is forecast to soar to about $100 billion in coming years. In this podcast, industry expert Terry Wohlers and SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb discuss the latest applications, opportunities and challenges.
In this episode, Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor for Smart Manufacturing, talks with Nick Christie, vice president of East Coast Operations at TekVisions, about how manufacturers of all sizes can use industrial touchscreens to automate their operations. They discuss the benefits, challenges and considerations of smart technology deployment to achieve immediate ROI without breaking the bank.
Anthony Offredi, director of customer advisory for Quickbase, and Gary Mintchell, founder of the Manufacturing Connection, join Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how user-friendly, scalable software solutions are changing the game for manufacturers to connect disparate systems and unlock insights from data.
Grace and Tom McCubbin launched Darmok Designs to help manufacturers automate their operations and leverage contract manufacturing to optimize efficiency and deliver customize solutions. In this podcast, the dynamic husband and wife team share their unique strategy on pricing, innovation and tooling with SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb.
In this episode, Smart Manufacturing Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson speaks with Evan Kaplan, CEO of InfluxData, about how to turn time series data into actionable intelligence for swifter, better decision making in smart manufacturing environments.
In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Anthony Offredi, Director of the Customer Advisory Team at Quickbase, and Chris Mahar, Managing Editor at SME Media, discuss the current trends and challenges in manufacturing. They also emphasize the importance of people, equipment, and safety in shop floor management and they explore how Quickbase's no-code platform can help manufacturers connect a variety of systems and improve operations.
The pandemic and other recent global political events and natural disasters laid bare the vulnerabilities of widespread supply chains. But relocating factories takes time and money, and in some cases simply isn’t possible. In this podcast, Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute and SME Media Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb discuss the challenges and opportunities of moving offshore manufacturing back to the U.S.
In this episode, Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing, talks with Dr. Nikunj Mehta, founder and CEO of Falkonry, about the impact of AI on advanced and smart manufacturing. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of AI in the manufacturing industry, including time series data and the need for automation and explainability. Dr. Mehta also shares how Falkonry is simplifying AI adoption for manufacturers, as well as contributing to their sustainability efforts.
In this episode, Rob Schoenthaler, Chief Revenue Officer at ThinkIQ, and Amy Bryson, Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing, discuss the importance of leveraging a smart manufacturing architecture to identify and overcome manufacturing blind spots. They also explore benefits of an incremental approach to digital transformation, as well as smart manufacturing's potential impact on sustainability goals.
In this episode, Steve Plumb and Laurie Harbour, President and CEO of Harbour Results Inc., discuss the importance of manufacturing and the need to revitalize the industry. They emphasize the role of strong leadership in driving transformation and collaboration between generations. Laurie also highlights her new book, "Tradition Meets Transformation: Leadership Strategies to Revitalize Manufacturing", co-authored by Scott Walton.
In this episode, Chris Mahar interviews Robert McKeirnan, VP of Strategic Sourcing and Advanced Manufacturing at Upwing Energy, about the use of additive manufacturing in designing and manufacturing equipment for harsh environments, specifically in the natural gas industry. They discuss the challenges of working in corrosive environments and the need for materials that are resistant to corrosion. Robert explains how Upwing Energy utilized additive manufacturing for the core compressor component of their Subsurface Compressor System (SCS), and the decision-making process behind choosing additive technology.
Michael Pace, VP of sales for SmartSights, joins Smart Manufacturing magazine contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how to use data-driven analytics, reports and notifications to empower industrial operations with clear insights for more effective decision-making. Michael shares the top three things companies should do today to leverage advanced technology to achieve smart manufacturing success.
Mark Freedman, Product Ecosystem Senior Lead at Tulip Interfaces, joins Smart Manufacturing editor Amy Bryson for a deep dive into the smart manufacturing ecosystem’s role in ensuring Industry 4.0 success to future-proof U.S. manufacturing operations through open digital transformation solutions and a new industrial tech stack.
Do small and medium-sized manufacturers need to worry about Industry 4.0? Where would a SMM start on a digital transformation journey? 5G Technologies CEO Ananth Seshan, PhD, sits down with Chris Mahar, managing editor, to discuss these questions and more. Providing insights into how SMMs can excel and better compete in an increasingly connected market.
In this episode, Chris Mahar, Managing Editor at SME Media, is joined by Paul Perkins, CEO and President of Amatrol. Join them as they discuss smart manufacturing and the need for a well-educated workforce, as well as Amatrol's partnership with CESMII.
Berardino Baratta, CEO of MxD, joins Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine, for a discussion about how U.S. small and mid-sized manufacturers can achieve digital transformation and mitigate cybersecurity risks that threaten domestic supply chains.
Contributing Lead Editor for Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson is joined by two people from Falkonry who have a bird’s eye view into how AI and machine learning are impacting the manufacturing landscape: Dan Kearns, CTO, and Kevin Clark, VP of customer success. Dan and Kevin share their perspectives on industrial AI software solutions that drive substantial enhancements in productivity, quality and yield for manufacturers.
Bryan Saunders, global director and head of IoT industry consulting for SAS, a leader in advanced analytics, joins Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine, for a discussion about how manufacturers can harness and transform their data into usable insights to drive better decision making.
Patrick Gaughan, partner at Axiom Manufacturing Systems, joins Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine, for a discussion about how smaller manufacturers can navigate the complexity of smart manufacturing to achieve operational excellence.
Check out all of the companies mentioned at:
axiomsystems.io
bennit.ai
ambeeng.com
khenda.com
advantech.com
ThinkIQ.com
Learn more about CESMII and SME.
Dave Eifert, senior business development manager at Phoenix Contact, joins Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor for Smart Manufacturing magazine, for a discussion and step-by-step guidance to navigate the complexity of Industry 4.0 to achieve digitalization.
Contributing Lead Editor for Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson is joined by two amazing members of Manufacturing USA’s Modern Makers program designed to promote careers in advanced manufacturing. Aeon Williams is a software application engineer for Spark Photonics, and Rachel Swamy is a research assistant for NIIMBL. While Aeon and Rachel didn’t see themselves in manufacturing, they followed their passions in science and technology and found sustaining careers, challenging the status quo along the way.
CyManII’s Chief R&D Officer Wayne Austad joins Smart Manufacturing Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about creating economically viable and pervasive cybersecurity practices to maintain resiliency and prepare for the future.
Graeme Welton, CEO of Flow Software, joins Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine, for a discussion about how analytics software and solutions can help build the KPIs necessary to optimize manufacturing processes.
Contributing Lead Editor for Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson is joined by Adonis Summerville, a member of Manufacturing USA’s Modern Makers program, which is designed to promote careers in advanced manufacturing. Adonis is a senior metalworking skills instructor at the Jane Addams Resource Corporation in Chicago, and he shares an incredible story about how he transformed his life, and the lives of others, through the power of skill building and a finding a sustaining career path.
The flexibility, efficiency and performance benefits make 3D printing a perfect fit for a range of applications, including medical equipment, as manufacturing becomes increasingly decentralized and digital. In this podcast, Bryan Crutchfield, vice president and general manager of Materialise, shares his insights with SME Media Lead Editor Steve Plumb.
Eric Planey, CEO of SolaBlock, joins Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about the future of sustainable building technology and how smart manufacturing plays a critical role. SolaBlock is a construction tech and clean energy company that addresses the need for vertical, masonry-backed solar power to provide renewable energy for customers seeking green energy alternatives.
Manufacturing USA’s Modern Makers program seeks to promote careers in advanced manufacturing by highlighting success stories within the Manufacturing USA network. John Louka, Application Engineer at CESMII – The Smart Manufacturing Institute; and Rodrigo Perez, Manufacturing Systems Integration Engineer at MxD, the digital manufacturing institute and National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, sit down with Chris Mahar, Managing Editor, to talk about their experiences in manufacturing, the opportunities that many don’t know about, and the exciting careers available in the industry.
For this special Voices AMplified podcast, host John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powderworks, talks with Chris Williams.
Barnes talks with Williams, who holds a PhD and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, about being an agent of change and his passion of solving problems with students and companies through additive manufacturing.
Past-Chair of SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powderworks, is guest host for this special Voices AMplified podcast.
Barnes talks with Anthony Mott, Additive Manufacturing Leader at Wabtec Corporation, who shares his story leading and propelling both rail and transit vehicles towards world-class manufacturing in the additive space at Wabtec Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Today’s special Voices AMplified podcast features host John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powderworks.
Past-Chair of SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, Barnes, talks with Victor Champagne, Team Lead at U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory. Champagne, honored at the Pentagon in the Hall of Heroes, is the world’s foremost authority on cold spray technology, among many other achievements.
Medical equipment and devices are critical to the nation’s well-being—but only if they work properly and are properly validated. In this podcast, Carrie Pfeifer of Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, shares her insights on how to choose and use the best tools to optimize performance.
To learn more about the ZEISS CMM Validation Service, visit them at ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions
If you'd like to contact ZEISS directly, send them an email at info.metrology.us@zeiss.com.
To fully reap the benefits of advanced robotics, manufacturers must keep them up and running efficiently. This requires proper maintenance. In this podcast, Daryl Luke, Castrol’s global product manager, details how shops can best use lubrication, including the differences between oil and grease.
Manufacturers can reap myriad benefits by allowing machines to operate autonomously without having humans to stand watch, including greater efficiency, improved quality and lower costs. Unattended systems also enables line workers to focus on more value-added tasks. In this podcast, Jared Leick, Mazak’s machining product group manager, explains how to best implement such strategies and overcome potential hurdles.
Learn more about Mazak by visiting them at mazak.com
John Schulz, director of sustainability operations at AT&T, joins Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion on climate change and manufacturing, exploring ways connectivity solutions can lead to greater efficiency and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Rick Crabtree, product solution specialist, auto aluminum at Sandvik Coromant, joins contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about how to overcome challenges on the machine shop floor to optimize operations and lower die cast aluminum manufacturing costs without sacrificing quality.
To learn more about Sandvik Coromant, visit them at https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-us.
Strategic coach Jeff Kimball and fractional CIO Eric Sluss from technology advisor Net at Work join Amy Bryson, contributing lead editor of Smart Manufacturing, to discuss the optimal strategic planning process and technology roadmap to achieve business outcomes such as growth, efficiency or productivity. Make sure you also check out the companion webinar: Aligning Your Technology Roadmap for Strategic Success - Net at Work - SME Resources
Brian Matthews, CEO of ADDiTEC, joins Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about the latest disruptive technology to hit the market – ADDiTEC’s new portable robotic system, the Performance AMRC – P, which allows parts to be printed on demand from anywhere and supports 3D printing of reactive materials such as titanium.
To learn more about ADDiTEC, visit them at https://www.additec.net/
Today's special Voices AMplified podcast features host John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powderworks. Chair of SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, Barnes, talks with Christina Kurth Vice President of Sales, Sintavia.
Kurth shares her story and passion for the additive manufacturing technology sector, that enables a more sustainable world from flight, launch, and energy creation.
Next-generation digital manufacturing platforms must go beyond total quality with an even more comprehensive approach. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb speaks with Paolo Belluzzi, divisional manager for Marposs’ TESTAR unit, about the benefits of integrating monitoring, measuring, testing, and various shop floor sensors and data.
To learn more about Marposs, visit them at Marposs.com
Peter Andersson, Product Manager of Automation and Assembly Systems with SW North America, joins Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson for a conversation about the key drivers and tangible benefits of automation for manufacturers.
Jan Irzyk, AIMS Product Manager at ANCA CNC Machines, joins Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson for a conversation about how modern automation solutions and strategies can help manufacturers reach business goals and achieve resiliency.
AJ Alexander, Chief Revenue Officer of SORBA.ai, joins Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson to discuss two paths of implementing an AI platform to become more efficient, reduce energy, predict unplanned downtime, and help build a more sustainable future.
Naveen Poonian, CEO of iBASEt, joins Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson for a conversation about how manufacturers can develop and deploy programs to drive manufacturing knowledge transfer and attract a new generation of workers, the digital natives.
Jamie Goettler, Sr. Director of Metalworking Sales and Innovation for MSC Industrial Supply Co., joins Contributing Lead Editor of Smart Manufacturing magazine Amy Bryson for a conversation about how manufacturers can reduce costs, retain talent, and achieve greater productivity in an inflationary environment.
Cyberattacks are on the rise worldwide, and manufacturing companies have become a prime target. But implementing some key safeguards can reduce your risks. In this podcast, SME Senior Editor Steve Plumb talks with Theresa Lanowitz, Head of Cybersecurity Evangelism for AT&T Business, about the results of their latest Cybersecurity Insights Report.
Anthony Murphy, Vice President of Product Management at Plex, joins Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion about the need for manufacturers to cultivate a mindset and a culture of quality to improve the bottom line, attract and retain talent, and bolster customer satisfaction.
Frank Stone, National Sales Manager at CAPTURE 3D, a ZEISS Company, joins Smart Manufacturing contributing lead editor Amy Bryson for a discussion that cuts through the hype to reveal how the right 3D digitizing solutions can move business forward. Frank shares use cases and best practices to address pain points facing modern manufacturers.
Choosing the proper end mill is becoming more of a science than an art thanks to advances in CAD/CAM software, as well as more demanding applications. In this podcast, SME Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Scott Walrath, Ceratizit’s business development manager for solid round tools, discuss various considerations such as materials, micro geometries and tool coatings in the end mill decision-making process.
As cobot welding applications become more mainstream, manufacturers are finding the technology pays dividends in terms of efficiency, safety and their bottom lines. In this podcast, Joe Campbell, senior manager-strategic marketing & applications development for Universal Robots shares his insights on the future of automation and other recent trends with SME Senior Editor Steve Plumb.
James Newman, Head of Product and Portfolio Marketing at Augury, discusses how, for years, industrial companies have been told to follow the “start small and scale” approach when implementing new technologies. That has simply failed to yield measurable benefits. Today, leaders should “start smart, and go big” with purpose-built solutions that help reach goals quickly and at scale.
Learn best practices from Stanley Johnson, Director of Strategic Sales for Aerotek, a specialized recruiting firm that connects organizations with manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, and facility management professionals. As manufacturers struggle to find top talent, Stanley shares insights that can move the needle in bridging the skills gap today and in the future.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features host John Barnes, CEO and founder of The Barnes Global Advisors and Metal Powderworks. Barnes, chair of SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, talks with Irina Schatorje, Global Director Marketing & Communications at Additive Industries. Schatorje shares her story and passion for additive manufacturing: making the impossible, possible.
Brian Winters, North America Product Manager for Absolute Arms at Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, talks about the Southern California origins and historical milestones in the evolution of the Romer Product into the Hexagon Technology Portfolio. He shares prescriptive advice for manufacturers to capture and process real-world data for positioning and inspection, enabling manufacturers to access, analyze, and actively leverage data from all key stages of the manufacturing process.
When it comes to connectivity, one size or type of communication doesn’t fit all manufacturing requirements. There are a lot of options. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb breaks down the pros and cons of the various cellular, Wi-Fi and Ethernet alternatives with Jason Inskeep, assistant vice president for AT&T’s 5G and Private 5G Center of Excellence. In many cases, as companies continue to digitize and automate their facilities, 5G can provide significant benefits in terms of speed, coverage, latency, and overall performance.
In this podcast, Ericsson's Per Treven and SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb discuss the current challenges and trends in Smart Warehousing and how can technology such as Private 5G make a positive business impact.
Production processes are becoming more flexible and advanced. Metrology is keeping pace with automated, touch-free 3D technologies. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and CAPTURE 3D’s Tony Wright talk about the latest solutions, including integrated hardware and software platforms.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host John Barnes, CEO and founder of Barnes Global Advisors Group and Metal Powderworks. Barnes , the current chair of SME’s AM Technical Leadership Committee, talks with Paul Gradl about his 18-year career in additive manufacturing (AM) and how far the industry has come. Gradl, a formally trained systems engineer, is a Principal Engineer and leader in liquid rocket engine combustion at NASA. Barnes and Gradl discuss the early days of AM and how the full potential is still yet to be realized. While the technology has matured, they note that there is still quite a bit of work to be done to educate the manufacturing industry on the application, uses and potential of AM.
In this podcast Plex’s Gerry Abbey, Market Research and Intelligence Manager, and Tony Kaczmarek, VP of Product Management, join Contributing Lead Editor Amy Bryson in a discussion around sustainability in manufacturing. Topics include building the business case for ESG and sustainability, as well as its potential impact on building a purpose-driven culture that attracts top talent.
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, and, in many cases, manufacturers can’t measure what they can’t see. In this podcast, ThinkIQ’s Rob Schoenthaler shares the company’s vision for the future of smart manufacturing with SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb. In addition to the latest automated and digital solutions, companies must integrate older equipment and manual processes into their Industry 4.0 plans.
Want to know how to differentiate your product and beat the competition to market using the latest digital manufacturing technologies? In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb talks with Nathan Lasnoski, chief technology officer for Concurrency, a business management consultancy, about how to best implement and utilize advanced manufacturing technologies and services.
Join John Dyck, CEO of CESMII and Jeff Winter, Industry Executive of Manufacturing at Microsoft as they discuss opportunities manufacturers & the entire ecosystem have when they make the investment in Smart Manufacturing…
They cover:
- The US adoption rate of SM/Industry 4.0 compared to Europe and Asia
- The importance of investing Smart Manufacturing First Principles & why it’s critical
- The factors impacting “pilot purgatory”
- How to get small, medium manufacturers involved and where should they start?
Today’s industrial workforce has been underserved by technology. This is a paradox given that five decades of industrialization have been focused on scaling production using machines.
All industrial managers are familiar with lean, a way of thinking (and acting) that focuses on eliminating waste and streamlining processes to save time, space, materials, and money. For years now, we have sought to achieve this through machine efficiency. However, that has not worked so well, because machines don’t (yet) innovate and are not at the center of the production process. In addition, manufacturing is still full of paper-based processes, and even if companies are investing in expensive machines and even robots, in many cases their workers are not communicating optimally electronically. Instead, when you empower your frontline workers by giving them easy access to the tools and technology they need to do their jobs, you are investing in their growth, productivity, and loyalty. It’s when people thrive that they innovate.
