Category: Advanced Manufacturing

Computer-aided design changed the engineering realm just a few decades ago. The latest change to the tools available to engineers is the full integration of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) into CAD programs. Let’s take a look at the biggest benefits that a CAD/CAM integrated workspace brings us as engineers. One thing that CAD did when it first was implemented…

A look at how one mold manufacturer has embraced new manufacturing technology, unlocked the full potential of its workforce and become the dominant supplier in its field. Article by Clinton Perry, PowerMill Product Marketing Manager Today’s mold manufacturers are under pressure. Yep, it’s a shock revelation, right? Your end customers demand, even expect, to see…

Image Source The days of affordable rapid prototyping and instantaneous production are upon us, but how have they changed the manufacturing industry as a whole? Initial hype around the 3D printing industry had everyone believing that they would be able to print whatever they want in their own home. While this is true, it isn’t…

If you’ve ever taken shop class in high-school or watched an episode of how it’s made, you probably have some idea how lathes and other metalworking machines function. As technology and computers have improved over the years, a new high-precision computer controlled manufacturing technique called CNC machining has spawned. CNC machines, or computer numerically controlled…

When was the last time your 3D CAD tool “aided” your design? Sure, the software enabled you to document an already determined outcome, maybe validated an instance of a design for strength, or even allowed you to convert a 3D object into those wonderful 2D views, and of course they updated when the model changed.…

Image Source Additive manufacturing isn’t only limited to parts manufacturing, rather it is beginning to transform how electronics engineers manufacture circuits. When examining the realms of additive manufacturing within the constraints of electronics, there are 2 distinct production methods. There are 2inkjet-stylele printing techniques used to produce circuit boards. Typically, this method involves a printhead…

Design for manufacturability is a proactive process used to maximize the design of components for the intended manufacturing process. Let’s take a look at how we can use this process can be improved or eliminated with the use of additive techniques. Looking over the typical manufacturing processes of machining, casting, injection molding, and forming, we…

Image Source: Wikipedia The concept of a digital twin in manufacturing is one that has grown out of increasing connectivity. It’s a concept that allows manufacturers to monitor a product’s performance in real time using a digital model that responds identically to the real world product. As Industry 4.0 continues to drive forward the manufacturing…

Image Source: Wikimedia The global manufacturing industry is looking to the future now more than ever. Manufacturing specific technologies are advancing at a rapid rate bringing on Industry 4.0 making the time for innovation now. This idea of a connected manufacturing environment has been around for many years, but it seems that constant innovation in recent…

Image Source: Flickr The manufacturing skills gap is a very real problem facing the US manufacturing sector and industries abroad. Smart factories and robotics have become a key aspect of the fourth industrial revolution, set to bring about Industry 4.0, but humans are still and will continue to be a big part of the picture.…

Additive manufacturing has taken off in recent years, but two main barriers to entry still remain. Start up cost for purchasing machines is one major hurdle for smaller manufacturers, however, this hurdle is slowly coming down. The far more hindering barrier to additive adoption is that of speed. For most mass manufacturing applications, additive manufacturing…