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Manufacturing

Markforged raises $82 million to bring industrial 3D printing to mass production

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Markforged, a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers, has closed an $82 million Series D round of funding.

The round was led by Summit Partners with participation from existing strategic and financial partners, including Matrix Partners; M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund; Next47; and Porsche SE.

Markforged says it will use the additional capital to help accelerate its product roadmap, including the introduction of mass production printers and new materials.  [Read more…] about Markforged raises $82 million to bring industrial 3D printing to mass production

Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment projected to decrease in 2019

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Global semiconductor fabrication equipment spending is expected to decline 14 percent, to $53 billion, in 2019 but stage a strong recovery of 27 percent, rising to $67 billion, to set a new record in 2020, according to industry association Semi. 

Spurred by a slowdown in the memory sector, the 2019 downturn marks the end of a three-year growth run for semiconductor manufacturing equipment spending.

Over the past two years, memory accounted for an annual share of about 55 percent of all equipment, a proportion expected to drop to as low as 45 percent in 2019 but rebound to 55 percent in 2020.  [Read more…] about Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment projected to decrease in 2019

Industrial 3D printing poised to shift from prototyping to full-scale production runs, says survey

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Industrial 3D printing is poised to move from prototyping to full-scale production runs, according to a survey by Essentium, a provider of 3D printing technology and materials for additive manufacturing.

Essentium says the findings of its survey, 3D Printing At Scale, conducted by Dimensional Research, reveal that confidence in, and deployment of, industrial-scale 3D printing is at a tipping point amongst 3D production manufacturing stakeholders and decision makers.

Over half of the respondents report to be preparing for full-scale 3D printing production runs, 21 percent now use 3D printing for full-scale production part runs, and 88 percent believe the economic advantage to manufacturing industries from production scale 3D printing will be in the billions of dollars.  [Read more…] about Industrial 3D printing poised to shift from prototyping to full-scale production runs, says survey

ATI Industrial Automation launches new Compliant Deburring Blade

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ATI Industrial Automation has introduced a new Compliant Deburring Blade, its latest and most versatile deburring tool.

The pneumatically-controlled, articulated design gives users the ability to tune the contact force to accommodate specific applications by changing the air pressure.

The CDB excels in light and medium deburring, chamfering, and scraping operations on materials such as plastic, aluminum, steel, and brass.  [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation launches new Compliant Deburring Blade

Hannover Messe to showcase modular production systems

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This year’s Hannover Messe will feature a showcase on modular production.

For the third year running, manufacturers, users and module providers will demonstrate the ability of interface standardization to significantly increase production plant flexibility in process manufacturing.

The key is to have end-to-end modularization and make greater use of intelligent, decentralized automation, say the experts.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe to showcase modular production systems

General Motors to invest $20 million in Michigan plant

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General Motors is investing $20 million at its Romulus, Michigan propulsion plant to increase the facility’s capacity for future 10-speed transmission production.

Romulus currently builds V6 engines and 10-speed transmissions used in several GM cars, trucks and crossovers.

The new investment will be used to purchase additional machining equipment that will enable the transmission capacity expansion. GM is not disclosing specifics or timing related to the plant’s future products at this time.  [Read more…] about General Motors to invest $20 million in Michigan plant

Groupe PSA Poissy plant to produce an additional vehicle

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Groupe PSA’s Poissy plant is to produce an additional vehicle.

The allocation of a new Opel/Vauxhall B-SUV was made possible by the initiatives taken to enhance performance at the plant, says the company.

Investments since 2016 have made the Poissy plant the first one of Groupe PSA to assemble on the company’s multi-energy common modular platform.  [Read more…] about Groupe PSA Poissy plant to produce an additional vehicle

Lightweight, superstrong steel critical to Horyong’s truck-mounted aerial lift and ladder vehicles

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South Korea-based Horyong boasts 28 years of know-how in the production of truck-mounted aerial lifts, used in construction and at other work sites.

To meet customer demand, and possess the competitive edge needed on the global market, the company almost exclusively uses SSAB’s Strenx performance steel in the special purpose vehicles manufactured.

All over the world urbanization continues to grow, and the construction of more housing and office buildings intensify the demand on industrial equipment.  [Read more…] about Lightweight, superstrong steel critical to Horyong’s truck-mounted aerial lift and ladder vehicles

Dematic to introduce automated buffer system for meat processor

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Dematic, supplier of integrated automated technology, software and services for the supply chain, plans to implement an automated meat buffering and storage solution in a meat processing facility for the Australian Lamb Company.

The new Dematic system will be used to buffer meat products in a chilled and frozen environment and prepare shipments of meat products going to hotels, restaurants, butchers, and supermarket chains. It is scheduled to start up during the second quarter of 2019.

The Dematic Meat Buffer storage and handling solution will provide better visibility of product flow and accuracy, as well as improvement in efficiency at the meat processing facility.

[Read more…] about Dematic to introduce automated buffer system for meat processor

Bühler strengthens its strategic position and continues to grow

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The Bühler Group, a supplier of food production equipment, says it has “continued its positive development in 2018”, with all businesses achieving organic growth.

The company presented its annual report this week.

Haas was successfully integrated into the Bühler Group in 2018 and contributed to Bühler’s success.  [Read more…] about Bühler strengthens its strategic position and continues to grow