Enter: The Augmented Lean Framework, which entails significantly more than lean plus digital. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Trond Undheim, Lead Ecosystem Evangelist for Tulip, discuss the concept of Augmented Lean, and how we chart a new management framework for the important challenge of moving from industrial automation to worker augmentation. Trond's most recent book isAugmented Lean: A Human-Centric Framework for Managing Frontline Operations, co-authored withTulip CEO Natan Linder.
When it comes to digital transformation, SMBs need to go from reactive to proactive. In this podcast, Mustafa Ozturk, COO of ProManage, outlines three easy steps SMBs can take for successful digital transformation, where the right enterprise-grade tools can give small and nimble manufacturers a competitive advantage.
In this podcast, Greg Farrar, Head of R&D and Plant Manager at CpK Interior Products and Graham Synott, Process Engineer – IT Systems at Linamar, will share their experiences in successfully getting pilot programs off the ground and quickly demonstrating ROI to stakeholders. They will be joined by Praemo’s President and COO Paul Boris and Vice President of Strategic Accounts Mike McFarlin to discuss the challenges and opportunities with machine learning in manufacturing.
Foam, rust, skin irritation and odor—these are all potential problems that job shops face from not using and maintaining the right metalworking fluids. In this podcast, Joe Bennick and John Frauenhoffer from Castrol’s Industrial business talk with SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb about the importance of proper fluid management to boost the efficiency and performance of factory machinery and equipment.
Manufacturers everywhere are looking to improve their operational efficiency and profitability. In this podcast, Rob Longfellow, CTO of Juxtum, shares his perspective on how companies, from small and mid-sized manufacturers to OEMs, can harness accurate, real-time, and actionable data to drive efficiencies, boost the bottom line, and manage the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host John Barnes, CEO and founder of Barnes Global Advisors Group and Metal Powderworks. In addition, he is the vice-chair of SME’s AM Technical Leadership Committee. Barnes talks with championship race car driver Brad Keselowski, owner of Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing, about how he got involved with additive manufacturing and the potential—and challenges—for the technology.
Analysts at Gartner predict that organizations that employ “composable” software tools will outpace competition by 80% in the speed of new initiative implementation by 2023. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Russ Waddell, Community Lead for Tulip, discuss how manufacturers are using composability systems to empower workers and achieve quantifiable results.
Staying cool on the plant floor can be challenging—but it doesn’t have to be. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Alex Risen, marketing manager for Big Ass Fans, discuss how manufacturers can optimize the use of industrial fans to improve operating efficiencies while creating a more comfortable environment for workers.
Staying cool on the plant floor can be challenging—but it doesn’t have to be. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Alex Risen, marketing manager for Big Ass Fans, discuss how manufacturers can optimize the use of industrial fans to improve operating efficiencies while creating a more comfortable environment for workers.
Flexible manufacturing offers a way to future-proof production operations. In this podcast, Paolo Avagliano, senior vice president of delivery and customer success at Bright Machines, shares his perspective on how to adapt to changing consumer demands and withstand unexpected market shifts with a full-stack, automated assembly solution.
IIoT (The Industrial Internet of Things) was a popular catchphrase five years ago, but is it still “a thing” today? In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb and Dave Eifert, a senior business development manager for Phoenix Contact, explore the latest advances in IIoT, digitalization, Industry 4.0, and other smart technologies.
Some 97% of manufacturers reported suffering delays or errors due to the lack of collaboration and poor documentation related to new products according to a recent survey. In this podcast, Pat Hume, CEO of Canvas GFX, and SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb discuss the growing problem of “Product Communication Disorder,” and how to prevent it.
Industry 4.0 uses a host of new technologies to optimize manufacturing efficiency. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb talks with Per Treven, director of business development-manufacturing for Ericsson, about how advanced 5G networks and “limitless” connectivity enable next-generation systems and maximize ROI.
Industry 4.0 uses a host of new technologies to optimize manufacturing efficiency. In this podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb talks with Per Treven, director of business development-manufacturing for Ericsson, about how advanced 5G networks and “limitless” connectivity enable next-generation systems and maximize ROI.
Manufacturers are beginning to use mixed-reality technology for everything from training and remote inspections to aiding complex assembly, repair and maintenance, safety, and quality assurance. In this podcast, Yan Simard, CEO of Kognitiv Spark, and SME Media Senior Editor Steve Plumb discuss the various applications and benefits of the emerging technology.
In this podcast, SME contributing Editor Michael Anderson talks with Rein Torm, co-founder and CTO of Fractory, a decentralized “online manufacturing service” that offers instant price quotes and pairs customers with an optimal supplier. Rein discusses the need for the service, how it got started and the company’s recent expansion from Europe to North America.
Business in Tampa Bay is booming. In this podcast, Steve Morey, senior vice president of the economic development for the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, and Jamie Harden, president and CEO of Creative Sign Designs, share their insights with SME Media senior editor Steve Plumb about the region’s resources and opportunities for creating and sustaining successful manufacturing operations in the heart of the Sunshine State.
In this podcast, Kevin Jones, CEO of Ectobox, talks to SME Media contributing editor Michael Anderson about what manufacturers need to know about getting started with data collection and analytics. “Smart manufacturing” is still a nebulous concept for many suppliers, all of whom need to keep a sharp eye on their bottom line. In this discussion, Kevin Jones shares some of their most common questions and concerns—and offers useful, accessible answers.
In this episode, SME Senior Editor Bruce Morey sat down with Ande Hazard, VP of Manufacturing Solutions at AT&T Business to discuss how manufacturing is poised to begin experiencing significant benefits from 5G and how 5G will spur manufacturing of the future.
In this podcast, John Derry, senior application engineer at Promess, talks to SME Media contributing editor Michael Anderson about reducing complexity in assembly equipment. Derry discusses how assembly systems may become unnecessarily complex--and how that complexity can reduce quality and increase costs. Derry goes on to describe effective ways of addressing these issues and to reduce and even eliminate unnecessary complexity.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host Bryan Crutchfield, vice-president and general manager at Materialise and an advisor for SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, and Andy Christensen, adjunct faculty in the radiology department at the University of Cincinnati, as well as the 2022 chair of the Radiological Society of North America’s 3D Printing Special Interest Group for Medical Devices, a Fellow of the SME and AMUG, and recipient of SME’s AM Achievement Award in 2009. Crutchfield and Christensen discuss in-depth the promise and challenges AM for medical.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host John Barnes, CEO and founder of Barnes Global Advisors Group and Metal Powderworks. In addition, he is the vice-chair of SME’s AM Technical Leadership Committee. Barnes talks with Jon Meyer, CEO of APWorks, about their personal experiences in the growth and future of additive manufacturing.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host Bryan Crutchfield, vice-president and general manager at Materialise and an advisor for SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, and Fried Vancraen, founder and CEO of Materialise. Bryan and Fried explore the beginnings of Materialise and some of the decisions—good and bad—that have led to the success of the company today.
This special Voices AMplified podcast features guest host Bryan Crutchfield, vice-president and general manager at Materialise and an advisor for SME’s AM Technical Community Leadership Committee, and industry legend Greg Morris. Bryan and Greg discuss the emergence of metal AM, predict how it will evolve into the future and what potential impact it might have on your business. Exploring how AM is an important, emerging technology but that it doesn’t and sometimes cannot cost effectively replace traditional manufacturing.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Greg McHale of Datanomix about what he views as the Fatal Flaws of First Generation Monitoring Systems. This podcast is sponsored by our guest.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Mike Harris of Acieta how the myth of robots “stealing” jobs is not true, but how robots can actually help manufacturers retain their employees.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses some of the issues faced by mid-market manufacturing firms when it comes to securing the talent they need. While the COVID pandemic has highlighted many problems, others existed before the pandemic and are still a problem that need addressing.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses some of the core concepts around successful milling with Chuck Somerville of Ceratizit.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how best to implement cobots in your machining or manufacturing environment with Jason McCurdy, the Vice President of Automation and Applications for Phillips Corporation.
The role of engineers needs to evolve as new tools in data analysis becomes available to them to solve the more challenging problems of today. Big data analysis, the set of mathematical tools for analyzing problems called Artificial Intelligence, and the growing ability to capture more data easily and cheaply means today’s engineers need to evolve.
Additive manufacturing is evolving rapidly, and some might say we should be expecting a “next wave” in manufacturing driven by this evolution. This will impact the industry, but how? In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses this Desktop Metal’s CTO Jonah Myerberg.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses AI in manufacturing with Bobby Uhlenbrock VP of Product for Xometry.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with guests Jush Danielson and Bindu Sundaresan of AT&T how manufacturers are investing in digital technologies like IoT and 5G to gain visibility into their operations, improve efficiencies in their processes and enable new revenue opportunities. However, these digital transformation initiatives expand the attack surface and risk for a breach in their network. A sound cybersecurity strategy is important to help protect critical infrastructure.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how data is best analyzed and manipulated to achieve smarter, if not smart, manufacturing.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Jason Spera, CEO for Aegis Software how to make Manufacturing 4.0 a reality in your company.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses Techniques for Problem Solving for Engineers with Melisa Buie Corporate Director for Operational Excellence at Coherent.
Melisa describes her work in simple terms: she makes lasers and solves problems. Today we’ll hear how she tackles complex engineering and business problems as the Corporate Director for Operational Excellence at Coherent. Melisa is also the author of Problem Solving for New Engineers.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Jeff Huerta, VP of Sales at Vecna Robotics about how to deal with difficulties with hiring and high staff turnover rates. These are two of the top problems manufacturing facilities are facing today.
To effectively address these challenges, leading facilities are increasingly turning to self-driving equipment like Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to extend the staff they already have and increase growth opportunity.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Glenn Nausley of Promess how four intersecting trends in Manufacturing are changing the role of the technology supplier and how technology suppliers need to respond.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how companies can order up to thousands of metal parts from additive manufacturing using Xometry’s online ordering service. Joining on the podcast is Greg Paulsen, Director of Application Engineering from Xometry and Rick Lucas, CTO from ExOne.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Bryan Stusak – National Product Manager – Milling Tooling for small CNC’s
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Clay East of Iscar some innovative tooling the company has developed for swiss turn machines.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses the challenges of running a manufacturing company with Guest Karla Trotman, CEO of Electro Soft, Inc. Challenges she and her company has successfully navigated is not only COVID, but also the challenges of taking on a company her father founded, finding skilled talent and diversity, equity, and inclusion in a time when these issues are becoming more important.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how a new company is changing the paradigm in delivering prosthetics, especially pediatric patients. Easton LaChappelle, founder and CEO of Unlimited Tomorrow discusses how advances in 3D printing and software design tools from Siemens NX allowed him to offer mass customization affordably, and speedily.
Integrate lasers onto PICs? Use silicon to make PICs? Co-package optics with electronics? This institute is tackling it all.
Listen to the story from our June 2021 Smart Manufacturing magazine issue.
In this podcast, Scott Walker chairman of Mitsui Seki USA and Bruce Morey Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine discuss the most important technical trend affecting machining and manufacturing today—the rapid advance of computing.
Military, government, and civil protection agencies across the globe are investigating and adopting additive manufacturing for a wide range of applications and use cases. Forecast 3D has worked with countless defense contractors around the country and is positioned to assist engineers, designers, and procurement teams in navigating the next generation of industrialization. In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses additive manufacturing with Guest John Sutterfield, Director of Project Management for Forecast 3D.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how the pandemic may, or may not, change manufacturing in the future. He is joined by guest Russ Fadel, CEO & Co-Founder at Augmentir.
Additive manufacturing is growing rapidly, as are the digital tools that are used to manage the AM production process. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Mathieu Pérennou, Global Business Development Director, Additive Manufacturing for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, about design and engineering software solutions for metal and polymer AM; solutions for post-processing operations; metrology solutions in AM; and all of how these solutions tie together.
Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine cover story: 25 leaders transforming manufacturing.
Vision systems offer new ways to measure and inspect parts. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Brad Bartmess, Sales Director—Vision Group for Nikon Metrology about key features that video measuring systems offer; the differences between a vision system and a multi-sensor vision system; various sensors that can be added to a vision system or a traditional CMM; key capabilities that a video measuring system can achieve that a traditional CMM cannot; and what applications and industries are the most appropriate for vision systems.
In quality control operations, technicians may need to see right through the part. That’s when X-ray CT technology becomes a highly effective choice. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Andrew Ramsey, X-ray CT Consultant for Nikon Metrology, about key features and capabilities that X-ray CT technology offers for additive manufacturing (AM); challenges in AM where X-ray CT can provide a solution; the different types of measurements that can be done with X-ray CT; and how to ensure the accuracy of these measurements.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses why manufacturers should seriously consider electric presses and actuation systems in lieu of hydraulic or pneumatic ones. Discussion is with Stephanie Price, Senior Application Engineer-Promess.
With IoT and Industry 4.0 being the omnipresent new paradigm in manufacturing, increasing the speed, amount, and accuracy of data generation is a critical necessity. Solutions the integrate metrology data should dramatically increase productivity, reduce errors, provide full documentation and automate the acquisition process. Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses all this with Jeff Wilkinson. He is the Director of Research & Development at The L. S. Starrett Co. Click here to learn more.
How to step on the gas with regard to the long-planned digital transformation in manufacturing? Jaci Sager, VC Portfolio Manager at Caterpillar, and Paul Boris, Chief Revenue Officer at Praemo, have some answers. For teams that are seeing success, is it the technology they chose? Is it the leaders tasked with facilitating it? Or is it some combination of both? The answer might seem obvious, but the path is not.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses how new internet tools can help you with maintaining your manufacturing equipment with Sam Wright. He is a Director of Business Development at The UP! App. Click here to learn more.
Sharing design files is a critical part of manufacturing operations, but typical file-sharing operations can create challenges for the people involved. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Jim Zwica, Director of Manufacturing Solutions for Vertex, about the purpose of sharing files in manufacturing; the primary challenges and problems it causes; and new alternatives to file sharing that may be a better option for many companies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for the manufacturing industry and its professional associations. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine and Brett Brune, editor in chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine, talk with Bob Willig, who joined SME as CEO on January 1 as executive director and CEO. Among other topics, Willig comments on why he joined SME; what the industry should expect out of SME post-pandemic; the outlook for manufacturing; areas of opportunity for SME; aspects of smart manufacturing that interest him; and how manufacturers in general and SME in particular can target the workforce skills gap.
Jeff Huerta, Senior VP for Sales at Vecna Robotics, speaks on how successful companies are advancing their operations with fully autonomous material handling equipment, and how some facilities are achieving very quick ROI. He also describes the differences between an AMR and an AGV, and addresses the topic of safety. Lastly, he prescribes ways to get started with this equipment, including what upfront costs companies should be prepared for.
Today’s machine tools create an enormous amount of data. One way of using this information is to implement automated feedback processes that improve machining operations. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Scott Mahrle, director of business development for Q-DAS and Hexagon Integrated Solutions, and Frank Krazer, system engineer for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, about what automated machine tool feedback is and how it impacts the manufacturing process; how automated machine tool feedback can increase the efficiency of both people and equipment; how it can produce costs savings; and how manufacturers can build workers’ confidence in this process.
John Keogh, LIFT’s engineering director, shares all the things the institute and its additive manufacturing partners are doing to develop methods and techniques to better understand the materials and their dimensions – in real time - as they undergo the additive process.
There is not a lot that all manufacturers of every type and size have in common, but all struggle with same challenge—the skills gap and a changing workforce. John Hindman, Director, Learning and Performance Improvement at Tooling U-SME, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about how manufacturers can benefit from today’s multigenerational workforce. Hear John talk about best practices for training millennials and Gen Z workers to become high performers, and other workforce tips and tricks.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses collaborative robots, or cobots, with Steve Apel. He is a Regional Automation Manager for Acieta. In this role, he helps solve customer challenges through the adoption of new robotic automation technologies.
Italy has long been a key provider of manufacturing technology to the U.S. market. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Bart Pascoli, Project Coordinator for Machines Italia–and Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner-Chicago for the Italian Trade Agency about Machines Italia and its role in the North American manufacturing industry; the results of a recent Machines Italia awareness survey of 500 purchasers of Italian machinery in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada; key highlights from the digital version of Machines Italia magazine, volume 13, which is focused on Next Generation Manufacturing; and where to find more information about Machines Italia and its offerings to the manufacturing industry.
As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, trades shows are once again on the horizon around the globe. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, interviews Bart Pascoli, Project Coordinator for Machines Italia, and Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner-Chicago of the Italian Trade Agency, about the plans being made for EMO Milan 2021, one of the largest machine tool exhibitions in the world, which is scheduled for Oct. 4-9, 2021; what is coming up 2021 in terms of North American digital and physical trade events that Machines Italia will be involved in; and other events, including a webinar with the ME Editorial Board focused on the results from a survey on manufacturing trends in the post COVID landscape and testimonials from Italian machinery suppliers.
Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine cover story: Twenty women making their mark in robotics & automation
EnvisionTEC CEO Al Siblani—whose firm is being purchased by Desktop Metal—discusses photopolymers’ move from prototyping to production. He gets into how he sees the sale will impact his company, as well as Desktop Metal and the 3D printing market in general. For the uninitiated, he also patiently explains how the 3d printing of polymers has progressed over the years. Last but not least, he details EnvisionTEC’s plans for growth—and asserts that the cost of 3D printing has reached a point where it is disrupting plastics.
