Market trends and business perspectives
In the dynamic world of design and manufacturing, the choice of engraving method can significantly influence the outcome of your project.
This article serves as a comprehensive guide, examining the pros and cons of various engraving methods, including laser engraving, with a special focus on CO2 lasers. Our goal is to help you determine the best technique to suit your needs. [Read more…] about Laser Engraving vs. Other Engraving Methods: Which One is Right for You?
Michael Bartlett, an assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been granted a $590,600 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award to research and understand new strategies for manufacturing liquid metal-based soft composites.
These functional composites are deformable robust materials that could be used to make robots and electronics that are soft, stretchable, and compatible for skin-like wearable devices.
The CAREER award is the foundation’s most prestigious award for early career faculty, encouraging them to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their organizations. [Read more…] about National Science Foundation awards Michael Bartlett $590,600 to study soft composite manufacturing
Case hardening process used to increase wear resistance, surface hardness and fatigue life through creation of a hardened surface layer while maintaining an unaffected core microstructure.
Induction hardening is used to increase the mechanical properties of ferrous components in a specific area. Typical applications are powertrain, suspension, engine components and stampings.
Induction hardening is excellent at repairing warranty claims / field failures. The primary benefits are improvements in strength, fatigue and wear resistance in a localised area without having to redesign the component. [Read more…] about Benefits of Induction Hardening
Intel Labs, in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Technology and the Technical University of Munich, has introduced a new approach to neural network-based object learning.
It specifically targets future applications like robotic assistants that interact with unconstrained environments, including in logistics, healthcare or elderly care.
This research is a crucial step in improving the capabilities of future assistive or manufacturing robots. It uses neuromorphic computing through new interactive online object learning methods to enable robots to learn new objects after deployment. [Read more…] about Intel’s new AI chip enables ‘real-time learning for robots’
Methods Machine Tools, the foremost supplier of high-quality, high-precision CNC machine tools and automation in North America, has released the Turn-Assist 200i and 270i from RoboJob as its first, end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura-Tome turning centers.
A semi-collaborative system engineered for lathe automation, Turn-Assist is designed to be implemented and run by operators of any skill level. With a simple tablet-style HMI and standard Ethernet IP interface, shops can successfully change over from one part to another within minutes.
Zach Spencer, Methods’ automation manager, says: “By pairing the Turn-Assist from RoboJob with Nakamura-Tome, we have created a unique automation solution for high-mix/low-volume and/or mid-volume with frequent changeovers on round workpieces often associated with Nakamura lathes. [Read more…] about Methods Machine Tools releases its first end-to-end standard automation system for Nakamura turning centers
Figuring out how to meet rising production demand can be deceptive. On the surface, it’s a simple math problem. If you have one machine on the floor and it makes eight parts per day, and you need to produce 16 parts per day, just add another machine, right?
Meeting demand in a consistent, cost-effective manner is a bit more complicated. Sometimes, it takes a little more due diligence to uncover the best way to increase throughput or meet rising demand.
The operations group at Ultradent Products, a leading developer and manufacturer of high- tech dental materials and devices, faced such a problem. In 2017, the company sought to increase production of its industry-leading Valo curing light, used by dental clinicians to cure dental composites, sealants, and various other chemistries. [Read more…] about Small-batch medical shop triples production with robotics
It is only fair to say that dentistry has evolved since it was introduced. Incorporating technology fuels this evolution into branches of medical sciences like dentistry.
We know technology and the application of science towards making life easier. Thus, incorporating technology into dentistry has made life in this field more accessible and faster while pushing the field to evolve constantly.
The change that technology brings to a field does not stop as it always looks for ways to optimize the previous solutions it has proffered to develop a better and more effective solution. [Read more…] about How 3D Printing is Revolutionizing Dentistry
Since the 1940s, engineers have used a common design language – a set of definitions, symbols and practices – to draft engineering drawings that can serve as clear manufacturing blueprints or inspection checklists.
While this system still works well for many traditional manufacturing methods, it has not equipped engineers to produce clear and consistent design documents for additive manufacturing, commonly called 3D printing. And the absence of standard methods of communication leaves room for information about 3D-printing designs to be lost in translation.
This week the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) published an updated standard – based in large part on research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – that includes language specifically for 3D printing. [Read more…] about ASME updates 3D printing standard to streamline production
Skyryse, a transportation technology company, and Air Methods, an American air medical transport company, have agreed a partnership to retrofit more than 400 single-engine helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in the Air Methods fleet with FlightOS, a shared mission to advance further safety measures to protect pilots and patients.
The new Skyryse FlightOS hardware and software stack replaces overly complex and manual flight control systems, allowing pilots to control helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with a far simpler and safer control interface.
Air Methods has also invested $5 million into Skyryse Series B, bringing the total raised to $205 million, further backing the LA-based company’s automation hardware and software. [Read more…] about Skyryse and Air Methods partner to install new software in medical aircraft
Methods Machine Tools, a supplier of machine tools and automation equipment in North America, recently added the Fanuc RoboCut α- CiC series to its line of wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) products.
Steve Raucci, Methods’ technical sales director and RoboCut product manager, says: “The α-CiC series continues to push the boundaries of speed, precision, and reliability.
“The redesigned α-CiC series creates a faster, more exact EDM experience.” [Read more…] about Methods Machine Tools adds next generation of RoboCut to product line
