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Manufacturing

Xometry acquires MakeTime and raises $25 million in additional funding

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Xometry, which claims to be the largest on-demand manufacturing platform, has acquired MakeTime, another leading on-demand manufacturing company.

Both are well-known providers of 3D printing services.

This acquisition brings together two of the country’s top manufacturing network platforms. The combined company will operate under the Xometry brand name and have offices in Maryland and Kentucky.

The acquisition will allow Xometry to grow its national partner network of manufacturers from 1,100 to over 2,300 while gaining MakeTime’s enterprise product expertise and features including their Autodesk Fusion add-in and Shop Advantage program.  [Read more…] about Xometry acquires MakeTime and raises $25 million in additional funding

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

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The global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is forecast to reach a record $62.7 billion, according to a report by the industry association SEMI.

The organization says the figure tops the previous record, and that Korea is at the top with China closing the gap.

Releasing its mid-year forecast at the annual Semicon West exposition, SEMI says worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment are projected to increase 10.8 percent to $62.7 billion in 2018, exceeding the historic high of $56.6 billion set last year.  [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales set to reach record $63 billion

California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

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CMTC and its California’s Manufacturing Network has expanded its capabilities to include advanced robotics and automation consulting for manufacturers in California.

CMTC is one of 51 centers across the US in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which is part of the US Government’s effort to develop technology, management and technical expertise for small and medium enterprises focused on improving their productivity and global competitiveness.

As part of the new initiative, Raminder Sandhu has joined CMTC in the position of advanced robotics and automation practice lead.  [Read more…] about California manufacturing group expands capabilities to include robotics and automation

Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

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Faurecia and Parrot have finalized a proposal which will see the take-over of 100 per cent of Parrot Automotive by Faurecia, ahead of schedule.

The company says the transaction “underlines the importance of Parrot Automotive in Faurecia’s Cockpit of the Future strategy”.

This refers to the general trend of developing what are called “digital cockpits” or virtual dashboards” for new cars and vehicles.

Faurecia says the takeover will “accelerate the development” of infotainment solutions based on the Android operating system by Parrot Automotive and the development of an open platform integrating the different connected systems and functionalities of the vehicle interior.  [Read more…] about Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation says it is making it easy for small- to medium-sized factories to realise the benefits of an Andon system, with the introduction of iQ Monozukuri Andon.

The simple, cost-effective Andon package allows visualisation of production sites using Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT2000 graphic operation terminal and a web browser.

iQ Monozukuri Andon offers pre-engineered project data and software to quickly and easily implement and operate an Andon system, claims the firm.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new devices to visualise production sites

Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

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German industrial giant has started construction on a billion-dollar semiconductor manufacturing facility – or, in Bosch’s words, a “factory of the future” in Dresden, Germany.

The company said that the foundation stone laid recently in Dresden is “a key milestone” in the construction of the Bosch Group’s “state-of-the-art” wafer fabrication facility.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2019, when installation of the production machinery will start.  [Read more…] about Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

DuPont to invest $45 million in new manufacturing facility in Delaware

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DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers (T&AP), a business unit of DowDuPont Specialty Products Division, today announced the purchase of a new facility in Newark, Delaware.

The site will manufacture Kalrez, a specialised engineered material used in a variety of sealing applications that require high-temperature performance and excellent chemical resistance.

The facility is twice the size of the current plant in Newark, and will be outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

[Read more…] about DuPont to invest $45 million in new manufacturing facility in Delaware

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

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CNC machine shop has “increased speed and adaptability” with collaborative automation solution

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, a CNC machine shop and custom manufacturer, has installed a Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot at its Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility to increase operational efficiency and to counterbalance a tight labor market.

Founded in 1952, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing supplies parts to more than a dozen sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical equipment and oil and gas.

The company is noted for its innovation and regularly brings new technology into the factory to increase speed, improve efficiency and remain competitive.  [Read more…] about Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

Toyota and Denso to consolidate production of components

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Toyota Motor and its main supplier Denso have agreed to begin considerations toward consolidating the core electronic component operations of both Toyota and Denso within Denso.

Currently, advanced development and mass-production development for Toyota’s electronic components, as well as the production of such components, are conducted by both Toyota and Denso.

The considerations to be made under today’s agreement are to focus on consolidating mass-production development and production within Denso.  [Read more…] about Toyota and Denso to consolidate production of components

Siemens and HP expand collaboration for industrial 3D printed parts

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HP Inc. and Siemens have expanded their longstanding collaboration to enable even more advanced functionality across a broader set of Siemens PLM software to change the way users can design and manufacture with HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology.

With the latest releases, Siemens, a leader in digial innovation software, and HP, the global industry leader in 3D printing, will enable users of Siemens’ NX™ software and Solid Edge software to design and produce full colour 3D-printed parts.

HP’s Jet Fusion 3D 300/500 series is the industry’s first 3D printing solution for the production of engineering-grade, functional parts in full colour, black or white – with voxel-level control – in a fraction of the time of other solutions, it is claimed.

[Read more…] about Siemens and HP expand collaboration for industrial 3D printed parts