Cybersecurity is growing more critical every year. Much of the focus has been on protecting information technology (IT) assets, and operational technology security can be been overlooked. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Michael Rothschild, Senior Director of Marketing for Tenable about what has changed to cause operational technology security to gain a high profile; how OT environments are different from, and similar to IT; what types of attacks are impacting OT environments; what can happen if an OT attack is successful; common methods for detecting OT based attacks; and how proactive security is a powerful strategy for OT security.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Dan Doiron, Milling Product Manager, EMUGE how to extend tool path distance during pre-finishing and finishing operations in five-axis machining with EMUGE’s circle segment cutters. Learn more.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Jennifer Taylor, Vice President of Business Development, Central Florida Development Council (CFDC) the opportunities for companies who want to establish manufacturing centers in Central Florida.
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been a game changer in how products are designed, produced and manufactured. But 3D printed parts don’t just come out of the machine ready to use, sometimes intensive manual post-processing is required. Jeff Mize, CEO of PostProcess Technologies, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to discuss their automated post-processing technology and how fully digitalized additive manufacturing is further benefiting the industry.
Some machining applications need more torque than others, and gear head spindles can provide it. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Nick St. Cyr, Product Manager for Methods Machine Tools about gear head spindle and why machine shops may need them; the different styles of gear head spindles; the principal applications that require gear head Spindles; the main benefits of a gear head spindle; the programming challenges when using a gear head spindle; and the other features of the machine need to be taken into consideration for a machine with a gear head spindle.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Lisa Ryan, Chief Appreciation Strategist for Grategy why engaging and recognizing employees is so important and the right way to go about doing it. With approximately 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, it’s more important than ever to attract the best employees you can hire while dealing with an ever-shrinking talent pool. Although the past decade has focused on Millennials, Gen Z has arrived, and they are “wired” completely different than their Millennial counterparts. In this session, you’ll learn the characteristics of your newest employees and how to acclimate your company and your leadership for their arrival.
Welding has been around for millennia, but today’s technology doesn’t often benefit from the information- and feedback-rich technologies that its machining cousin does. Christopher Ripley, Director of Business Development, and Eduardo Almeida, Director of Engineering, Innovation and R&D for BrandTech®, sit down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about the company’s BrandTech® Precision Welding system and how its computer-controlled system differs from traditional stud welding.
Manufacturing cost accounting can be a challenge even for seasoned financial accountants. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with David Lechleitner, Senior Consultant for Ultra Consultants, about how manufacturers can understand how to more accurately cost jobs; the costing options available in most ERP solutions; and how to effectively utilize them to identify “winners” from “losers.”
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Robert Ravensbergen Marketing Director-Omnirobotics how today’s automation technology can make your manufacturing operation autonomous and its benefits to companies with a high mix of products.
The ARM Institute umbrella created “the perfect ecosystem to collaborate and remove barriers,” says Juan Aparicio of Siemens Technology. His company recently acted with unusual speed – and in concert with Maxim BioMedical, Siemens Healthineers, Henderson Sewing Machine Co., Yaskawa America, HomTex and FedEx – to help protect Americans dealing with COVID-19 using robotic and flexible automation technology. Several projects, with Siemens Technology as lead, are currently ongoing and will contribute to fight the pandemic at different fronts: having faster tests, higher levels of mask automation and more autonomous disinfecting capabilities. They also greatly shrank the time it takes to write proposals and get contracts inked.
When it comes to addressing the skills gap and enabling a more productive workforce, manufacturers need to take a look at all the tools at their disposal. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Scott Goforth, Product Marketing Manager for Gorbel Inc. about the skills gap and how companies can deal with the challenges it poses; strategies for companies seeking to lower costs and increase customer service levels; how manufacturers can acquire custom solutions to enhance the effectiveness of their operations; and how the manufacturing landscape has changed in the COVID era.
Lean is a way of life for many manufacturers and an opportunity for those who haven’t yet started their lean journey. But identifying who in your organization should lead the charge isn’t always clear. Process improvement and manufacturing strategy specialist Jeff Sipes, Owner and Principal, Back2Basics LLC, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to shine a spotlight on the lean leaders you can find within your own organization. From identification to development, Jeff details the role of lean leaders within an organization—from senior executives to the front-line.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Kevin Rohrbach, Head of North America for Zehnder Clean Air Solutions strategies to manage welding smoke and fumes in your manufacturing facility, and how this helps your bottom line.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Glenn Nausley, President of Promess, how technological advances in making standard equipment can lower manufacturing costs.
Manufacturing is growing in the U.S., but there are not enough skilled workers to fill all of the available jobs. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Joe Mazzeo, Owner of Integrated Lean & Quality Solutions, about why is not having enough skilled trades in manufacturing is a major problem; the consequences of this problem; how the U.S. got into the position of not having enough young people going into skilled trades; and what can and is being done to get more young people interested in and pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Carl Dekker President of Met-L-Flo, Inc. on how to embrace Additive Manufacturing. This will cover the costs of equipment, personnel, and incidentals. Also discussed will be the design considerations that make AM excel.
As digital capabilities grow, industrial transformation is taking place throughout the world. What does this mean for manufacturers? In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Emmanuel Leroy, executive vice president of Industry Solutions for ESI Group, in charge of industry strategy, go-to-market and performance, about the transformation taking place in manufacturing due to advanced simulation capabilities; how the auto industry is using simulation technology to transform its design/build strategies; and where smart manufacturing is headed in the next three to five years.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses digital transformation with Jason Ray Co-Founder & CEO of Paperless Parts. The future of your business is more reliant on strategic initiatives centered on digitizing even the most common manufacturing processes like quoting, shop floor execution, and manufacturing management. As digital technologies become more prevalent, having a digital strategy and action plan allows you to reach your customers more effectively.
IIoT expert Steve Jones who will speak Oct. 29 at “The Best of SMX” (smxevent.com), describes in detail the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), as well as AI/machine learning and other promising technology for manufacturing’s future. Like with many things in life, it is important to set goals first, the Steelcase executive says. Not sure where to begin with IIoT? Never fear: Jones has the answer.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Jerry Foster of Plex the issues and concerns around artificial intelligence and manufacturing, and perhaps more importantly, how business leaders could manage culture change and adoption of new technologies.
Vecna Robotics’ David Clear and SVT Robotics’ TJ Fanning go into reasons manufacturers might want to consider automation and AI. They also look at how to test assumptions and scale with so many variables changing moment by moment. The adage “change is the only constant” has never been more apropos. So, it’s a great time to hear what separates a complex system from a complex adaptive system.
As automation technology becomes more effective, cost effective, and easier to implement, job shops are automating more and more of their processes. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Michael Gaunce, group manager, stationary workholding for Schunk Inc., about what a small to medium size job shop should consider when starting and exploration into automation; the particular machines or jobs that are easier to automate over others; why high part quantities are not needed in order to automate a job; what types of skills a shop should look for in employees working with automation; and how to define categories for the different styles of automation used in machine tool tending.
Quality is an issue for every manufacturer. It can rob profits, reduce productivity and damage relationships with customers. To tackle this issue, Mark Netzel, Vice President of Quality at Die-Matic Corporation, talks with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, about how creating effective problem solving doesn’t need to be complex. Manufacturers of all types and sizes can improve their products and profits through a process-based problem-solving program based on individual needs and resources.
In this Podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses up-front purchase price as compared to total cost of ownership (TCO) with John Krause, Applications Engineer with Promess, Inc. Manufacturers should be aware of how the total spend for equipment, when spread out over a few years of operation, may be higher for equipment that costs less to purchase up-front.
Cloud computing has become more prevalent in our daily lives and the ability to access the internet nearly anywhere at any time has allowed for manufacturers to become more able to view real-time shop data across all departments. In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine discusses using cloud-based business systems with Kevin Must, Marketing Manager for Lantek Inc.
Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine article: Pandemic makes case for more automation, robotics. Outbreak poised to prompt changes in the way manufacturers use automation.
Listen to this Smart Manufacturing magazine cover story: In the thick of the ‘herculean’ vaccine push. Moderna is among the companies able to tackle the most urgent of matters precisely because of their digital strength.
Catalytic CEO Sean Chou explains the difference between process automation and robotic automation, as well as what it looks like to use automation to augment existing workflows. Importantly, he describes how manufacturers can use automation to do more with less—to lessen supply chain pressures that have grown because of globalization and the Covid-19 crisis. And he details which processes manufacturers can automate to optimize resources and productivity.
Robotics have come a long way since the first industrial robot was installed at General Motors. Denise Ebenhoech, Regional Head of Advanced Robotics Applications at KUKA Robotics, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to discuss recent developments within mobile robots. From cleans rooms to job shops to moving entire airplane assemblies, autonomous mobile robots are helping manufacturers succeed in today’s advanced manufacturing landscape.
John Deere’s Eric Johnson discusses the company’s additive manufacturing journey—with an eye toward helping small and medium businesses get going in AM. Learn about the early days of getting one of the first AM parts, as well as unrealistic expectations of the technology and how John Deere is creating value with the technology today. Finally, Johnson provides tips on unlocking the value of AM for your business in five key applications.
Joe LaRussa, director of seat industrial engineering at Brose North America, takes on one of the most challenging topics in manufacturing today: Nurturing, recruiting and retaining talent that will help advance the industry’s digital transformation.
Grinding is a vital process for manufacturing and finishing precision parts, but some manufacturers overlook some of the key ways they can improve the grinding process. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Doug Henke, technical specialist for DCM Tech, serving the South & Southeastern United States and Mexico, about the main reasons a manufacturer should take the time to optimize their grinding processes; the root causes of some common grinding problems; high level optimization tips for grinding operators; and how selecting the proper abrasive can be a difficult task but is essential.
Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine in this podcast engages in a wide ranging discussion on Digital Twin technology with Ron Beck, Marketing Strategy Director for Aspen Technology, Inc.
David Tucker, automotive strategy and production development manager at HP 3D Printing, and Kyle Harvey, business unit manager for additive manufacturing at Extol, talk about HP’s recent announcement of polypropylene as a material for AM, as well as how Extol is involved in HP’s expansion of its 3D printing business.
Crean Inc. President James Crean discusses the post-pandemic future of manufacturing. His firm has been helping companies implement smart manufacturing tech so they can be more flexible and able to pivot, whenever necessary. Supply chains need to be brought back to the U.S., in part because of mass customization and “Amazon-time” demands, he says. He also prescribes ways for smaller companies to take advantage of demand shifts in the marketplace.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine host Tom Jones and Isaiah Weiner, senior managers for Amazon’s Cloud Services to Simulation & High Performance Computing and its role as one of the enablers that the Cloud provides for discrete manufacturing.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Vince Bovino, of the Bovino Consulting Group how four basic principles around incentive pay can improve an organization’s performance and profitability.
Digital transformation has been a major topic for manufacturers, but what exactly is it, and how can manufacturers use it to their advantage? In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering Magazine talks with Mo Abuali, Ph.D., Managing Partner at IoTco, about what Industry 4.0, IIoT, AI, and machine learning mean to the North American manufacturing industry; how manufacturers can create value from these tools; use cases that manufacturers should focus on; and the first steps manufacturers should take in order to get started in their own digital transformation.
As in other industries, U.S. forming and fabricating companies are experiencing a critical shortage of skilled labor. In this SME Media podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Robert Tessier, National Director of Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Airgas about the skills gap in the forming and fabricating industry; changes needed in the education system to fill the need for skilled labor; how automation factors into efforts to reduce the skills gap; and efforts at Airgas to develop workers for manufacturing operations, including a special program for military veterans.
COVID-19 has been a major challenge for manufacturers, not only in dealing with the economic fallout but also in how to keep operating while maintaining employee safety. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Robert Tessier, National Director of Advanced Fabrication Technologies for Airgas, about how companies can become more resilient and competitive during the COVID-19 pandemic; how they can enforce social distancing and use PPE to protect the health of employees, and with COVID-19 creating furloughs and reduction in force layoffs, consider how to recruit talent that fits their long-term needs.
The response of the 3D printing community to the specific shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic has helped to quickly raise the level of awareness of 3D printing and created a lot of buzz, but the realistic, scalable response has been somewhat different than what has been in the headlines. Matt Koons/Director of Business Development for Forecast 3D discusses this in this podcast, hosted by Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine.
Russell Waddell, managing director at the MTConnect Institute, dives into why so many standards exist, what manufacturers can gain from a digital factory project, and how they can cut through the hype—to at least achieve shop floor monitoring. MTConnect, a standard with more than 10 years of history, frees up manufacturers to focus on value-add functions instead of normalizing data. And it has been installed on more than 50,000 devices worldwide. Today, the use case is not just what happened or what is happening “what is going to happen: looking at … anything that is forward-looking and anticipating what will happen next.” Perhaps most important, embracing standards allows for quick and easy integration of all types and brands of equipment.
Finishing operations have traditionally been manual, but automation and robotics are making major inroads in this key manufacturing process. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Normand Stoycheff, Business Development Manager for AV&R, and Giovanni Bevilacqua, Business Development Manager also with AV&R about emerging trends in automation/robotics; the main reasons allowing robotics to evolve from traditional pick-and-drop usage to more elaborate processes; how robots help the surface finishing process throughout the industry; and how surface finishing operations are developing the capability to inspect and repair.
Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discusses with Tom Jones, Principal Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services on how manufacturers can work more efficiently and speed time to market with cloud based digital services.
Manufacturers and businesses around the globe are facing an entirely new environment for operating and selling due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s not just global pandemics than can test an organization’s ability to succeed. Associate Editor Chris Mahar speaks with Ankit Shah, Senior Manager, Product Marketing at Quick Base, about how low-code platforms can help businesses become more flexible and adapt quicker to market and operational changes. Building operational agility that can enable them to flourish in difficult times and markets.
Craig Zoberis and Davin Erickson detail how Fusion OEM discovered and implemented collaborative robots, or cobots. The company is now investing in future expert machinists by using cobots—and making headway in closing the manufacturing industry skills gap. They explain the phases of training for cobots, as well as how cobots “talk” with other machines—and how machines perform “handshakes” (and are therefore envied by humans who today are struggling with social distancing).
Auto collisions have long been a fact of life but taking care of the damage has become a more complicated task for auto body shops in recent years. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Shawn Moody, owner of Moody’s Collision Shops, based in Gorham, Maine, about how automotive products have evolved over the past four decades; how abrasive products have evolved during that same time; what are the costs and benefits of using higher-end abrasives; and the types of new equipment body shops need to purchase to keep up with new technology.
Diego Tamburini, principal industry lead for manufacturing in the cloud + AI division of Microsoft, reviews the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in manufacturing. He shares his thoughts about how the industry should respond—and lists the attributes of manufacturers best positioned to survive the crisis. Finally, he outlines new opportunities for developers of smart manufacturing software solutions under the “new normal.”
With the general trend towards offering a number of products as a service, this podcast discusses the idea of Manufacturing-as-a-Service with Greg Paulsen/Director of Application Engineering for Xometry, hosted by Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine.
New vibro-acoustic technologies are creating new opportunities, particularly in space engineering. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering Magazine, talks with Bryce Gardner, Lead Acoustic Scientist—Vibro-Acoustics, and Ignatius Vaz, Senior Technical Development Manager, both with ESI Group, about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the vibro-acoustic engineering industry; how the space industry, including rocket launching, is using vibro-acoustics; how vibro-acoustics is changing with modern analysis software and testing procedures; and how new ray tracing technology is contributing to launch-pad acoustic calculations. Click here for more information!
Deburring can sometimes be overlooked in production planning, but it is a critical part of forming and fabricating processes. In this podcast, part one of two, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Dr. LaRoux Gillespie, a researcher, engineer, manager, consultant, and writer with an extensive knowledge base on deburring and finishing gained from decades of both hands-on manufacturing and academic work. Dr. Gillespie is also a past president of SME. In this episode, the discussion focuses on key issues that create burrs in casting/forging/ molding, blanking and bending operations, and the basics of deburring in three key areas: burr properties, acceptable deburring, and cost effective deburring.
Because it is a production cost, reducing the need for deburring can help the bottom line. In this podcast, part two of two, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Dr. LaRoux Gillespie, a researcher, engineer, manager, consultant, and writer with an extensive knowledge base on deburring and finishing. In this episode, the discussion focuses on ways to reduce deburring costs in forming and fabrication operations, such as improving product design; preventing burrs; minimizing burr properties; and removing burrs during the main fab process. Also discussed are how shops can determine if deburring or edge finishing is needed, and how they can choose among the 124 different deburring processes.
Eric Kam, Product Marketing and Community Manager for ESI Group will discuss the various flavors of digital reality available today. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality are all discussed. But aside from games, dealership showrooms, and operator training which seem to be the bulk of applications discussed by the world as a whole, which technology is right for you? This podcast will help to define each of these technologies, compare and contrast, and learn which aspects of your organization’s goals can be addressed by the technology.
William Crane, CEO of IndustryStar, an on-demand supply chain services and software technology company, dives into what manufacturers concerned about supply chain risk can do to worry less. In his estimation, “on-demand supply chain risk management resources have really been taking off.” It is possible, he said, to build a “supply chain competitive advantage.” Heard of agile supply chain? If not, he explains it.
Marty Edwards, vice president for operational technology security at Tenable, discusses how chief information security officers (CISOs) are integrating and converging across all aspects of security, including people, process and technology. The goal: get an enterprise-wide assessment of cyber exposure and overall risk.
Combining beautiful beaches with a disciplined, ready-made workforce, this podcast looks at the advantages of manufacturing in Okaloosa County, Florida. To discuss why a move to the Florida Panhandle might make sense, Bruce Morey senior technical editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine is joined by Nathan Sparks, executive director of the Okaloosa County EDC.
A whole new layer of insight can be harvested inside factories with the data you already have, today. Companies are sometimes holding back from leveraging sensors and tools like AI and deep data analysis that would allow for it because of cultural gaps between, for example, IT and OT. Ownership issues can also be a problem if some are, say, building devices vs operating devices. Paul Boris, EVP at Praemo fights against using red herrings like security concerns inside the same factory to continue down the same old paths that limit performance. He understands how seductive risk avoidance can be. And he speaks frankly about this and other issues with Brett Brune, editor in chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine.
