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Manufacturing

Manufacturing Software: Definition and Benefits for Your Business

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Today, IT solutions are just as necessary as the machinery and heavy equipment used to produce products. As such, it is used by large and new small and medium manufacturing companies.

This software is also designed for those who have factory businesses such as import/export trade. Manufacturing IT solutions are designed to streamline a manufacturer’s operations, from supply chain management to distribution management, increase organizational productivity, and reduce operating costs.

Manufacturing software is a tool that provides functionality to plan and execute projects from beginning to end while automating materials planning, production tracking, and scheduling and product lifecycle management. [Read more…] about Manufacturing Software: Definition and Benefits for Your Business

North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

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North American robot sales in the first nine months of 2022 reached record levels, with all indications pointing to 2022 ending with the highest number of robots sold in a year for the second year in a row.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), from January to September 2022, North American companies purchased 35,804 units valued at $1.875 billion, up 24 percent for units ordered and 27 percent for revenue over the same period in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “Ongoing labor shortages, easier-to-use robotic solutions and new industries embracing robotics, such as restaurants, retail, construction and even agriculture, have led to record units sold here in North America this year. [Read more…] about North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

Formic makes robotics available to hire ‘by the hour’

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Formic, a startup robotics-as-a-service company, has introduced Formic Flex, which it describes as “a unique service offering that recognizes the shifting needs and changing requirements that manufacturers face”.

Formic Flex enables manufacturers to subscribe to robotic systems “by the hour” and when their needs shift, swap those systems for other systems at no cost.

Allowing manufacturers to boost their productivity without being tied to specific equipment, Formic Flex applies to selected and certified robotic tenders across various applications, such as machine tending, welding, palletizing, depalletizing, and case packing. [Read more…] about Formic makes robotics available to hire ‘by the hour’

Comau to provide robotic systems for Daimler’s first truck production line in China

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Comau has built an advanced, automated welding solution for Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive, a joint venture between Daimler Trucks and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor.

In doing so, Comau is helping support BFDA’s first localized heavy-duty truck for the Chinese market, the “Actros”, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz global platform and uses Daimler’s most advanced truck technology.

Featuring 100 percent process automation, the Comau-designed production line is engineered to be completely flexible in order to handle complex model management and variable output management. [Read more…] about Comau to provide robotic systems for Daimler’s first truck production line in China

What are CNC machining services and what are they useful for?

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Over the past few years, CNC machining services have become a vital part of the modern manufacturing world. They offer a wide range of benefits, including efficiency, scalability and enhanced personal safety.

But what is CNC machining, exactly? What are the various types? And more so, what benefits does it offer? This post will cover everything you need about CNC machining, starting with the basics. [Read more…] about What are CNC machining services and what are they useful for?

Comau supplies robotic systems for 20 Alfa Romeo manufacturing lines

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Comau has designed and deployed a flexible body-in-white (BIW – a car body) manufacturing solution for the all-new Tonale (pictured below), the first Alfa SUV of the new generation, meeting both the customer’s rigorous production targets, quality goals and time to market objectives.

The new and enhanced 20 lines are designed to allow the automaker to assemble its mid-size Tonale in a random mix of up to 4 different versions while maintaining the desired throughput.

Fully scalable, the innovative solution lets the automaker produce multiple brands on the same line whileallowing them to further expand production in the future if and when it is needed. [Read more…] about Comau supplies robotic systems for 20 Alfa Romeo manufacturing lines

CNC Machining: Your Guide to Understanding the Types

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CNC machining is an important process in the manufacturing industry that involves using computers to control automated cutting and milling machines, which carve out parts from large blocks of raw materials like metal, wood, and plastic.

In this article, we’ll discuss CNC precision machining, how it works, and its advantages over other machining methods, such as hand or machine tools. We’ll also cover some advanced uses of CNC machines that aren’t always obvious to first-time users.

Let’s get started. [Read more…] about CNC Machining: Your Guide to Understanding the Types

Worldwide silicon wafer shipments set new record

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Worldwide silicon wafer shipments reached a new record of 3,741 million square inches (MSI) in the third quarter of 2022, according to industry association SEMI.

This is an increase of 1 percent quarter-over-quarter and growth of 2.5 percent from the 3,649 MSI recorded during the same quarter last year, the SEMI Silicon Manufacturers Group (SMG) reports in its quarterly analysis of the silicon wafer industry.

Anna-Riikka Vuorikari-Antikainen, chairman of SEMI SMG and chief commercial officer at Okmetic, says: “While the semiconductor industry has faced macroeconomic headwinds, the silicon industry continues to show quarter-over-quarter shipment increases. [Read more…] about Worldwide silicon wafer shipments set new record

How CNC machining helps the robotics industry

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The industry is in a state of constant evolution and the need for robots is gradually increasing day by day.

Now, before you start thinking about the Terminator 2 scenario, you need to realize that it is no longer some distant future. It is our reality. And they are not here to bring us the Judgment Day, they are here to help our industry grow.

Robots are everywhere today and their production costs less compared to manual labor. So making sure that robots remain operational and that you have effective servicing covered is beneficial for the robotics industry. [Read more…] about How CNC machining helps the robotics industry

BMC selects Zebra to automate operations

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Zebra Technologies, an industrial automation company, says Bespoke Manufacturing Company, an apparel manufacturer, has selected S&H Systems and Zebra’s Fetch autonomous mobile robots and fixed industrial scanners to improve visibility and productivity.

Zebra’s solution will improve BMC’s workflow visibility from the initial printing and cutting of fabric to the final phase of packing and shipping, increasing efficiency and productivity and allowing the manufacturer to scale up to meet growing demand.

BMC selected Zebra’s end-to-end industrial and robotics automation solution to enable front-line workers to focus on production. Its entire workflow logistics are delegated to Zebra’s Fetch AMRs and fixed industrial scanners which move, trace and direct workpieces to their destinations. [Read more…] about BMC selects Zebra to automate operations