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Manufacturing

How automation is transforming remanufacturing

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Automation in remanufacturing and repair – extending product lifecycles

For decades, industrial automation has focused on one goal: producing more goods, faster and cheaper. But a quieter shift is now under way. Increasingly, manufacturers are turning their attention not to making new products, but to extending the life of existing ones.

This shift is being driven by a combination of economic pressure and environmental necessity. Global e-waste alone reached an estimated 62 million tonnes in 2022, according to the United Nations, and is projected to continue rising sharply. At the same time, raw material costs and supply chain volatility are forcing companies to rethink how value is created – and preserved.

Remanufacturing, once considered a niche activity, is emerging as a serious industrial strategy. In sectors such as automotive and heavy machinery, remanufactured components can cost 40 to 80 percent less than new equivalents while delivering comparable performance. The global automotive remanufacturing market alone is valued in the tens of billions of dollars. [Read more…] about How automation is transforming remanufacturing

What Are Sputtering Targets and Why Do They Matter in Advanced Manufacturing?

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The scale and complexity of thin-film deposition in modern manufacturing is extreme. Advanced semiconductor chips can require many deposition steps, creating large stacks of thin-film materials. One of the key inputs behind these processes is the sputtering target.

Sputtering targets are precision materials used inside vacuum chambers in semiconductor manufacturing and other industries, including advanced electronics, photonics, coatings, and displays.

They play an important role in thin-film performance, process stability, and manufacturing consistency, which is why they matter to engineers and production teams. [Read more…] about What Are Sputtering Targets and Why Do They Matter in Advanced Manufacturing?

ABB Robotics survey shows acceleration in automation investment for automotive manufacturers

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Automotive manufacturers and key supply chain companies are accelerating investment in robotics and automation as they seek to remain competitive, control costs and address ongoing workforce and energy pressures, according to ABB Robotics’ latest Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey.

“The intelligent factory is no longer a future ambition – it has become essential for manufacturers looking to stay competitive in a challenging and fast-moving environment,” said Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics automotive business line.

“This year’s survey shows that automation, particularly more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVRTM), are increasingly viewed as a practical, near-term solution to cost pressures, labor availability and energy efficiency challenges.” [Read more…] about ABB Robotics survey shows acceleration in automation investment for automotive manufacturers

Kistler and ATS develop high-speed medical device assembly line with real-time quality monitoring

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Kistler Group, a specialist in dynamic measurement technology, and ATS Life Sciences Systems (LSS), an automation solutions provider, have joined forces for a state-of-the-art medical device assembly line.

Combining advanced sensor technology from Kistler with a patented digital motion system from ATS LSS, Symphoni platform delivers real-time in-line quality assurance for medical devices, up to 320 parts per minute with 90 percent less tooling and full traceability.

The platform sets a new benchmark for scalable, data-driven automation in medical device manufacturing, supporting regulatory-compliant production, audit-ready data, and flexible handling of multiple product types on a single line.  [Read more…] about Kistler and ATS develop high-speed medical device assembly line with real-time quality monitoring

ABB Robotics survey shows EV confidence as production shifts from disruption to delivery

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Automotive manufacturers worldwide are showing growing confidence in their ability to build electric vehicles efficiently and at scale, according to ABB Robotics’ latest Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey, as EV production becomes a more established and predictable manufacturing discipline.

“This year’s survey presents a more positive picture of EV manufacturing than we have seen in previous years,” said Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics automotive business line.

“Key indicators such as manufacturing time, cost and integration show that EV production is increasingly becoming a known quantity. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics survey shows EV confidence as production shifts from disruption to delivery

Robotic seafood company Shinkei Systems acquires first processing plant to scale nationwide

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Shinkei Systems, the seafood robotics company behind Seremoni Grade fish, announced it has purchased a 16,000-square-foot processing plant in Tacoma, Washington.

The Seremoni Grade Plant more than doubles Shinkei’s total footprint and represents a major milestone in the company’s mission to deliver Michelin-quality fish for all.

Situated in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the plant provides a strategic hub for the West Coast seafood industry with direct proximity to key regional fisheries. [Read more…] about Robotic seafood company Shinkei Systems acquires first processing plant to scale nationwide

Wootzwork raises $6.6 million to ‘bring predictability to offshore manufacturing’

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As global manufacturing shifts across regions, supply chains, and regulatory environments, execution risk has quietly become one of the biggest constraints on industrial growth.

For many OEMs, the challenge is no longer access to factories, but the complexity of coordinating dozens of suppliers, quality systems, timelines, and interfaces across borders. Wootzwork was built to solve that problem.

Recently, the company announced a $6.6 million Series A round to scale a new model of manufacturing execution built around single-point accountability. [Read more…] about Wootzwork raises $6.6 million to ‘bring predictability to offshore manufacturing’

BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

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The BMW Group is preparing to test humanoid robots in its car production in Europe for the first time, as the company accelerates its push to integrate artificial intelligence directly into factory operations.

The pilot project will take place at the company’s Leipzig plant in Germany, where engineers will test how humanoid robots can work alongside existing manufacturing systems in series vehicle production. The robots will also be evaluated for use in battery assembly and component manufacturing.

The project is part of BMW’s broader effort to introduce what it describes as “Physical AI” – the combination of digital artificial intelligence with physical machines such as robots operating in real industrial environments. [Read more…] about BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

PIA launches advanced automation solution for razor cartridge manufacturing

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PIA Automation, a specialist in advanced automation solutions, has announced the successful development and launch of a new high-volume assembly and packaging line for personal shaving razor cartridges.

The system combines patented multi-blade technology with two parallel high-speed transport systems to deliver consistent quality, reliability and high-speed operation under demanding production conditions.

Designed to handle the delicate components of personal shaving products, each razor cartridge must meet strict requirements for a close, comfortable shave. The thin, hardened and sharpened blades require precise handling, repeatable assembly and stable high-speed processes. [Read more…] about PIA launches advanced automation solution for razor cartridge manufacturing

Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Automation on the Tile Manufacturing Industry

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Finance, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and films – these are some of the major industries that one thinks about when AI, or artificial intelligence, is mentioned.

What people do not know is that AI has moved far beyond its initial stages and now has entered every field possible. It is not just being used in the service sector, but is also advancing the field of manufacturing as well.

The tile manufacturing industry is one of the significant examples of how AI and automation are changing this field. AI is reshaping the way tiles are designed, produced, and even sold. [Read more…] about Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Automation on the Tile Manufacturing Industry