When it comes to machining, for as many opportunities as there are for amazing things to happen – there are just as many things that can go wrong. Dave O’Neil, vice president, SME Media, sits down with Don Davies, vice president, DP Technology Corp., the developer of Esprit CAM/CAD software to talk about how advancing technology is helping solve manufacturing challenges. Modern CAD/CAM systems are helping manufacturers increase productivity, cut waste, avoid disasters and boost profitability.
The manufacturing industry is on the precipice of a great remake where companies are accelerating from being merely producers of goods to producers of customer experiences. Digital processes has become a critical source of growth and a powerful way to increase brand equity whether its industrial, consumer packaged goods or anything in between. One way they are increasing effectiveness is leveraging consumer analytics, marketing automation and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. To discuss these trends and how best to take advantage of them, Bruce Morey senior technical editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine is joined by Rishabh Dayal, Head of Digital Strategy, Enterprise and Claudia de Lavalle Digital Strategy Consultant, both of Adobe.
Aerospace is thought of as the industry with some of the most advanced technology, including automation. However, especially in automation, that may not be exactly true. In this podcast, Bruce Morey senior technical editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Rick Schulz of FANUC America about some of the challenges and misperceptions in using automation more fully in aerospace manufacturing. Mistakes to be avoided, such as simply replacing humans with a robot, and how to use collaborative robots. The main message is that employing automation to its fullest requires a systematic approach to the entire manufacturing process.
As manufacturers work to keep critical operations humming along during the COVID-19 crisis, they’re tasked with protecting workers health while ensuring business continuity and operational readiness. Russ Fadel, CEO at Augmentir, talks with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, about how connected worker technology can benefit operations during today’s pandemic and when things return to normal. Enabling manufacturers to maintain their critical operations even when key workers and vendors are unable to be on-site at a facility.
*During the COVID-19 crisis, Augmentir is offering their Remote Assist tool free through the end of 2020.
April is National Welding Month and exciting things are happening within the industry. In this podcast, Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Monica Pfarr, Executive Director of the American Welding Society Foundation about what’s happening in the industry and what AWS is doing to celebrate. From the industry as a whole to the current market temperature and the workforce, this podcast is a welding one-stop-shop.
Like many disciplines, metrology has taken giant steps in recent years as new technology creates new measurement technology that is faster, more accurate and easier to perform than ever before. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Michael Wilm, business manager of calibration products for Renishaw Inc., about the emerging trends that are creating metrology challenges in the machine tool and motion control industry; the benefits of using six-degrees-of-freedom technology over single-degree-of-freedom measurement devices; and the labor-saving benefits of this technology for manufacturers and for their employees.
The trade war and disruption from the coronavirus are spurring companies to rethink their global supply chains, manufacturing processes, factory design, automation and workforce needs. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Rosemary Coates, Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute, about how the trade war and COVID-19 have affected manufacturers worldwide, why it has more companies considering returning their manufacturing to the U.S., the hurdles and issues to leaving China, and what decision-makers should be thinking about when planning for manufacturing in the future.
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The manufacturing industry has always been interchangeable with producing customer goods. But, increasingly it is an industry that must transform itself to become a producer of customer experiences. Whether industrial, consumer packaged goods, or anything in between, manufacturers have begun investing in customer experience, or CX for shorthand.
To discuss this new, emerging trend in this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine is joined by Rishabh Dayal, Head of Digital Strategy, Enterprise for Adobe and Claudia de Lavalle, Digital Strategy Consultant for Adobe.
In this podcast discussion with Rick Schultz of FANUC America and Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine, current practices in aerospace machining is dissected. Many shops today stick with the tried and true to reduce risk to schedule and profit, but that tried and true is stuck in the 1980s and 1990s. Rick discusses practical ways to get the most out of 21st century machining technology, by programming for the part and not the machine.
Additive manufacturing has made an outsized impact on aerospace manufacturing in a short amount of time. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Sean Henson, Global Product Manager, Composites & Additive Manufacturing for Ascent Aerospace, about the growing role of additive in the industry; the investments Ascent has made in AM in recent years; the kinds of tooling Ascent provides customers through its large-scale LSAM printer, and design considerations for manufacturers when they use large-format AM.
Mark Kirby, Registered Professional Engineer and Additive Manufacturing Business Manager for Renishaw Canada and Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering Magazine discuss the pluses and minuses of the still-emerging 3D printing technology that is sweeping the business press. We will take a look at common misconceptions and what, in our opinion, could be things to watch out for if any of our listeners are thinking about adopting 3D printing for their applications.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Contributing Editor Karen Haywood Queen speaks with Sridhar Tayur about what supply chain players are learning from COVID-19. The Carnegie Mellon professor covers the roles AM and cobots are playing. He also looks at what manufacturers should consider doing to be prepared for the next hugely disruptive event.
The use of automation is growing rapidly in aerospace manufacturing and many companies are looking for help navigating this new reality. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Randy Woolridge, global product manager, automation & integration for Ascent Aerospace, about the services Ascent provides customers in aerospace manufacturing and integration; the investments Ascent has made in manufacturing and assembly technology over the last few years; and the growth in the aerospace manufacturing industry and Ascent’s vision to keep pace with the industry.
One of the key challenges in aerospace manufacturing is how to measure and inspect the complex and demanding parts used in aerospace applications. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Mark O’Connell, applications engineer for ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions, about the challenges aerospace components like airfoils pose for industrial metrology; how to integrate measurement and inspection into aerospace production lines; and how this type of equipment differs from solutions available 5-10 years ago.
Composites are increasingly becoming a key feature of the aerospace market. In this episode, Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, talks with Doug Decker, aerospace consultant and retired technical fellow at Northrup Grumman – winner of the 2019 J.H. “Jud” Hall Composites Manufacturing Award. Decker shares his insights about composites within the aerospace market and a bit of history on how he got to where he is today.
Click here to make a nomination for the J.H. “Jud” Hall Composites Manufacturing Award for 2021
Pivot International CEO Mark Dohnalek talks with Smart Manufacturing magazine’s Brett Brune about not only Industry 4.0 but also how manufacturers are breathing a sigh of relief because of the China Trade Deal First Phase, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the arrival of Brexit. Dohnalek also details how Pivot has successfully alleviated trade tensions operationally.
When it comes to manufacturing – especially machining – the toolroom is the heart of an operation. The critical tool management, cleaning, assembly, presetting and delivery that comes out of the toolroom is what keeps manufacturing life pumping out on the shop floor. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, talks with Jeff Schemel, North American Sales Manager at Rego-Fix, about how automating their toolroom can benefit manufacturers. As technologies advance, automated toolrooms are enabling manufacturers to perform better in today’s competitive environment.
Alan Rooks and Brett Brune, editors in chief of Manufacturing Engineering and Smart Manufacturing, respectively, preview some of the actionable information readers can find in the February issues.
Terry Wohlers, a renowned expert on additive manufacturing, and Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for SME’s Manufacturing Engineering Magazine, discuss the present and future of AM in the medical and dental fields. Applications are discussed and skepticism addressed as the industry anticipates RAPID + TCT in Anaheim April 20-23 and the Additive Manufacturing for Medical Yearbook SME will publish in April.
When it comes to making something move, whether it be a robot arm, machine head, assembly line or more, you need to get the power from where it is generated to where the movement happens – enter gearboxes. Mike Quaas, President of DieQua, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor, to talk about the world of automation and how gearboxes are critical to its deployment. Gearboxes have been around for hundreds or years, but today’s engineers have more choices than ever in how to utilize their power.
SME Interviewed Reid Coe, President of COE Press Equipment at FABTECH in November 2019. This podcast explores Advanced High Strength Steels and the impact on Coil Processing Equipment. Advanced High Strength Steels are certainly making an impact in the auto industry, and we learn about the challenges they pose to processing equipment. The podcast covers the purpose of coil feed equipment in the pressroom, why advanced strength steels are more difficult to handle, and some of the design changes that COE implemented to process AHSS?
SME interviewed onsite at FABTECH Shawn Miely, Senior Marketing Manager for Pro Segment of MakerBot. Founded in 2009, MakerBot was one of the first companies to make 3D printing accessible and affordable with its first 3D printer, the Cupcake CNC. This podcast features a discussion about the new MakerBot Method X in general, new materials available, and additive manufacturing for professionals.
As manufacturers continue to see demand for tighter tolerances and less waste, new solutions are needed to solve challenges. Dave O’Neil, Vice President of SME Media, sits down with Patrick Cratty, Assistant Product Manager and Richard Bevers, Southern District Manager for BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling, to talk about new technology and products. Hitting upon how digital technology and advanced workholding designs are improving machining and eliminating persistent manufacturing issues.
SME interviewed at FABTECH Greg Morehouse. He is the Executive Vice President for operations, Acieta, a leading RIA certified and FANUC Authorized System Integrator. This podcast describes how Acieta defines custom automation and how one should approach the task of engaging an integrator like Acieta in procuring an automation system, whether your shop has three people or 300.
When it comes to making decisions for manufacturing, you don’t know what you don’t know. But solutions exist for changing this. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor for Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Egbert Schröer, Principal Program Manager Azure Industrial IoT & AI at Microsoft, to talk about artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Technologies that are enabling manufacturers to improve their business and manufacturing operations by uncovering the unknown.
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Today, an iPhone has more than 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that took Neil Armstrong to the moon in Apollo 11 – and the size and capabilities of today’s computer boards are making an even more monumental change in how we manufacture. All this technology gives manufacturers the capability to operate, as stated in The Six Million Dollar Man, “better, stronger, faster.” Christoph Berlin, Partner Program Manager at Microsoft sat down with Associate Editor Chris Mahar to talk about smart manufacturing and Microsoft’s Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) vision.
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Daniel Cortez, North American applications manager at MC Machinery, gives the low down on what challenges modern manufacturers are facing in today's market. He also opines on emerging trends that can help manage the challenges. Additionally, he explains the concept of manufacturing velocity, as well as why head technology is so important in fiber technology.
Cobots, like other robot equipment, started in material handling applications. However, this year, Universal Robots is introducing welding applications and other heavy duty metal fabrication. This podcast interviewed onsite at FABTECH Universal Robots' senior manager of application development, Joe Campbell. Universal Robots was one of the first companies to offer collaborative robots and built a business around partnering with third party developers of end-effectors and end-use. Joe will explain how cobot technology has evolved to the point of safely offering a cost-effective solution for welding, working with end-effectors offered by third party developers
Keeping stamping equipment operating at peak efficiency is vital for fabricating shops. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Joe Bortolameolli, product manager for Marposs, about why the use of monitoring systems on stamping equipment is useful and necessary, how the Brankamp monitoring system from Marposs works, its availability on OEM equipment and as a retrofit solution, and the key production issues monitoring equipment is able to identify.
Industry 4.0, Automation and 3D printing are three of the hottest topics in manufacturing, and this podcast targets all three! Listen in as Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Steve Fruehe, pre-sales solutions consultant, and Zach Gray, strategic business developer for Siemens about the basics of digitalization; approaches to gathering and storing the required data; and how app development figures into the equation. We also discuss new products and services for the fabrication and additive markets; how robotics has changed the landscape of fabrication and additive manufacturing; and what’s happening at the Siemens Additive Manufacturing Experience Center in Germany.
Can you imagine laser tube and sheet cutters that you can wheel around and plug into a wall outlet? 3D Fab Light makes such machines. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Joel Rosenberg, CEO of 3D Fab Light Inc., about where the startup idea for FabLight Tube & Sheet came from, how the company is able to manufacture in the high-cost San Francisco Bay Area, how its sheet and tube cutting machines operate on 110V 20A wall outlet power, and their capabilities in terms of thicknesses, cutting beds, and tube sizes.
Kevin Smith, senior commercial application engineer at Markforged, explains how the Markforged Metal X 3D printing process works, for starters. He also gets into how FFF metal printing differs from DMLS and other processes. And he goes over materials that can be printed on the Metal X, as well as the applications that are best suited for metal 3D printing.
Lubrication has always been a key issue on manufacturing plant, but new technology has advanced the science of lubrication in remarkable ways. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Jerry Robinson, division manager for Castrol LubeCon about lubrication issues and trends that manufacturers are dealing with; common lubrication challenges they face; and new services and products that Castrol LubeCon is focusing on.
Everyone knows that companies like Amazon have turned the business of purchasing consumer products upside down. But how is online purchasing changing the business-to-business purchasing world? Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, sat down with Kevin Weadick, President of Zoro.com, to find out. In this podcast, they discuss how B2B purchasing has traditionally been handled and how online purchasing is changing that equation; how online consumer shopping is setting expectations for B2B online purchasing; how manufacturers can navigate a “mixed market” of purchasing some of their products offline, and some online; and the services that Zoro has rolled out as well as the services it will be introducing in the future.
Time is money and reliability is what a company’s reputation is built on. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, speaks with Mike Marr, Applications Technician at Hoffmann Group USA, about their Parabolic Performance Cutting (PPC) series and Garant Master Tap line. Discussing how manufacturers can reduce costs, provide process reliability and reduce machining times in both machining threads and 5-axis copy milling.
When it comes to being successful, manufacturers today have more tools than ever to succeed. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Jeff Lage, President, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies at Ellison Technologies, about how Industry 4.0 is helping manufacturers improve operations through data collection and insights. Providing tips on how businesses can get the most capacity out of their machines, remove waste and enable their machines do more.
Manufacturing is changing and so is factory automation and robotics. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, sits down with Amber Fulmer, Eastern Sales Manager for North America at OnRobot US, about collaborative robots and the future of automation in manufacturing. Highlighting the importance and variety in end-of-arm tooling that is available for collaborative robots and how it impacts the work that gets done.
When it comes to assembly, especially of today’s sensitive electronics, batteries and more, precision is key. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, speaks with Greg Cooke, Applications Engineer for Promess, about servo technology and its benefits in assembly operations. Providing details about how servo technology can save money, applications where it makes the most sense and recent advancements in the space.
Manufacturing is thriving and advancing – creating new challenges for manufacturers looking to fill openings and attract tomorrow’s skilled workers. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, speaks with Tony Christopher, Regional Sales Manager for Carr Lane Manufacturing, about labor challenges affecting manufacturing and how to attract and retain tomorrow’s workforce.
Ever since the first industrial robot went online in 1961, manufacturers have been asking what, where, how and why should they turn to automation and robotics. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, speaks with Chris Voss, National Service Manager for Acieta, about the questions and answers facing manufacturers looking at robotics. Sharing how manufacturers can improve profitability, revenue, safety and quality through implementation of robotic automation systems.
Every manufacturer aims for faster, better parts. While chip making time is often the focus when it comes to time savings, Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Steven Baier, Vice President of Sales for Haimer USA, about time savings that go beyond cutting time. Highlighting how consistency, balanced tooling and presetting are helping manufacturers produce better parts in less time – improving their bottom line.
Turning to software over paper reports does more than just save trees. Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with David McPhail, President and CEO of Memex Inc., about how manufacturers can utilize technology to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and boost productivity and profits across their business. Leveraging software to solve elusive waste in any facility.
Cutting tool technology continues to advance, and manufacturers can take advantage of a wide range of new cutting tool products. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Tim Easton, National Sales Manager for NTK Cutting Tools about the company’s role in the North American market; key new product developments; attributes of the NTK staff and how they work with customers; as well as forthcoming new products and new tool materials.
The world of industrial 3D printing is constantly changing, and innovations are appearing in rapid succession. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Dylan George, Application Engineer for Ultimaker North America, about what these changes mean for users of industrial 3D printing. Topics discussed include the Materials Alliance that Ultimaker founded; which industries have best embraced the benefits of 3D printing; end use cases; the new Ultimaker S3, a smaller printer; and the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, an automated 3D printing solution.
Today's workforce is changing and workers stretch across four different generations. Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Denise Ball, Workforce Education Specialist at Tooling U-SME, about how manufacturers can succeed in this new environment. Offering tips on how to attract and retain new generations of workers without alienating more experienced employees and their contributions.
In this podcast, Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor of Manufacturing Engineering Magazine, talks with John Barnes, Founder and Managing Director of The Barnes Group Advisors and Purdue Instructor about earning a certificate in additive manufacturing.
Will Hastings, Solutions Engineer at Velo3D and an expert in sourcing metal AM parts, talks about the ultimate in “support free:” FreeFloating. How is it possible to release your parts from the build plate? What are the benefits of FreeFloating? How do you select parts for FreeFloating? Hastings explains.
Today’s machine tools and ancillary equipment are capable of gathering vast amounts of data. The question is how to analyze this data in order to develop ways to improve key processes. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Andy Henderson, Vice of Engineering & Data Science for Praemo Inc. about how data analysis impacts manufacturing, the data requirements to do effective analysis, and key methods of analyzing data for actionable results.
Joe Szymanski, VP of sales and marketing at LK Metrology goes into detail about his firm’s approach to Westec, including new products and services the company is offering and market segments in which it specializes. What sets LK apart from its competition? Find out here.
EMAG USA CEO Peter Loetzner reviews all that EMAG displayed at Westec in Long Beach—and describes the common challenges manufacturers face that EMAG offerings can solve. He also outlines the footprint of EMAG in North America.
At the Westec show in Long Beach, Calif., Cedric Hasenfratz, national sales manager at Zoller USA, explains what common challenges in manufacturing Zoller is determined to solve. He also goes over the company’s approach to implementing tool-management solutions.
The Skills Gap in manufacturing is well documented. The question is what we are going to do about it. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Dean Steadman, CNC Education Program Manager for FANUC America, about how manufacturing is different than it was 20 years ago; the key challenges that need to be met to keep manufacturing strong; why it is important for the next generation to study STEM related courses; the benefits to a career in manufacturing; and how FANUC helps students and current workers become proficient with robotics and CNC automation.
