Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

lean manufacturing

How a WW2-era factory is cutting production time by 80 percent

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Inside a compact production cell at Collins Aerospace’s wheel-and-brake facility in Troy, Ohio, two advanced machines now replace the five legacy machines once needed to produce aircraft wheels.

Together, they can cut production time from 45 days to just seven – a push the team calls “Wheels in a Week.”

Greg Smith, director of operations, says: “One, it’s obviously catchy. It rolls off the tongue, and the second, it is a challenge. And, everyone likes a challenge. [Read more…] about How a WW2-era factory is cutting production time by 80 percent

From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: Solving Common Assembly Line Inefficiencies

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Assembly lines keep the heart of manufacturing beating. When every part moves in sync, products roll out on time, and costs stay predictable.

But it does not take much to throw this rhythm off. A single slow workstation or outdated equipment can cause ripple effects that slow the entire line.

Fortunately, you can turn even the most stubborn bottlenecks into opportunities. This article will explore ways to recognize inefficiencies early and implement changes that lead to lasting improvements. [Read more…] about From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: Solving Common Assembly Line Inefficiencies

Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing Experiencing Visual Sales Revolution

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By Thomas R. Cutler

The most immediate and critical impact on the bottom-line can be found in the sales process. Over the past decade more manufacturers have become understandably enamored with the margins which exists in the ETO (engineer-to-order) space. Sadly, until now poor job quoting processes have consumed the competitive margins, even generating an unprofitable manufacturing project.

Nearly two-thirds of global manufacturers are now ETO. Due to customer demand for customization there has been a significant increase in demand for custom manufacturing versus repetitive manufacturing.

New best practice technologies have finally allowed the quoting process to capture every permutation and cost consideration prior to submitting a proposal or request for quote (RFQ).  [Read more…] about Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing Experiencing Visual Sales Revolution