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General Electric: An industrial giant learning to live in a small world

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After years of rebranding itself as a “digital” company, General Electric is returning to being a plain old $100-billion industrial giant that builds aircraft engines and equipment for the energy industry.

According to the New York Times, GE spent “several billion dollars” building its digital business, with former CEO Geoff Immelt telling the Harvard Business Review that the company “put about $4 billion into developing analytics software and machine learning capabilities”.

The idea seemed to have been, and still may be, to provide the equivalent of an operating system for machinery and equipment which are connected to the industrial internet of things, and, in the process, become one of the top 10 software companies in the world. [Read more…] about General Electric: An industrial giant learning to live in a small world

Murata launches auto industry’s ‘first’ GHz band tiniest noise suppressor

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Murata claims it has launched “industry’s first GHz Band 0201-inch noise suppression filter for automotive applications.

Murata has launched a BLM03EB_SH series, 0.6 x 0.3 mm GHZ band, high impedance ferrite bead, or noise suppression filter, for the auto industry.

This is intended mainly for use with automotive powertrain and safety applications. This product has already entered mass production.  [Read more…] about Murata launches auto industry’s ‘first’ GHz band tiniest noise suppressor

Digitalization: Vention’s online software enables machine builders to ‘design today, receive tomorrow’

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The industrial sector is going through a time of rapid digitalization, with everything in the real world being recreated in the digital realm. 

Everything from a component to a complete, complex system – even an entire factory with all the machinery inside – can now be designed, prototyped and built through a computer.

What’s more, you don’t even need the design software to be installed on your machine as there are cloud-based applications available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Vention is an example of a relatively new online design-to-build service where users can design industrial equipment and have the company ship the parts to them – all within a day or two.

[Read more…] about Digitalization: Vention’s online software enables machine builders to ‘design today, receive tomorrow’

TerraClear raises $5.5 million to develop rock-picking robot for agriculture

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A startup company called TerraClear has raised $5.5 million to develop a rock-picking robot for agricultural applications.

The funding has been raised from friends and family, according to GeekWire.com.

Co-founder Brent Frei says the money will be used to develop prototypes of the machine and build the team.  [Read more…] about TerraClear raises $5.5 million to develop rock-picking robot for agriculture

D&W Fine Pack invests $8 million into expanding facility and adding more automation technology

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D&W Fine Pack, a leader in foodservice packaging, is investing in excess of $8 million to further modernize its straw, cutlery and kitting operations, located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.

The improvements are part of an ongoing commitment to producing “the most innovative, cost-effective product offerings to support stock and custom applications in the marketplace”, says the company.

D&W claims to be the country’s largest straw manufacturer, and is modifying its 650,000-square-foot plant to meet growing demand for utensils and straws within the foodservice industry.  [Read more…] about D&W Fine Pack invests $8 million into expanding facility and adding more automation technology

Techman Robot to double production capacity

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The Techman Robot company is planning to double production capacity, according to a report on DigiTimes.com. 

The company shipped approximately 2,000 units in 2017 and expects that figure to “expand exponentially” to 4,000 this year, reports DigiTimes.

Techman, which is part of the Quanta Group, says it is expanding to meet anticipated demand for its robotic arm.  [Read more…] about Techman Robot to double production capacity

Fanuc America to expand headquarters with new facility in Michigan

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Fanuc America Corporation, major supplier of robotics, CNC systems, robomachines and industrial IoT solutions, has announced plans to construct a new facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, US, that will be used for engineering, product development, manufacturing and warehousing.

Fanuc’s products are applied in a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, consumer products, food and pharmaceuticals to name a few.

Since 1982, the company’s line of painting robots, and a variety of automation software products have been designed and built in Michigan.

[Read more…] about Fanuc America to expand headquarters with new facility in Michigan

Kollmorgen servo motors provide boost for robotics start-up

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Collaborative robots were a big feature of the Hannover Messe trade show again in 2018.

Small, intelligent, sensitive, and self-learning: The ways in which robots can be used are increasing all the time.

And the level of acceptance is also rising – not least thanks to attractive prices and short return-on-investment times.  [Read more…] about Kollmorgen servo motors provide boost for robotics start-up

Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

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Manufacturers are concerned that skilled labor shortage could stymie innovation, finds LEK Consulting survey

Most US manufacturers agree that increased growth and investment opportunities are on the horizon, despite some of the uncertainties related to global trade.

But they say a major issue looms: Where are the skilled workers for the digital factories of the future?

In a recent survey of 200 decision-makers across seven manufacturing industries, global management consulting firm LEK Consulting found that four out of five US manufacturers are preparing for an increase in automation technology, with only 18 percent of companies saying they have minimal plans for automation.  [Read more…] about Skills shortage could slow down the manufacturing sector, says report

Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company

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The German government has blocked a Chinese bid to buy another of the country’s industrial companies, according to a report on IndustryWeek.com. 

A deal had been discussed for China’s Yantai Taihai Group to take over Leifeld Metal Spinning, an industrial machine builder established in 1891.

Industry Week reports that Yantai had already withdrawn the bid before the German government issued its veto, but the current business environment appears to be different from what it was a couple of years ago.  [Read more…] about Merkel blocks Chinese bid to buy German industrial company