At the WESTEC show in Long Beach, Calif., Nicholas Kaczmarski, national sales manager at Beamer Laser Marking System, talks with Brett Brune, Editor in Chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine about branding updates and an increase in solutions offered to the marketplace. He discusses the challenges manufacturers are facing, and how Beamer can provide solutions to remove the obstacles in the way. And he explains what the company does that differentiates it from competitors.
With metal-based additive manufacturing creating a lot of excitement and buzz, learning how to plan for and use it to best advantages is important. Andrew Carter, Senior Manufacturing Engineer for Stratasys Direct, the 3D printing manufacturing services company talks with Bruce Morey, Senior Technical Editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine about the context and current best practices of metal-based additive manufacturing.
In today’s metalcutting operations, optimization software plays a vital and growing role. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Gene Granata, VERICUT Product Manager for CGTech, about the importance of optimization in metal cutting, how CGTech’s VERICUT optimization software can be integrated with major CAM systems, how Force optimization is an improvement over other optimization strategies, and the types of toolpaths that VERICUT Force optimizes.
How is support-free breaking the rules of Designing for Additive Manufacturing? Dr. Zach Murphree, Vice President of Technical Partnerships at Velo3d, talks with Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, about how Velo3d is enabling customers to print without the consideration of support structures, the types of applications it enables, and how it can actually improve the quality of printed parts.
Hidden energy loss can exist even within the most efficiently ran facilities. In this podcast, Han Tran, Application Engineer at Fluke Corporation sat down with Associate Editor Chris Mahar to discuss how to translate your energy management to money in your pocket.
With more than three decades’ experience in manufacturing, 2019 SME President Mark Michalski has seen significant changes and remarkable technology advancements in his career. But it’s what’s coming in the next few years that most excites and impresses him. In this conversation with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, Michalski looks back on his career, talks about what inspires people about manufacturing, and lends his perspective as SME president to what the next few years might hold for manufacturing: technology breakthroughs, process improvements, and how we’ll address the workforce gap.
As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” But the pictures created by Fluke cameras are worth so much more – saving time, money and helping employees work better. Justin Sheard, Principal Engineer for New Product Solutions and Sat Sandhu, Thermography Support Manager at Fluke Corporation sit down with Associate Editor Chris Mahar to explain. From acoustic cameras to thermal imaging, these cameras mean business.
When it comes to the flow of making something – from concept to design to ordering to production – manufacturing hasn’t changed as much over the last 50 years as many may believe. Gregg Bigleman, PhD, vice president of North American Sales at Sandvik Applied Manufacturing Technologies, sits down with Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, to talk how new technologies can improve this process. Today’s software and services are enabling a connected manufacturing environment that streamlines the manufacturing process into a single linear path, where information flows accurately and smoothly between the different stages and steps.
Relationships are the lifeblood of any organization and positively managing relationships is critical to successful sales. Adam Honig, founder and CEO of Spiro talks with Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, about proactive relationship management and how AI is changing how manufacturing companies sell. Combining CRM, sales enablement and phone systems together are revolutionizing how manufacturers interact with their customers and improving relationship management.
Metal additive manufacturing is changing the way manufacturing happens—expanding design and performance capabilities beyond what has traditionally been available. In this podcast, Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Ron Fisher, Vice President of Business Development at Sigma Labs about metal additive manufacturing and how their in-process nondestructive quality inspection system is enabling manufacturers to maximize their metal-based additive manufacturing operations and quality control.
There have been important changes at manufacturing companies, and that has led to changes in how they approach tooling and workholding. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Paul Lewis, Regional Manager for BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling about changes in tooling and what managers need to consider even before they make the purchase, how managers can find the balance the time it takes to do their jobs, process work and fill commitments, and what the future looks like for these manufacturers.
Today, you can get almost anything you want near instantaneously – and now this immediate feedback is available for manufacturing. Greg Paulsen, director of applications engineering at Xometry, talks with Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, about the company’s instant quoting process and manufacturing on-demand capabilities. Paulsen explains how manufacturers can benefit from manufacturing as a service, the growth of Xometry and their new Xometry Supplies business to help manufacturers source the raw materials needed to power their operations.
Manufacturers lose millions of dollars each year due to employee turnover. Jeannine Kunz, vice president at Tooling U-SME, talks with Chris Mahar, associate editor of Manufacturing Engineering, about Tooling U-SME’s recent “The True Cost of Turnover” report and the impact that employee turnover has on manufacturing productivity. In addition to talking about the impacts turnover has on manufacturing operations, Kunz shares ways manufacturers can retain employees and boost productivity.
Many people think that robots are putting people out of work. The real story is quite different. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with John Lucier, FANUC Automation Manager for Methods Machine Tools, about the myths and reality of robotic automation, how automation can be used in high-mix low-volume manufacturing applications, how small shops integrate automation into their production floor, and much more.
Presetters have obvious benefits, yet many shops still set their tools on the machine. Why should they change the way they’ve always done things? In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Rob Salley, application engineer for Haimer USA, about this key topic, the new technology behind Haimer’s Microset Presetters, and other toolholding technology, including how shrink-fit collets appear to be increasing is popularity and why shops should consider balancing their tool assemblies.
Metalworking fluids are a key part of the manufacturing process, but many shops don’t understand the critical importance of choosing the right fluid for their processes. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, speaks with Drew Borders, business development manager for Blaser Swisslube, about why metalworking fluids should NOT be thought of as a commodity and an “unavoidable cost” to a company, how metalworking fluids can be a strategic tool for manufacturers, and the role of new vegetable oil or ester-based metalworking fluids.
In today’s fast-paced business climate, manufacturers need all the help they can get in many different aspects of their operations—including marketing. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Damien Cabral, partner in TribalVision, about the marketing challenges facing manufacturing companies in today’s business climate, why a company would want to use outsourced marketing instead of their own staffers, and some real-world examples of how this process works.
Financial stresses on your manufacturing employees can hinder their productivity. In this podcast, Geoff Giordano, contributing editor for Manufacturing Engineering magazine, speaks with Mike Domingos and Marc Howell of Prudential Financial about their latest research into the ripple effect on businesses when employees encounter financial issues. They reveal some ways to tailor your benefits packages to help head off financial emergencies for workers – and preserve your organization’s overall financial health.
Measurement and inspection processes are becoming faster, more accurate, and more productive. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Frank Powell, product manager, grinder products for Marposs Inc. about where measurement and inspection systems fit during the production process, why the reputation measurement systems have for being very complicated is not true anymore, and how Marposs is positioning itself for the transition to Industry 4.0.
CAD/CAM software is one of the key elements in a sound machining strategy, and developers of this software take different approaches to creating, implementing and improving their products. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Don Davies, vice president, DP Technology Corp., the developer of Esprit CAM/CAD software about how post-processing in CAM is key to success in machining, DP Technology’s approach to post processing, and how the Esprit solution differs from similar products in the market.
Historically, a company who had a need for parts required their own expensive manufacturing operations or navigate complex and time-consuming negotiations with potential suppliers. Ben Redwood, Director of Supply Chain at 3D Hubs and the author of the 3D Printing Handbook, talks with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering, about how the company is connecting customers and manufacturing job shops together. 3D Hubs is helping manufacturers increase their bottom line by using 21st century thinking to help customers meet their 3D printing, CNC machining and injection molding needs. Ben is the writer of The 3D Printing Handbook, a top selling book on 3D printing for professionals. 3D Hubs is offering a free download of the first chapters of the book. To get your copy and to learn more about 3D Hubs, go to https://www.3dhubs.com/podcast/advancedmanufacturing.
At the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., Ascent Aerospace’s Sean Henson describes some of the new technologies and innovations in composite mold tooling. He also gives an overview of Ascent and explains the advantages Ascent's HyVarC tooling has over traditional composite tooling materials. Lastly, Henson shares how he sees AM impacting the tooling industry in general.
At the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., Lincoln Electric’s Mark Douglass talks about acquiring Baker Industries, experimenting in additive manufacturing—and planning to specialize in large-format metal AM: parts that are larger than a microwave. AM is a significant “growth leg” in the 124-year-old firm’s just-hatched 2025 plan, he noted. Among the concrete examples in AM his firm can point to already: Oakridge National Labs now has three of Lincoln’s robotic AM systems for producing large metal parts. Lincoln is set to this year open a 3D printing facility in Cleveland.
At the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., Daniel Martinez of Siemens Digital Industries patiently describes how OEMs and supply chain members that haven't yet taken up digitization move into it now. For the uninitiated, he also describes his firm's totally integrated automation (TIA) portal and how it helps companies in their production strategies. And, for those in the aerospace and defense sectors who still don't quite get the Digital Twin, he details its importance.
At the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., Lee Coleman, managing director of the U.S. machining division at Suhner, discusses the company's aggressive move into the robot tool area. He also talks about what his firm's new cooperative venture with PushCorp means for the future. And he gets into what impact composites have had on Suhner's business strategy in aerospace manufacturing.
In an interview at the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., George Barnych of B3 Technical Services details a demo project at the University of New Hampshire. The project addresses the promises of automation and IoT adoption. It explores ways to minimizing financial and technical risks for small and medium-size manufacturers. The underlying system is based on open standards. The project is being industrialized, and it is not yet open to the public.
At the AeroDef conference in Long Beach, Calif., Creaform's Payam Hariri explains who in manufacturing is using 3D scanning, as well as all the ways in which it is being used. It is a cradle-to-the-product-shelf tool tale: It begins with product development and ends with production and QA.
If you cut metal and make chips, machine tools are the lifeblood of your operation. Ryan Hegman, National Sales Manager, Caron Engineering Inc, talks with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Magazine, about how software and sensors can improve CNC machine tool life and performance. From better predicting and managing tool life and replacement intervals to maximizing precision through auto-compensation of tool wear, automating CNC machining is about more than robotics. Hegman shares how software and sensor automation can elevate your machining operations to the next level.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune interviews Stéphane Lannuzel, chief digital officer for operations at L’Oréal, in Paris. "The digital transformation of L’Oréal Operations is really led by our consumer needs. Our consumers have changed more in the last three years than in the past 30 years," Lannuzel says.
Manufacturing is growing more automated every day, and the fabrication industry is no exception. In this episode, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Mark Scherler, general manager of FANUC America about the latest FANUC robot technologies for welding and cutting; how solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things may change how manufacturing operations are performed; and strategies for shrinking the Skills Gap in the U.S.
Manufacturing analytics allows companies to use data to drive more effective decision making. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, editor in chief of Manufacturing Engineering, talks with Eric Fogg, chief operating officer of MachineMetrics, about the role of the Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 in manufacturing analytics; key new apps from MachineMetrics (MachineMetrics Health and MachineMetrics Service); the results MachineMetrics is seeing with customers, including machine builders and manufacturers; and where the industry is heading regarding manufacturing analytics.
Do you know the exact amount of downtime for each of your machines? Jim Finnerty, Product Manager, Wintriss Controls Group, sits down with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Magazine, to talk about the value of automating data collection on the shop floor. Finnerty discusses the benefits over manual data collection and how businesses can capture data’s low hanging fruit – getting the most return for the investment made. Learn how focusing on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) can improve your shop, benefiting worker and machine productivity while cutting costs and raising profits.
Think you know robots? Learn the facts in this podcast, when Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks robotics with Pete Rogers, Vice President, Operations for Acieta. Rogers talks about the challenges manufacturers large and small are facing and how robotics can address these macro issues. You’ll learn how robots improve opportunities and utilization of workers, help companies solve their workforce challenges and what impact labor shortages are having on manufacturing operations. Rogers also highlights best practices for deploying robots within your current workforce and how to know if they are right for you.
Growing up attending SME chapter meetings with his dad, 2018 SME President Thomas Kurfess, PhD, FSME, PE, talks with Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about his 35 years as an SME member and his year as SME President. Looking to the future, Kurfess shares his thoughts on how manufacturing can better engage and attract the next generation of professionals and what is next for the industry in 2019 and beyond.
The Skills Gap in the U.S is real and growing. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Jeannine Kunz, vice president of Tooling U-SME and vice president, director of training and development, about why manufacturers should be worried about the skills gap; factors contributing to the skills gap; and what manufacturers can do about it. They also discuss the Industry Pulse: 2018 Manufacturing Workforce Report; reasons why manufacturers should train their employees; what successful companies are doing to invest in their people; and the first step a company can take to start building a workforce training program.
The trend to robotic machine tool tending is picking up speed (as well as parts). In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Stefan Drakensjo, Vice President, Robots & Applications - Global Business Line Manager – Handling & Machining for ABB. The discussion includes how to define robotic machine tool tending; the benefits robotic automation provides for machine tool material handling applications; the benefits of vision systems; and how workpieces can be handled with robots.
Automation doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right strategy, job shops can install and use automation that keeps their companies competitive with larger firms. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Amanda Rosenblatt, marketing coordinator for Shop Floor Automation about her company’s approach to automating machines; how easy it is for someone new to automation to pick up on this technology and start using it; and how Job Shop Automations’ products integrate with automation or software solutions already in in use on the shop floor. The discussion also focuses on how job shops can use strategies for Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things.
Sanjay Thakore, business strategy manager for Autodesk, talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor, about how the cloud brings data, people and machines together, and the challenges often seen in manufacturing environments and how they are solved by the cloud during IMTS 2018 in Chicago.
One of the key aspects of business that is sometimes overlooked is the partnerships that develop between independent companies. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Ben Mund, Senior Market Analyst for CNC Software, the developer of Mastercam CAM software about CNC Software’s take on the value of business partnerships, how the company partners with developers and hardware and tooling manufacturers as well as other software companies, and the benefits to be found by collaborating with other companies.
Jay Elepano, optical CMM/SFG product manager for Zeiss Metrology LCC, talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor, about lasers, automation, cooperative robots and how to attract and retain a skilled workforce during IMTS 2018 in Chicago.
David Suica, president of Fastems LLC, discusses how automation and Industry 4.0 can be combined to help job shops overcome labor shortages and produce production. He talked to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the 2018 IMTS event in Chicago.
Steve Baier, national sales manager of Haimer USA, talks about Industry 4.0 issues that job shops should consider. He spoke during at the 2018 edition of IMTS in Chicago.
Training in advanced manufacturing technology is a hot topic as companies grapple with the skills gap. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, interviews Roger Tadajewski, Executive Director and CEO of NC3. Tadajewski explores the need for training in advanced manufacturing technology; how the industry can ensure that new workers are properly trained; how current workers can stay current with new technology; and how training will evolve and change in the coming years. He also explains how and why NC3 has formed a partnership with the SME Education Foundation, Snap-on Inc., and the L.S. Starrett Company to provide custom training in precision measurement for schools in the SME PRIME Schools network.
Wade Anderson, product specialist manager at Okuma America Corp., talks about his company's line of machine tools as well as the issues job shops should consider for automating their operations. He talked to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the 2018 edition of IMTS.
Mark Johnson, president of Tapmatic, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig about the tapping industry and tap holders made by his company. Johnson talks about Tapmatic products that were on display at the 2018 edition of IMTS. The executive also talks about the economy and how it has helped Tapmatic.
Italian manufacturers have a lot to offer, both in their home country and in North America. At IMTS 2018, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine talks with Marco Saladini, Trade Commissioner, and Bart Pascoli, Project Manager North America for Machines Italia and the Italian Trade Agency in Chicago. Saladini and Pascoli explain the role of the Italian Trade Agency and its role in the manufacturing industry; trends in the in the Italian manufacturing industry; how the Italian manufacturing industry is approaching Industry 4.0 and the digitalization of manufacturing; and how the Italian Trade Agency provides information, support, and advice to Italian and foreign companies. They also explore the types of services that the Italian Trade Agency provides to Italian and foreign businesses that enable them to to connect with each other.
When you think of Bluetooth you might think about your phone, your car or that sleek pair of headphones and speaker you have. In this episode, Chris Mahar, Associate Editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Chuck Sabin, Senior Director, Business Strategy and Planning at Bluetooth SIG. Sabin explains how Bluetooth is used in the manufacturing and industrial sector; what Bluetooth mesh means for manufacturers; and what they found in their 2018 Bluetooth Market Update report. You’ll learn that Bluetooth isn’t just for consumers and how the technology is empowering manufacturing today and in the future.
Would you be surprised to learn that manufacturing workers are particularly vulnerable to personal financial problems? You’ll learn about that and more in this podcast, in which Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Mike Domingos, Vice President, National Corporate Strategy and Distribution for Prudential Financial. Domingos explains why Prudential is concentrating on the manufacturing industry; key trends impacting manufacturers; and the correlation between these trends with the work Prudential is doing with its manufacturing clients. Domingos asserts that while there are some distressing statistics on personal finances for many Americans, particularly around the issues of budgeting and emergency savings, companies can help their employees navigate these rough financial waters through proper design and investing in a Financial Wellness program.
Kevin Kerrigan, senior VP in the automotive office at the Michigan Economic Development Corp., discusses how MEDC is helping Industry 4.0 gain traction in Michigan. He gets into how Michigan supports Automation Alley, which works to demystify new technology for smaller manufacturers, as well as LIFT and IACMI. The crux of the smart factory is being able to make, better, faster decisions, he notes as he describes the value the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings to Michigan factories. Adoption is “ultimately a matter of who wins,” he adds. “And I think Michigan is in a very good place right now to do that.”
SME CEO and Executive Director Sandi Bouckley on day one of IMTS. Among the topics: the future of manufacturing is increasingly digital; workforce development and training as a cultural imperative; and attracting and training the next generation in manufacturing.
Dean Phillips, founder and owner of Longevity Industries, an International Director for SME, and a Production Enhancement Engineer at LINK Systems, dives into how artificial intelligence (AI) and computer programs like Watson will help manufacturers achieve five-year goals. Watson, he notes, is helping manufacturers avoid the “garbage in, garbage out” phenomena that happens when people ask the wrong questions. He also describes standout opportunities for AI program applications. “We’re trying to close the loop” with Big Data—without involving people all the time, he says. Less than 40 percent of U.S. manufactures in the U.S. have closed the loop, he said. And he weighs in on the workforce skills gap, the IIoT, system integration and predictive maintenance.
