Automation

Workforce Development 17 Dec 2018

How We Misread Productivity Gains in the Debate About Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing appears to lead other sectors in productivity growth, but productivity measures pick up factors besides automation. Recognizing this fact changes the terms of part of the public debate.

Automation 5 Dec 2018

Three Expectations for Robotic Automation

Shops take some modern robot capabilities as given, but a recent trade show in Japan demonstrated ways those capabilities continue to improve.

Automation 29 Nov 2018

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Appoints New Leadership

Drs. Thomas Kurfess and Scott Smith will lead critical programs in advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics at the lab, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Automation 23 Nov 2018

Universal Robots Hires Former Rethink Robotics Employees

Universal Robots welcomes more than 20 former Rethink Robotics staff members, incorporating valuable expertise in engineering, product development and customer applications.

Automation 2 Nov 2018

OnRobot Establishes U.S. HQ in Dallas, Texas

“Not only was it the prime location for our business, we were also pleased to see the tech boom that has been going on in the city,” says Kristian Hulgard, general manager of OnRobot’s Americas division.

Workforce Development 1 Nov 2018

Communicating the Value of Time Is the Key to Online Job Quoting

Online digital tools that automate the quote-to-order process must help job shops and their customers agree on the value of time.

Data-Driven Manufacturing 1 Nov 2018

The Unattended Effects of CNC Machine Shop Automation

Automated machining and data collection have helped Custom Tool to not only grow its business through more lights-out production, but also to establish a continuous-improvement mindset that has enabled it to become more efficient in numerous areas.

Automation 31 Oct 2018

Die Manufacturer Embraces IIoT to Move to Shorter-Run Production

As a punch and die supplier’s customers implemented leaner strategies, it needed to shift to shorter-run manufacturing. An ethernet communications system enabled machine CNCs to communicate with bar feeders to automatically switch part programs without operator intervention.