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manufacturers

Manufacturing industry turning to robotics and AI in challenging economic landscape, says Deloitte

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The manufacturing industry is turning to robotics and artificial intelligence as well as a range of other strategies to navigate an increasingly challenging economic landscape, according to a report by Deloitte.

The management consultancy says that, as the risk of a global economic downturn grows, the industrial manufacturing industry faces a challenging landscape in 2020 replete with trade tensions, muted job growth, supply chain volatility and an ongoing skilled talent shortage.

Yet, despite these headwinds, industry leaders are rapidly developing coping strategies – not only to weather the brewing storm, but to thrive in spite of it. [Read more…] about Manufacturing industry turning to robotics and AI in challenging economic landscape, says Deloitte

Essentium research shows industrial-scale 3D printing moving into mainstream manufacturing

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Essentium, a leading innovator in industrial additive manufacturing, has released the first in a series of findings from independent global research on the current and future use of industrial 3D printing.

The study reveals a significant increase in the use of large-scale additive manufacturing (AM).

The number of manufacturers using 3D printing for full-scale production has doubled compared to last year (40 per cent in 2019; 21 per cent in 2018). [Read more…] about Essentium research shows industrial-scale 3D printing moving into mainstream manufacturing

Automation 2020: Manufacturers Adopt Overall Pricing Effectiveness

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By Gabriel Smith, chief evangelist at Pricefx

Eliminating pricing waste: Overall Pricing Effectiveness (OPE)

There is an even more effective means to improve profitability than variable cost reduction.

In fact, according to many studies, improving variable cost typically results in a <8 per cent improvement in profitability whereas improving price results in an >11 per cent improvement in operating profit.  [Read more…] about Automation 2020: Manufacturers Adopt Overall Pricing Effectiveness

Finger Lakes college partners with New Scale Robotics to develop collaborative robot tools

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Finger Lakes Community College has been awarded a $50,000 manufacturing grant from the FuzeHub Innovation Fund to support its work with New Scale Robotics, accelerating development of New Scale’s precision measurement and gripping tools for a wide range of collaborative robots.

New Scale has a line of precision grippers, calipers and other tools that install in minutes on cobots from Universal Robots.

New Scale will collaborate with Dr Sam Samanta, head of the Instrumentation and Controls program at FLCC, and his students to develop a Smart Platform that expands plug-and-play compatibility of New Scale Robotics tools to multiple additional cobot brands. [Read more…] about Finger Lakes college partners with New Scale Robotics to develop collaborative robot tools

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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Download our new white paper, Smart Factory: Material Handing in the Factory of the Future

The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

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Senseye, the industrial software company, is rolling out its suite of technologies and methodologies in automotive manufacturing facilities in the US.

Senseye’s technology suite, Senseye PdM, is used by global automotive manufacturers to monitor the condition of machinery in real time.

It spots emerging problems with monitored assets and identifies when they are most likely to fail by using machine learning algorithms to analyse data relating to key condition indicators such as vibration, pressure, temperature and torque levels. [Read more…] about Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

US manufacturing sector faces ‘workforce crisis’, says Manufacturing Institute

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The US is facing a “workforce crisis”, according to the Manufacturing Institute.

The Institute, and the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, kicked off a month-long celebration of modern manufacturing last week on Manufacturing Day – October 4th.

Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers in an industry that is vital to our economy. [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector faces ‘workforce crisis’, says Manufacturing Institute

Controlling complexity: Powerful new tech tools are bringing lean manufacturing principles to life

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By Dan McKiernan, president of eFlex Systems

Lean manufacturing principles and practices aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing productivity, have been shaping the manufacturing sector for decades now.

The necessary end-goal for manufacturers is to ensure that products are built correctly, every time, even when changes are made in-process.

While this goal is nothing new, the rise of complexity and customization challenges presents a constant counterpressure against the continuing push for improved consistency and quality. [Read more…] about Controlling complexity: Powerful new tech tools are bringing lean manufacturing principles to life

Goudsmit Magnetics improves its gripper for picking up sheet metal

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Goudsmit Magnetics has unveiled its new and improved magnetic gripper for the automated pick-up, placement or positioning of steel or other ferromagnetic objects.

The company says the end effector is ideal for removing sheet metal from presses, de-stacking products from boxes (bin picking), assembling steel parts or handling of punched steel parts, blanks and perforated steel sheets in robotic applications.

The ultralight magnetic gripper is fitted with strong permanent neodymium magnets and is therefore extra safe. It can be used in grippers on robot arms. [Read more…] about Goudsmit Magnetics improves its gripper for picking up sheet metal

Geek+ Robotics provides innovation insights at technical forum on sidelines of IMHX

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Geek+ Robotics, the world’s leading supplier of warehouse robots, has been providing technical insights into its latest innovations at a forum on the sidelines of IMHX, the ongoing intralogistics technology show being held in the UK.

Senior executives from Geek+, which has sold more than 7,000 warehouse robots since its inception five years ago, presented a variety of solutions that will add completely new functionalities to its current offerings.

Some of the ideas are still at the idea stage, while others are being developed in partnership with clients in the logistics and manufacturing industries. [Read more…] about Geek+ Robotics provides innovation insights at technical forum on sidelines of IMHX