Inside today’s machine shops, having 5-axis capability is no longer a luxury; it’s a must-have. To price parts competitively, and to make a good profit, shops need to have the efficiencies 5-axis provides. Many shops are planning to make this move, so Advanced Manufacturing Now engaged Errol Burrell and Wade Anderson, product specialists at Okuma America, to discuss exactly how to make the transition from 3-axis to 5-axis machining in a painless way. In a highly entertaining exchange—it even includes a dance metaphor—they look at how 5-axis machining has evolved from a machine tool user’s perspective and describe the pulse of the marketplace today. They go into detail on what kind of ROI shops can expect. And they review some of the reasons shops are moving up to 5-axis.
Eyeing what he says will soon become the world’s largest workforce, "Motoring Africa" author Edward Hightower details how manufacturers can more profitably serve the growing African market by producing in six countries: South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.
Manufacturers are living more on the edge these days—as in “edge computing” and “intelligence at the edge.” In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Diego Tamburini, Principal Industry Lead – Manufacturing Industry Experiences for the Cloud + Enterprise Division of Microsoft, about the definitions of edge computing and intelligence at the edge, why manufacturers need intelligence at the edge, the technologies involved, and the connection between these concepts and “smart manufacturing.”
Manufacturers around the world are struggling to combat $50 billion of unplanned downtime per year. And so 5ME wants to give them the data “at their fingertips” needed for continuous improvement programs. The software 5ME is promoting for this is called Freedom. 5ME Executive Vice President Jeff Price gives a scenario of how a company can use Freedom, which he said is appropriate for anyone—“from the shop floor to the top floor.” And he explains how companies can use the software with new or legacy equipment. Some customers are increasing their OEE by 20%. And along with that, some are taking days of finished goods out—saving millions of dollars.
There are many aspects of smart manufacturing that are evolving quickly, and simulation is one of them. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Christopher Parker, NCSIMUL Applications Engineer for SPRING Technologies, about the role of machine simulation and the role it plays in manufacturing, the industries where simulation is vital, and what the future of simulation looks like.
On the rare occasion that Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer thinks about the intersection of insurance and manufacturing, it is usually in terms of fire, theft, personal injury and the like. However, in this conversation with Mike Domingos, VP of national corporate strategy and distribution at Prudential Financial, he learns of other challenges impacting people’s financial wellness and how that impacts the manufacturing industry. Domingos explains what tools and programs are available to help people and organizations with these challenges. He also reveals what developments are in the pipeline to support financial wellness for both individuals and manufacturers.
Additive manufacturing has made tremendous strides in recent years and has advantages over traditional manufacturing processes in many applications. However, AM still faces significant barriers. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Matt Wise, CEO of Fisher Unitech about AM’s current and future role in manufacturing, including innovative new applications.
Smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and the Industrial Internet of Things are all fast-evolving concepts that are changing how manufacturing processes are designed and implemented. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Ben Mund, Senior Market Analyst for CNC Software Inc., the developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM Software, about how companies are addressing these changes, including how parts are designed, programmed and manufactured. The discussion includes changes to toolpath development, evolution in manufacturing methods, and how manufacturers are dealing with growing “skills gap” in the manufacturing workforce.
Pete Rogers, a vice president of Acieta, discusses an impending "welding labor crisis" of a shortage of skilled welders. He talks about automated welding systems can take the load of repetitive welding tasks.
Duann Scott of Autodesk discusses developments in software for additive manufacturing. He talks about simulation and design for 3D printing with Bill Koenig, a senior editor of Manufacturing Engineering. This podcast was recorded at the RAPID + TCT in Fort Worth, TX, in April.
Sean Touhey, a junior in the manufacturing engineering program at Western Washington University, describes the innovation that led to his 5-person team winning the “design for digital manufacturing” competition for university students at RAPID + TCT. His team focused on eliminating leftover residue (sticky stuff on the dashboard), visual obstruction and airflow obstruction for cell phone mounts. Listen to find out what's next for Vent Buddy and the design team.
At the RAPID + TCT conference in Texas, Brian McLean, director of rapid prototype at Laika Entertainment, explains what led to his being awarded a Scientific and Engineering Oscar Plaque in 2016 for pioneering the use of 3D printers in stop-motion animated characters. He goes into the ways AM can be a competitive advantage, including precision, color accuracy, volume and repeatability. And he compares what he does with puppets to what manufacturers are doing in the medical field.
Dr. Mike Grieves, executive director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design at Florida Institute of Technology, explains ITEAM (Independent Technical Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing), which was recently introduced at RAPID + TCT. ITEAM is, he said, “a user-driven consortium to help advance AM faster than what is happening right now.” The focus is on creating an information ecosystem that lets users answer “two core questions they always have to answer when they are looking at new technologies:” Can I build it with AM? (Is it technically possible?) And should I build it with AM. (Is it economically feasible?). GM, Infosys and SME are already involved.
At RAPID + TCT, Bruno Boutantin of Extrude Hone and Laurent Cataldo of Binc Industries speak about their firms’ new joint offering: Finish 3D, for AM. It is, Cataldo said, “a full solution for the global market, for medium- and high-volume production series.” It combines Binc’s MMP (micro machining process) technology—a physical, mechanical and catalyst process “usually used to very low roughness levels”—with Extrude Hone technology for additive parts when they require finishing processes like AFM (abrasive flow machine) and CoolPulse. Finish 3D can be used in any market, he said: In addition to aerospace, “we do medical implants, and we can be used for tooling, for plastic injection mold, whatever, as soon as the volume can absorb the cost of the preparation and the fixture.” Boutantin said the new offering lets customers for the first time “take any incoming roughness and … bring it below the micron.” Getting to the sub-micron level is important in aerospace, for example, when manufacturers need to improve airflow in jet engine turbines, he added.
At the RAPID + TCT show in Texas, Chris Schuppe, GM of AddWorks at GE Additive, explains a new offering called AddWorks. He gets into how it came about, what it is, why it is needed, and what types of services GE is offering with it. Listeners who are already in AM can still benefit from AddWorks, said Schuppe, who details what automotive and medical customers have accomplished with AddWorks. "We've had challenges where we couldn't figure out the next steps in our (AM) journey," he said. "We lived that over the last 7-10 years. Now we are taking that as an external consulting service."
Roger Hart, research and development engineering manager of Siemens, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig about additive manufacturing at the RAPID + TCT Show in Fort Worth, TX. They discuss how Siemens is changing its strategy to use 3D printing. The company is moving to transition from rapid prototyping to "true manufacturing," according to the executive. Hart also talks about Industry 4.0 and other advanced manufacturing issues.
Bhuvi Nirudhoddi, an Ohio State University PhD candidate studying materials science and engineering, won the student poster challenge at SME’s AeroDef manufacturing conference in California in March. She gives Advanced Manufacturing Now the 411 on her work—"Joining of aerospace alloys using high-speed impact welding"—and explains how she came up with the concept, as well as where she thinks it can make the biggest impact?
Chris Cagle of the South Bay Workforce Investment Board in Hawthorne, Calif., explains what his organization does, how the apprenticeship program works, and why such programs are so important. He enumerates employee and student benefits. And he speaks about his organization’s work with SME to develop and register the first aerospace engineering apprenticeship occupation in the U.S.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune interviews Daniel Martinez, a member of the aerospace vertical market team at Siemens Industry USA, at the AeroDef show in California. Martinez talks about how Siemens adapted its CNC strategy to recent changes in the machining of aerospace/defense parts, as well as to additive manufacturing in aerospace. He also addresses the recent partnership between Siemens and Comau, and Italian robotics company.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune speaks with Suhner's Lee Coleman about high-volume machining and how the growth of composites in the market has impacted the Suhner tool strategy. (The company has worked in single-layer materials, such as SMC, CRFP, fiberglass and plastic, for years, but it has had to redesign & develop components/spindles to work in the STACK/complex materials market.) Among the challenges: Abrasive dust, a corrosive environment and, in aerospace, very dissimilar stacks. The Swiss company developed the STACKmaster in part to provide commercial aviation with small, lightweight and powerful units to drill these new complex stack materials. Coleman showed the new product at AeroDef in Long Beach, Calif., in March.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune asks EMAG USA CEO Peter Loetzner about new drivers in his company’s A&D business model. The two discuss the trend toward more cell manufacturing. Loetzner talks about lessons he learned in his automotive career that have application in A&D—and explains why blisk manufacturing and power generation are EMAG’S sweet spots in A&D. He also details how Industry 4.0 is benefitting smaller manufacturers. And he provides insight about supply chain issues EMAG is taking on.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune speaks with Jon Jay of Ingersoll Rand Power Tools on how aerospace manufacturers can use digital data to understand and address quality risks in assembly processes. The pair discusses how the Ingersoll Rand QXN tools help aerospace manufacturers improve the quality of their output, make assembly operations more efficient and reliable—and save money. Jay also provides a before-and-after scenario about an aerospace manufacturer that replaced a traditional pen & paper approach to gathering data with a digital approach.
Amanda Pedersen, News Editor of MD+DI (Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry) and Qmed, discusses the trends and technology in the medical industry, such as artificial intelligence, surgical robots and virtual reality, and the opportunities and challenges associated with them. She also talks about UBM's presence at three co-located events in Boston on April 18-19: the Embedded Systems Conference, BIOMEDevice Boston and Design & Manufacturing New England.
Suzanne Deffree, a brand director at UBM and its Advanced Manufacturing Group, discusses the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence and their impact on engineering and manufacturing jobs. She also talks about UBM's presence at three co-located events in Boston on April 18-19: the Embedded Systems Conference, BIOMEDevice Boston and Design & Manufacturing New England.
Diego Tamburini, principal industry lead for Azure Manufacturing, talks with Patrick Waurzyniak, senior editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about the cloud and why manufacturing companies need to embrace it. In the cloud manufacturers can host their IT environments, run applications from CAD/CAE/PLM/ERP/MES, etc., develop their own applications, and much more. Tamburini and Waurzyniak also discuss IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and how they are different, security concerns, and how Microsoft fits into the world of the cloud.
Hod Lipson, co-author with Melba Kurman of the book "Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead," asserts that AV technology is going to change things for everyone, in all business and sectors. "It’s a tsunami heading our way." And, says the Columbia University professor of engineering and data science, "deep learning" software is so good at understanding and perception that it far surpasses humans. "It can see in the dark, in the rain. It can see not with two eyes but with 20 eyes. It is part of the reason robots will be able to handle a larger variety of tasks because they won’t need to confine themselves to just one type of component. They’ll be able to package different objects with different shapes and sizes without being programmed in advance.
Adam and Pam Genei talk to SME's Chris Mahar at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. They own Mobsteel, a design/build company that manufactures automotive aftermarket products and builds custom cars, and Detroit Steel Wheel Co., the manufacturer of the original Smoothie Wheel. They realized their biggest challenge was making a product domestically.
In the highly competitive arena of the global auto industry there is little time to sit on one’s laurels. To that end Jeep has substantially revamped its Cherokee for the 2019 model year. Mike Downey, Cherokee vehicle line executive, joined Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer at the North American International Auto Show to explain how lightweighting served as an important tool in making sure that the Cherokee remains competitive.
The Brose Group is growing in the US. In fact, the operations of Brose North America, the US arm of the global auto supplier, are growing at a rapid pace. Brose North America President Michael Brosseau sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to talk about the company’s growth and the urgent need it has for workers to help keep the expansion on track.
Licensed aftermarket auto parts can be a source of profits for their non-OEM manufacturers and a source of brand building for automakers as well as a path to additional profits. John Clor of Ford Performance explains to Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer how the process works, where the opportunity lies for small manufacturers who want to get into the game, and why precision manufacturing is crucial.
Vehicle electrification and autonomy are challenges facing automakers today and well into the future. But it’s not only the OEMs that need to clear the hurdles that are changing the industry. The vendors who populate the supply chain must do so, too. Larry Bemis, vice president of Customer Success and Quality Assurance of Siemens PLM Software’s manufacturing business unit, explains to Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer how high these hurdles can be and what software can do to make it over the bar.
At the North American International Auto Show, P3 North America CEO Samit Ghosh and Smart Manufacturing Editor in Chief Brett Brune discuss the common pitfalls manufacturers encounter when they introduce smart and connected tech.
At the auto show in Detroit, Magneti Marelli USA's Bill Grabowski tells Smart Manufacturing mag about his firm's "Smart Corner" product, specifically about how it helps OEMs in terms of cost, weight and complexity.
At the auto show in Detroit, Rose Ryntz of Intl Automotive Components (IAC) Group, covers emerging trends, including electrification, autonomy and ride sharing, changing vehicle interiors. She also predicts how future vehicle interiors will look, feel and sound.
Auto dealer Ryan LaFontaine, chairman of the North American International Auto Show, reveals what AutoMobili-D is all about. He spoke with Brett Brune, editor in chief of Smart Manufacturing magazine.
One of the highly anticipated new vehicle introductions at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was that of the 2019 Ram 1500. Not only is this half-ton pickup significantly improved over its predecessor in terms of capabilities and technologies, but it will be built in a factory that previously had been dedicated to assembling sedans. Rob Wichman, vehicle line executive for Ram Truck, and Mike Raymond, chief engineer for the Ram 1500, sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer to outline what it took to arrive at the new pickup and the essentially new factory.
Half a dozen years ago American Makes was launched as the first institute of Manufacturing USA, the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, a national network for manufacturing innovation focused on coordinating public and private investment in emerging advanced manufacturing technologies. The charge for America Makes: Accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing technology in the US in order to increase domestic manufacturing competitiveness. The institute’s executive director, Rob Gorham, sat down with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus James D. Sawyer at the recent North American International Auto Show to discuss the progress that’s been made.
Samantha Farr, founder of and instructor for Women Who Weld, met with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to discuss how welding is one of the areas most afflicted by the skills gap and how her program can meet that need while bringing more diversity and equality to manufacturing.
While Dassault Systemes is best known in the manufacturing industry for its CATIA software, the company’s interests are in fact much broader. Indeed, they span not just the globe but reach into outer space as well. Steve Madge, Dassault vice president for Industry & Global Affairs in High Tech, Future Transportation & Smart Cities, spoke with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer about how part of his job is to seek out mega trends so his company can boldly go where no other enterprise has gone before.
Diana Mannino, president of HBPO North America talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American in Detroit. She discusses the company's product line, including front end modules for vehicles. HBPO also is expanding its production in North America, including two new plants in Mexico scheduled to open this year.
Dennis Berry, president of the Americas region of Chassis Brakes International, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Berry discusses how the company is adding production in North America in Mexico. He also talks about how brake systems are evolving to be electric and getting rid of hydraulic systems.
Robert Evans, president of Freudenberg North America, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Evans describes Freudenberg's automotive-related businesses, including sealing technologies, vibration control systems and filtration. The executive also talks about general industry trends, including electrification of vehicles.
Dennis Hoeg, North American COO for Nexteer Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Hoeg discusses the company's Digital Trace Manufacturing system, which was introduced at the auto show.
Jeff Zuraski, executive director of research and development for Nexteer Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show. He discusses technology for autonomous driving vehicles. Nexteer used the auto show to introduce steering technologies for autonomous driving.
Jody Hall, vice president-automotive market for the Steel Market Development Institute, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. She discusses how high strength steel is being used to make vehicles lighter. High strength steel was used by General Motors Co. and FCA US LLC to make new versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 pickups lighter.
Jonathan Smoke, chief economist of Cox Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig about what's happening in the auto industry going into 2018. Smoke describes an industry that is still running strong but faces more "headwinds" than in the past few years. The interview took place at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
CEO David Johnson of Achates Power talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show. The executive discusses the company's opposed-piston engine that was on display at the show in January. Johnson describes how the engine can achieve fuel efficiency. The engine has been in development for about two years.
Paul Aiello of robot maker FANUC talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Aiello talks about the company's efforts to interest students in manufacturing careers. FANUC had a collaborative robot at the auto show as part of those efforts. The auto industry is a major customer for FANUC.
Kevin Tynan, senior automotive analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig about auto industry trends during an interview at the North American International Auto show in Detroit. Tynan talks about why trucks are king. He also notes how the Detroit auto show has been affected by CES in Las Vegas, which is also held in January. Automakers now use CES to highlight future technology and the auto show highlights the "here and now," Tynan says.
Smart manufacturing is getting a lot of coverage in the media, and with good reason. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief, talks with Frank Arteaga, Head of Product Marketing, Market Region NAFTA, for Bystronic about the definitions of smart manufacturing; how it can help OEMs and fabricators alike with profitability; how analyzing data can help with visualizing the fabricating process; and the best ways to make sense of all of the data pouring in on the manufacturing process.
Natalie Lowell, member and industry relations manager at SME, details all that the nonprofit is doing to help address the skills gap in the U.S. She details a formal level of membership at the high school level with value streams of SME resources to augment the success of the student, as well as educators' resources. Access to the SME Connect community is one of the resources available to encourage students to discover and explore a future in science, technology, engineering and manufacturing-related careers.
Robotic solutions are gaining in prominence and importance. In this podcast, Senior Editor Jim Lorincz talks with Simon Whitton, regional division manager, Kuka Robotics Corp., about how Kuka Ready-to-Use preconfigured robotic product solutions can integrated into existing shop operations, ensuring that sustainable and high-performance levels of manufacturing efficiency can be achieved.
The manufacturing of solid-carbide and PCD rotary tooling has improved markedly, and high-tech grinders have played an important role in this evolution. Circular and band saws have followed a similar evolution. In this this podcast, Editor in Chief Alan Rooks talks with Shannon Fox, North American sales manager for Vollmer of America Corp., a builder of tool grinding machines, and Dr. Roland Loroch, managing director of Loroch GmbH, a business unit of Vollmer that is focused on re-sharpening and measuring circular and band saws. The discussion focuses on how rotary tool grinding machines are creating more complex, tighter-tolerance tools, and new demands on circular and band saw blades.
Applications for robotic welding systems continue to grow, and those systems are becoming more sophisticated and agile. In this podcast, Editor In Chief Alan Rooks talks with Erwin DiMalanta, director-welding and cutting business line for ABB Robotics (Auburn Hills, MI) about emerging trends in robotic welding, lightweighting in the automotive and aerospace sectors and other issues. He also explores ABB’s new Robotic Inspection System, which was developed through a collaboration between ABB and NUB3D, which develops digital, 3D inspection and quality-control solutions. The 3D white-light scanning sensor can access most areas of both simple and complex parts
A more diverse workforce that includes more women can help manufacturers fill the growing skills gap. In this podcast, Sandra Bouckley, president of SME, talks with Senior Editor Jim Lorincz about the need for increased diversity in the workforce and how it can increase productivity and creativity while producing new solutions to manufacturing issues. She also examines why women make up just 29% of the manufacturing workforce in the US and strategies for increasing that percentage.
Markforged has played a role in advancing the art and science of additive manufacturing. They have helped companies make great strides in getting the best results out of their 3D printing operations. Now, the company is helping manufacturers that are not involved in 3D printing to identify the opportunities where 3D printing could be used to make stronger products, manufacture them at less cost, and ship those products faster. In this sponsored podcast, Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer interviews Applications Engineer Nick Sondej to learn how Markforged makes this happen.
Manufacturing operations are looking for the fastest, most reliable equipment to deliver components machined quickly and with the highest accuracy possible. At SOUTH-TEC, we discussed the advantages of the Swiss-style machine tool equipment offered by Tsugami/Rem Sales (Windsor, CT). Bob Budnovitch, engineering manager, training/turnkey, and Frank Maiocco of Tsugami/Rem Sales, spoke with Senior Editor Patrick Waurzyniak at SOUTH-TEC in Greenville, SC, about the latest machines that Tsugami displayed at the show and what customers can expect from the company’s advanced machining equipment.
At the SOUTH-TEC show in Greenville, SC, we’re joined by Greg Cooke, applications engineer for Promess Inc., in Brighton, MI, who talks about how manufacturers are looking for flexible assembly solutions in a variety of manufacturing industries. Promess, a manufacturer of turnkey monitoring and motion systems used in a wide variety of Assembly and Test applications around the world, began expanding into the southern US manufacturing region about 10 years ago, as the downturn in the economy began. Cooke, who’s based in Huntsville, AL, spoke with Senior Editor Patrick Waurzyniak about some of the ways Promess diversified to prosper in the recession and into the present with flexible assembly solutions.
In an interview in Shanghai, Eric Green, VP, user experience & marketing for the DELMIA product brand at Dassault Systèmes, weighs in on what “super fab labs” in Beijing and Moscow might well produce. He also describes how Dassault’s 3D Experience Lab works. He identifies the three most important smart manufacturing trends to watch in China, in his opinion. He says Huawei has one of Dassault's most compelling smart manufacturing client stories to tell so far in China (and references a Smart Manufacturing magazine story, available at tinyurl.com/HuaweiCloud, about that firm). And he describes what changes will be needed because of the speedy adoption of robots in China.
Nick Sondej, application engineer of Markforged, talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about the company’s carbon fiber and metal 3D printing for strength, performance, and accuracy. Learn about how businesses in a variety of different industries, such as aerospace, robotics, and consumer electronics, are using Markforged technology to innovate faster at a lower cost. Markforged is based in Cambridge, MA, and its team of engineers, designers and industry veterans live the company’s mission of focusing on engineering, design, quality of parts, and software innovation.
In a wide-ranging interview at at Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience Forum North America in South Florida, Subham Sett, director of strategic initiatives for AM and materials at the French software giant, outlines its approach to AM, the biggest challenges his customers face in the production process, certification needs by the FDA and FAA, and "the infinite capacity you have to engineer a material to fit a purpose." He also outlines what Dassault Systèmes will gain from its planned purchase of Massachusetts-based Exa, for about $400 million: “If you look at the CFD (computational fluid dynamics) technology and what’s around us, there are a lot of fluid applications…, and Exa, being the world leader for lattice Boltzmann techniques for CFD, brings in a key piece of technology, which adds onto another acquisition we made last year—a [division of the Spanish firm Next Limit that produced the XFlo CFD software]. Between them, we have some of the best technologies that will help us drive our CFD offers. As well as, it starts addressing a marketspace that quite honestly is still evolving with all the work that is happening in aerospace and automotive and oil and gas.”
“MAKE IT IN LA” is helping develop and advance the large and growing manufacturing community in Southern California. Likewise, an innovative podcast, “The Art of Manufacturing,” is telling the powerful personal stories of innovators involved in new manufacturing companies, processes and technologies. In this podcast, Krisztina ‘Z’ Holly, host of The Art of Manufacturing podcast and Founder & Chief Instigator of MAKE IT IN LA, talks with Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about how those projects came to be, the challenges and opportunities in manufacturing today, and key messages for people who are interested in getting involved in manufacturing.
At EMO, 3D Systems launched the latest version of its GibbsCAM software. The new release, GibbsCAM12, includes the first new interface for the software in many years. In this podcast, Chris MacBain, product marketing manager for 3D Systems, talks with Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about GibbsCAM and its role in the manufacturing industry; why the updated interface was needed; how it changes the way machinists work with the software, and new developments MacBain expects to see in CAM software in the coming years.
Metrology plays a key role in manufacturing, but that role is changing. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, editor in chief for Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with David Wick, manager of product management for Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, about key trends in metrology in terms of software, sensors, and networking; customer challenges and how metrology tools help meet those challenges; and how the personal computer industry offers a good analogy to the changing market for metrology products.
Bjorn Schwarzenbach, communications and project coordinator at Rollomatic, talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about how Rollomatic is addressing the public perception of the manufacturing industry and how Manufacturing Day, a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers, plays an important role to educate communities across the country about manufacturing career opportunities.
Brian Ayers, vice president of sales and marketing at Arch Global Precision, talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about the company’s entrepreneurial values and philosophy about manufacturing in the US. Arch Global Precision, a consolidated precision machining services company, combines the expertise of American manufacturers and expanding technologies to serve the medical, aerospace and defense, and industrial markets.
SME has an 85+ year history of supporting US manufacturing. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Jeff Krause, Chief Executive Officer of SME, about the role of SME, how that role is evolving, the growth of smart manufacturing, new education venues, and the importance of workforce development.
Cajo Technologies President Ismo Rantala talks with Candace Roulo, managing editor of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, about the company’s patented technology, which is based on an innovative application of the traditional laser beam, allowing for precise and permanent marking or color patterning on almost any material without additives or pigments. The company is headquartered in Kempele, in Northern Finland, and has grown internationally with subsidiary and several offices in the United States.
Verisurf Software CEO Ernie Husted explains why there are still many legacy fixed CMMs in the market that are perceived to be obsolete due to outdated software, difficult programming interfaces and lack of trained operators--and how his metrology software firm is working to address this market truth. For example, Verisurf 2018 allows users to program, operate and collect measurement data directly from legacy CMMs, without any upgrades to controllers or software. The software offers as an instant improvement "quick, easy-to-learn, first-article inspection of your parts," he said. "We make it so it's not a bottleneck anymore." And, he added, CMMs are about 10 times more accurate than ARMs, which were adopted in recent years as CMM software grew out of date.
More manufacturers are using electronic work instructions, such as VKS, to improve productivity and streamline their operations. In this podcast, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Shannon Bennett, Implementation & Sales Engineer at Visual Knowledge Share Ltd., about the need for electronic work instructions in manufacturing, the development of VKS, the types of manufacturers that use it and the benefits those manufacturers see in their operations. To learn more about VKS, visit https://tinyurl.com/vks-podcast
So, you've inherited older and/or disjointed systems and processes (and perhaps an unhelpful company culture) but you want to gain a competitive edge. What to do? Look at how systems can be integrated with a centralized tooling database, not at each individual process as a separate entity, Dan Speidel of TDM Systems says. Make sure you digitally tie and integrate the tool crib with CAM systems and machine controller. Getting control over inventory and tools in the shop is doable, he said, giving as an example Wagstaff . "This is the industrial revolution we have all been waiting for," he said, welcoming the "digital food chain" and the move to SaaS in manufacturing.
Drawing upon his firm's work with NEC, Schlindler Elevator, Exelon and Pitney Bowes, Sergey Patsko of GE Digital advises manufacturing execs looking for value to focus on compute power and ways to process and analyze data. He also suggests a couple of ways manufacturers can begin trying out the "digital transformation" approach. One approach is theoretical. Another is to start with proofs of concept on low-hanging fruit. And he goes over the major risks of the data science approach. Listen to find out the one piece of advice Patsko would give the CEO of any manufacturing firm working on digitization.
Sharing findings from a survey of 300 automotive industry manufacturers, Jeannine Kunz, VP of Tooling U-SME, says the introduction of new technology is seen as the main contributor to the skills gap in manufacturing. "Essentially, technology is outpacing our people." Yes, the pipeline is still an issue. Yes, baby boomers leaving the market is still an issue. But the swift current of new technology is negatively impacting productivity, innovation, quality and safety. Tooling U-SME works to help companies tackle all of the problems. "All too often, we see manufacturers not necessarily tying human capital strategy to their manufacturing strategy or their business strategy." Human capital can be a competitive advantage. "All of us can buy the same equipment. And all of us can buy the same technologies. What we really can't duplicate are the human beings. Each of us is very different. So it's the 'secret weapon' of the people behind the operation that truly can create a competitive advantage," Kunz says.
Pratt & Whitney's Kimberley Hagerty, whose "year of living digitally" was featured in the May issue of Smart Manufacturing magazine, quickly reviews lessons she and her team learned, outlines three main challenges they faced and how she solved them, and describes some of the organizational changes she sees Industry 4.0 demanding of manufacturers.
Rego-Fix Corp., a manufacturer of precision tooling, has been on a deliberate, long-term growth and expansion program. Starting a few years ago in the company’s home base of Switzerland, this year the program came to fruition in the US Vice President Sales and Marketing Bill Obras sat down with Manufacturing Engineering’s James D. Sawyer at Eastec to discuss the program and provide details on the company’s new 20,000 ft2 facility near Indianapolis.
Manufacturing Engineering’s James D. Sawyer interviews Chris Pollack, East Coast regional business manager for motion control , Siemens Industry, about the growing skills gap in US manufacturing and the challenges and opportunities inherent in training new users to operate the controls of machine tools.
As the technology has matured, the manufacturing world has seen an explosion in the number of metal parts, components and products manufactured additively. Yet despite this improvement the cost of metal 3D printing has not really become more affordable. In this sponsored podcast, Markforged Applications Engineer Peter Kootstra explains to SME’s Jim Sawyer how his company has developed a process that can cut the cost of metal 3D printing by as much as 80% compared to standard methods. Not only does this make metal 3D printing more affordable, but it opens the additive manufacturing door to more applications—and more manufacturers.
As water jet technology has improved so, too, has the precision of these abrasive cutting machines. Along the way the applications for water jet cutting has expanded as well. At Eastec, Michael Ruppenthal, Omax vice president for North American sales, sat down with Manufacturing Engineering’s James D. Sawyer to detail how the MicroMax, an ultra-precise fully enclosed water jet, has carved out a place for itself in the electronics industry, where it is used to make molds, circuit boards and other components.
Hermle Machine Co., a manufacturer of high-end machine tools, annually employs 100 to 120 apprentices in its German operations. The apprentices make up about 13% of that workforce. Manuel Merkt, executive vice president of operations at Hermle’s US operations (Franklin, WI), is working with the German American Chamber of Commerce to establish a similar program in Wisconsin which would provide graduates with the same skills and certifications that the program in Germany offers. Merkt, himself a product of the apprenticeship program, explains to Manufacturing Engineering’s James D. Sawyer how the effort is proceeding.
Charlie Slagle, president and CEO of Hoffmann Group USA, talks with Editor in Chief Alan Rooks about the history of The Hoffmann Group as a tooling manufacturer and distributor in Europe, and its 2016 entry into the US market. The company markets its Garant and Holex brand portfolios and distributes a wide variety of products from other tooling manufacturers.
In an interview with Jim Sawyer of Manufacturing Engineering, Jan Andersson, global director of Greenleaf Corp.’s Tech Team and marketing explores the four pillars of metalcutting are and why it is crucial to pay attention to each of them to achieve the best results.
Additive manufacturing has come a long way from being a prototyping technology. In many instances, it is now a viable method of production. Not every manufacturer, however, has the expertise and resources to put 3D manufacturing into practice. In this sponsored podcast, Manufacturing Engineering’s Jim Sawyer interviews Shane Fox, founder and CEO of Link3D, to learn how the company’s proprietary technology provides engineers with a secure, fully automated request-for-quote process to identify vetted additive manufacturing partners from around the world.
A manufacturing concern can get the greatest return on its investment by optimizing its overall equipment effectiveness, or OEE. In this sponsored podcast, Memex CEO David McPhail details the relationship between OEE and the Industrial Internet of Things. Data, he explains, is what drives this relationship. Data-driven manufacturing consists of keeping track of everything that happens on the shop floor, and software, including Memex’s Merlin Tempus solution, helps monitor and manage that data.
Ken Baeszler, a market segment manager and product manager at GF Machining Solutions, sat down at SME’s Eastec show with Manufacturing Engineering's Jim Sawyer to discuss GFMS’s new offerings of machine tools. Baeszler begins by describing the new Mill P 900, a high-precision machine tool for the mold and die industry.
SME this year gave the Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award to the authors of “Liquid Metal 3D Printing: A Magnetohydrodynamic Approach." One of the authors, Swati Chandran Thirumangalath, explains what the paper says about the work she did as a design and simulation engineer at Vader Systems in Buffalo, NY.
SME’s Additive Manufacturing Community this year gave Dieter Schwarze, PhD, of SLM Solutions GmbH the 2017 Industry Achievement Award. The award recognizes of his significant and continued impact on additive manufacturing through development of processes and technology applied in industry. In 1989, Schwarze began his R&D work on additive manufacturing and its commercialization. He is one of the primary inventors of selective laser melting. Schwarze holds several patents and previously studied physics at the University of Paderborn. He sat down with Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune at RAPID + TCT to review the technology's progress and give his opinion about what is to come. "Today we are only in markets that use metal. But that does not mean it should stay like this in the future."
Brian Bittner, national sales manager of Beamer Laser Systems, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the Eastec Show, held in May in West Springfield, MA. Bittner describes the company's operations.
Jill Young of Exsys (San Antonio, FL) describes the company’s products and markets in an interview with Bill Koenig, senior editor at Advanced Manufacturing Media. They spoke at SME’s Eastec Show in May.
Rod Leek of Vektek LLC talks about his company’s line of clamps and workholding products with Senior Editor Bill Koenig. They talked at the Eastec show in West Springfield, MA, held in May.
Dyan Finkhousen, director of open innovation & advanced manufacturing at GE Global Operations, discusses Fuse LLC, an 8-month-old service offering of GeniusLink that involves small batch mfg. Key takeaways: The benefits GE businesses, customers and sponsors find by using Fuse to solve tough technology challenges; the types of problems that are a good fit for Fuse; and how to learn about and participate in a product or technology innovation contest sponsored by Fuse. (GeniusLink is GE Global Operations' crowd-sourcing division.)
Matt Sand, president of 3DEO, and Matt Petros, the company's CEO, discuss 3DEO's additive manufacturing technology and the markets it serves. 3DEO produces low-cost metal parts for customers. 3DEO says its process is "fundamentally different than anything else in additive manufacturing." "We started the company with the idea there has to be a better way to make metal parts with additive manufacturing," Matt Sand says. To learn more about 3DEO listen to the podcast or check out the company's website at http://www.3deo.co/
Gene Granata, Vericut product manager at CGTech, describes Vericut's new additive module. Set to be available publicly at the end of September, it can be used in a hybrid simulation along with subtractive technologies. With this and other technology, CGTech works with customers and tech partners to solve AM challenges, such as accurate laser cladding and material deposition, detecting collisions between the machine and additive part, and finding errors, voids and misplaced material. Mr. Granata explains how people who already own Vericut can acquire the additive capability. "This is a turning point" for additive, where "a lot of people are coming into the fold," he says.
At RAPID + TCT in Pittsburgh, Roger Kelesoglu, director of sales enablement at Stratasys, previews the company's new Continuous-Build 3D Demonstrator. (It's not yet clear when it will be commercially available.) It allows for continuous production of plastic parts--with a cloud-enabled software management control system that enables automation on the front end all the way through the manufacturing process. Last year, the company's big announcement at the show was about size: the Infinite-Build 3D Demonstrator. The Continuous-Build 3D Demonstrator eases tooling and setup costs and lead times, allowing for lower-volume production of parts. This makes mass customization possible. TheContinuous-Build 3D Demonstrator also enables automation on the hardware side. He also discusses the ways the firm's Robotic Composite 3D Printer breaks some boundaries.
Duann Scott, head of business development and strategy for digital manufacturing at Autodesk, details the solutions his firm offers. He also weighs in on which manufacturing industry segments he believes will use AM the most heavily. Mr. Scott outlines the most compelling recent advances in the technology, and he addresses the barriers to more widespread industrial adoption.
Benjamin Fisk, general manager of 3D additive manufacturing for Methods Machine Tools Inc., discusses his company's 3D printing strategy. Fisk talks about the speed in which 3D printing is being adapted among manufacturers as well as his company's partnership with 3D Systems. He was interviewed by Senior Editor Bill Koenig during the RAPID + TCT show in Pittsburgh in May.
Tom O’Reilly, VP, Global Business Development at Rockwell Automation, details how his company's five-year plan to restructure its facility and supplier networks has led to a four- to five-percent annual improvement in productivity: "If you look at how we did/do it, here are some examples: inventory days dropped from 120 to 82. We reduced our CAPEX ... by 30 percent per year. Our delivery within our supply chain went from 80 percent to 96 percent. Our lead times were actually reduced by 50 percent. And then, for customer service, our delivery-to-customer want date went from 82 percent to 98 percent. And with regard to quality, we reduced our PPM by 50 percent."
SLM Solutions Software out of Austria is set to this year begin selling a new package to improve workflow in AM, SLM Solutions' Richard Grylls said At RAPID + TCT in Pittsburgh. "It will help to streamline the entire workflow--from the initial idea from the designer to geting it into the machine in one piece." He also talks about how OEMs can help a customer quality and certify metal parts. Grylls also discusses how selective laser melting is helping to speed up metal AM. And he gives an overview of process monitoring capabilities SLM Solutions is showing at the AM tech show, as well as emerging applications for SLM's machines (serial production of components in aircraft, space and automotive applications, for example). Lastly, he explains why SLM has a monthly user group meeting. Managing things as "a lone wolf" is a bad idea, he warns.
John Graham, senior product marketing manager for Ansys Spaceclaim, Ansys Inc., talks with Manufacturing Engineering Senior Editor Patrick Waurzyniak about how 3D modeling software can help manufacturers streamline designs and boost manufacturing productivity. With today’s 3D modeling software, manufacturers are able to efficiently repair incomplete models, reverse engineer files, and incorporate powerful computer-aided engineering (CAE) software into manufacturers’ toolbox to more efficiently create manufacturing processes.
Jeannine Kunz, vice president of Tooling U-SME, details how awareness of AM's capabilities is clearly on the rise: Some big manufacturers are focusing on what AM means to their human capital, and AM is often being incorporated into existing roles. Kunz also discusses how Tooling U-SME can help customers increase their use of additive technologies while the world waits for standards. Her division at SME leverages the knowledge of SME members to help companies work through challenges, including "make or buy decisions," she notes. And--the pièce de résistance--she previews the "first-and-only additive certification," at a fundamentals level: SME is set to announce it next month at RAPID +TCT (www.rapid3devent.com) in Pittsburgh.
Randolph Bradley, Technical Fellow in Supply Chain Management at Boeing, explains the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution's reason for being, and Boeing’s involvement with the industry-academia partnership. Among what is covered: energy use in the supply chain; demand forecasting using Bayes’ Rule (also used to crack Germany's Enigma code during WWII), and insights gained from MHI’s US Roadmap for Material Handling and Logistics.
Joe Lampinen, Senior Director, Global Practice Consultant for Engineering, Business, & Professional Services at Kelly Services, explores how manufacturers today must meet the challenge of engaging younger workers just entering the profession. These workers have the expectation that they will change employers ten times or more during their careers. Employers must be able to upskill and engage all of their workers and choose the right option from the many available for bringing in outside workers, including temporary workers, independent contractors, outsourcing, and consulting firms.
What's up with AM machines this year? At the Aerodef conference, SLM Solutions' Winthrop Sheldon takes on this and several other market-trend questions. “You’re seeing more multi-laser systems. You’re seeing generally more open systems (in terms of parameter control and material use). And you’re also seeing larger format systems. So there are quite a few new trends that I feel SLM was instrumental in bringing to market. Now the question is can we maintain our position with these technologies—now that more of our competitors have, let’s say, multi-laser systems.”
Dimitrije Milovich, president and CEO of Radius Engineering Inc. (Salt Lake City), discusses the role small manufacturers play in aerospace. His company has fewer than 40 employees but has established a niche in aerospace. Milovich was at SME's AeroDef Manufacturing Show in Fort Worth, TX, where he received the 2017 J.H. "Jud" Hall Composites Manufacturing Award. He spoke with Senior Editor Bill Koenig about how small companies play an important role in aerospace manufacturing. Milovich also discusses advances in composites and what they mean for aerospace.
EnvisionTEC CEO Al Siblani explains why the SLCOM 1, a machine that does selective lamination composite object manufacturing and is in beta testing, is an important development in 3D printing: “There’s absolutely no limitation in terms of geometry in terms of what kinds of composite parts you can build—unless it’s a closed volume. Besides any closed volume, the SLCOM 1 allows you to additively manufacture parts that are 24 inches wide, 30 inches long and 24 inches deep. So what really makes the SLCOM an interesting product is its ability to print very large parts that could be used in some luxury automobiles as finished goods. It could also be used in a production capacity in aerospace companies." In part because of automation, SLCOM 1 promises to reduce to two or three days a manual manufacturing process that now takes about 13 days: making one GE90 engine blade in composites.
Zane Michael, director of thermal business development for Yaskawa America/Motoman Robotics Division, explains why the biggest challenge for welding manufacturers today is the shortage of welders. He notes that fabricators can apply robotic welding technology with a high degree of success by first using simple systems, and explains why human welders still play a major role in robotic welding by analyzing and managing the performance of robotic welding units.
At the Aerodef conference in Texas, Conrad Leiva, VP for product strategy and alliance at iBASEt and chair of the smart manufacturing working group at MESA, says companies should first evaluate their business model today to get ready for a smart manufacturing future. Next, they should look at their IT infrastructure. And don't forget to address digital handoffs between systems. "We're coming from a culture of silos and moving to a culture of collaboration--across our departments internally and into the supply chain."
For starters, NASA's HUNCH program brings projects, mentors, expertise and schools. SME's PRIME initiative brings mentors, equipment and a scholarship component. "It's kind of a big deal that those things mesh so well," says Blake Ratcliff, program manager of NASA HUNCH.
Sandra Rios, Head of Product Management & Marketing, AXOOM GmbH, explores the development of the platform market for the Internet of Things, the company’s vision for the IoT platform market, and its plans in North America.
At the Aerodef show in Texas, Mike Judge, executive vice president of Cincinnati-based 5ME, delivers the lowdown on cryogenic machining. He notes that 5ME can add cryogenic machining to machines in the field. (Installation takes 1-3 days.)
Bob Yancey, vice president of additive manufacturing at Altair Engineering, also discusses the importance of an upfront design process and advances in manufacturing simulation
The co-author of "The Smartest Places on Earth: Why Rustbelts Are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation" discusses not only all he discovered in writing the book but also what he has learned since it was published. Example of the latter: "The movement from a focus on cheap to a focus on smart is ... a real competitive advantage, but it’s not permanent. I discovered that China now very well understands that this is an issue. China is now the biggest buyer of robots in the world."
Steve Immel, head of Americas Business Development for Materialise, explains why a traditional manufacturing company may want to get into additive manufacturing, the main considerations for manufacturers looking to add capabilities in additive manufacturing, and explores the “triangle of materials, hardware and software.”
Dr. Jeffery Ahrstrom, President and COO of BLM Group USA, explores how a tube laser system can help manufacturers replace the physical processes of punching, sawing and milling with lasing in order to reduce work-in-progress, improve upon existing manufacturing processes, and create new ones.
John Thompson, National Technical Sales Manager for PFERD Inc., offers his predictions on the future of metal finishing, examines new solutions that can help improve productivity and reduce risk in hand-held applications, and discusses how systems are changing to adapt to the growing use of composite materials.
Diego Tamburini, Senior Design and Manufacturing Industry Strategist for Autodesk, explores the main forces shaping the future of the fabricating industry; key strategies manufacturers can use to remain competitive; promising technologies Autodesk is currently developing; and the opportunity of the IoT for manufacturers.
Bonnie Martens, Marketing Communications Manager for Dimplex Thermal Solutions, examines key trends in process cooling; how chillers can be designed for energy efficiency; solutions that increase system uptime; and how the Internet of Things is changing how chillers operate.
John Galich, marketing manager for Mate Precision Tooling, discusses trends in the CNC punch press tooling and press brake tooling market; challenges facing the industry; and the evolving mission of Mate Precision Tooling.
John Heuring, Regional Sales Manager for Dallas Industries, explores the challenges fabricators face when their feed line operators process advanced, high-strength steels. He also outlines the special considerations that stampers should consider for feed lines being paired with servo presses.
Frank Arteaga, Head of Product Marketing for Bystronic, explains why Industry 4.0 isn’t just for big companies and why small to medium-sized job shops should learn about and adopt it. He also explains how job shops can implement Industry 4.0 without making major changes to equipment and software.
Mark Scherler, General Manager of Materials Joining for FANUC America, explores how the Internet of Things is changing robotic manufacturing, laser processes that are being used with robotics, and how changes in the manufacturing labor force are affecting the need for robotics.
Craig Tomita, Area Sales Manager for Universal Robots, and David Jackson, President of CleanLogix (an OEM partner of Universal Robots) discuss the use of collaborative robot (cobots) in manufacturing. Cobots can be used without safety guarding on production and assembly lines, and CleanLogix has incorporated a UR cobot in one of its CO2 cleaning applications.
Will Healy, Strategic Marketing Manager, and Dave Bird, Key Account Manager, Metal Forming and Robotic Welding for Balluff Inc., discuss how press shops can dramatically improve uptime, tackle the biggest problems with sensors and networking in robotic welding, and surmount the challenges to implementing Industrial Internet of Things. They also explain how machine builders can increase the value they deliver to manufacturers.
Sandra L. Bouckley, FSME, 2017 President for SME, discusses the current state of the manufacturing workforce, what this means for the future, how companies can help bridge the skills gap and the role of new technology in resolving workforce challenges.
Charlie Miller, director of sales for the Eastern region of the US for the robot and applications group at ABB, examines emerging trends in robotic welding, how the Industrial Internet of Things is driving changes in the sector, and the biggest challenges users need to address--including the shortage of skilled workers.
Detlef Zühlke, Scientific Director for Innovative Factory Systems at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Executive Chairman of SmartFactory-KL in Germany, discusses what it was like to be a founding father of Industrie 4.0, obstacles to smart manufacturing and ways the transition can be made smoother.
Manufacturing Engineering Editor-in-Chief James D. Sawyer talks to Dr. Bruce Cameron, MIT faculty director, about the online professional certificate program. Online Education at MIT: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems MIT Professional Education’s new four-course online professional certificate program, Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems is intended to provide a state-of-the-practice view on model-based systems engineering for technical professionals and engineers. This first-of-its-kind professional certificate was developed by leading MIT faculty and incorporates case studies, practitioner guest lectures and examples from a wide variety of industries and companies.
Guest: Met-L-Flow President Carl Dekker. Interviewed by Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor In Chief Brett Brune. How can we get around better? SME’s 2017 Digital Manufacturing Challenge invites college and high school students around the world who are in STEM fields to answer the question—by creating forward-thinking, mobility innovation solutions. Contest submissions are due before March 13.
Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune discusses The Digital Transformation full-day seminar with John Deere's Craig Sutton. Sutton is the chair of the Nov. 9 event. The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) is hosting it in Chicago.
Guest: Mike Molnar, Director - Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, US Dept of Commerce. Interviewed by Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor in Chief Brett Brune. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks with the US Dept of Commerce’s Mike Molnar about Manufacturing USA, the new public named for the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. Formally established in 2014, Manufacturing USA brings together industry, academia and federal partners within a growing network of advanced manufacturing institutes to increase US manufacturing competitiveness and promote a robust and sustainable national manufacturing R&D infrastructure. Hear the elevator pitch, and more.
Guest: David Morfas, Product Expert at the Plex Systems. Interviewed by Manufacturing Engineering Magazine Editor in Chief Jim Sawyer. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to David Morfas, who discuss how Smart Manufacturing is the convergence of several technology trends resulting in improved manufacturing productivity. It empowers manufacturers to be more competitive. This development promises to bring about a true revolution, with cloud technology enabling greater connectivity to people, machines and processes on the production floor and accessibility to actionable data like never before.
Guest: David Wick, Manager, Product Management at ZEISS Industrial Metrology. Interviewed by Manufacturing Engineering magazine Editor in Chief Jim Sawyer. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to David Wick, who discusses what ZEISS Industrial Metrology is planning for IMTS and new trends impacting the metrology industry today. We also discuss new products ZEISS Industrial Metrology plans to release in the upcoming months.
Guest: Dror Danai, Chief Business Officer at XJet Limited. Interviewed by Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor In Chief, Brett Brune. At the RAPID 2016 conference on additive manufacturing, Danai talks to Advanced Manufacturing Now about XJet’s positioning—immediately after he showed the public XJet’s liquid metal 3D printer and explained its new NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) technology.
Guest: James Gorham, Executive Vice President at Fujitsu Glovia. Interviewed by Manufacturing Engineering magazine Editor Bill Koenig. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to James Gorham, who discusses what Fujitsu Glovia is planning for IMTS, how the industry has been changing and some of the products Fujitsu Glovia has in the pipeline.
Guest: Rodger Boswell, Vice President of Sales at Hydromat Inc. Interviewed by Manufacturing Engineering magazine Editor Bill Koenig. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Rodger Boswell, who discusses what the company is planning for IMTS, how the industry has been changing and some of the products Hydromat has in the pipeline.
Guest: Howard Heppelmann, Divisional Vice President and General Manager, IoT Manufacturing Solutions, at PTC. Interviewed by Patrick Waurzyniak, Senior Editor, Advanced Manufacturing Media Following PTC’s LiveWorx IoT business event in Boston inJune, Heppelmann talks to Advanced Manufacturing Now about PTC’s role in the developing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “I think this is a topic that comes along sort of once in a generation,” he said, “and hopefully manufacturers recognize the opportunity that the Industrial Internet of Things or Internet of Things provides for them, as well as the threats, if they don’t act.”
Guest: Ed Youdell, President and CEO, Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International. Interviewed by Sarah A. Webster, Editor in Chief, Advanced Manufacturing Media. Youdell talks to Advanced Manufacturing Now about what’s new in the 5th year of Manufacturing Day, which will be held Oct. 7. The program has been a runaway success with more than 2,500 events in 2015, reaching more than 400,000 participants. AMN talks to Youdell about how to get involved. More information is available at www.mfgday.com.
Guest: Al Siblani, CEO and Founder, EnvisionTEC. Interviewed by Sarah A. Webster, Editor in Chief, Advanced Manufacturing Media. EnvisionTEC, a leading global manufacturer of professional grade 3D printing solutions headquartered in Dearborn, MI, and Gladbeck, Germany, has developed an all-new additive manufacturing technology to build composites. The SLCOM will be revealed for the first time at RAPID 2016 in Orlando, Florida.
Guest: John Fleming Executive Vice President Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs (Retired), Ford Motor Co., interviewed by Executive Editor James D. Sawyer John Fleming began his career as an apprentice and concluded it as Ford’s VP of Global Manufacturing, and talks about his involvement with Industry 4.0. Many in his position would reminisce about the past, Fleming, though is using his vast manufacturing knowledge to help others look ahead in his position as a director and advisor to SME’s Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series.
Guest: Antoine Bisson, co-founder and chief technical officer of Poka Inc. Interviewed by Smart Manufacturing magazine Editor Brett Brune. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Antoine Bisson about the “social industrial platform” he and a friend created to make training in manufacturing as easy as watching YouTube. It’s all about avoiding mistakes and downtime. (We threw in a little Japanese lesson, too.)
Guest: Brian Glowiak, SME Education Foundation. Interviewed by Editor in Chief Sarah A. Webster SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Brian Glowiak, Director of the SME Education Foundation, about the need for a skilled workforce in manufacturing, and how SME and its longstanding foundation is actively working to fill the pipeline of skilled manufacturing workers through its Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education (PRIME) program and other outreach efforts.
Guest: Mohamed Abuali, CEO Forcam, Inc. Interviewed by Senior Editor Patrick Waurzyniak. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Mohamed Abuali about Forcam’s technology for promoting a digital manufacturing future, and why small and medium manufacturers need to learn more about the available technology and how it can improve their competitiveness.
Guest: Neil Desrosiers, Applications Engineer and Developer, Mazak. Interviewed by Senior Editor James Lorincz. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Neil Derosiers of Mazak about the coming digital manufacturing revolution in advance of the MC2 conference to be held April 19-21 in Dallas, Texas. Where is this Internet of Things headed and is anybody really exempt from the future of manufacturing?
Guest: Al Albrecht, Author of “The American Machine Tool Industry.” Interviewed by Editor in Chief Sarah A. Webster. SME’s Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Al Abrecht, the author of the book, “The American Machine Tool Industry – It’s History, Growth, Restructuring & Recovery.” The 91-year-old, who retired from a long career in the machine tool industry, gives his observations about the industry and where it’s headed now. Albrecht last served as the Vice President of Textron’s Machine Tool Division in Cheshire, CT, and has an engineering degree from The Ohio State University.
Guest: Jeannine Kunz, ToolingU-SME. Interviewed by Editor in Chief Sarah A. Webster SME's Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Jeannine Kunz, the director of Tooling U-SME, about how workforce development is changing in an area where manufacturers struggle to find workers. Learn how ToolingU-SME helps small, medium and large manufacturers prepare a plan to keep their current workers on top of the latest technologies, develop ongoing training plans and ensure they can continue to grow with the workforce they need.
Guest: Jim Reid, General Manager, Robovent. Interviewed by Editor in Chief Sarah A. Webster SME's Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Jim Reid, General Manager and Co-Owner of RoboVent, about the company’s new Clean Air Educational Initiative. Clean air in manufacturing facilities is important to keeping employees happy and productive, and Reid talks about how RoboVent has helped to simplify the process of achieving truly clean air that meets regulations and keeps employees healthy.
Guest: Debbie Holton, SME Events & Industry Strategy. Interviewed by Editor in Chief Sarah A. Webster SME's Advanced Manufacturing Now talks to Debbie Holton, Director of Industry Strategy & Events at SME, about how manufacturing technology is changing and what that might mean for the future. We also discuss SME’s RAPID event, how the 3D printing industry is changing rapidly and the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. Finally, there’s nothing like a face-to-face event to learn about what’s new, so Holton discusses SME’s upcoming slate of events in North America.