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manufacturing

How manufacturing leaders can thrive when entering new markets

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By Shinichiro Nakamura, president of one to ONE Holdings

Global expansion accounts for more than half of all corporate growth in the past decade. So, it’s no surprise that manufacturers continue to penetrate new markets.

This wider globalization trend is largely driven by the rise of emerging markets, sustainability efforts, and localizing production based on resources.

However, entering new markets is easier said than done, particularly when facing hurdles such as regulations, tariffs, talent shortages, different cultures, and limited technology. [Read more…] about How manufacturing leaders can thrive when entering new markets

Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

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Apple wasn’t always the 3.75 trillion-dollar company it is today. The company was close to bankruptcy in 1997, before Steve Jobs returned to launch newly designed and eye-catching products – like the first multi-coloured iMac range, the iPod and then the iPhone – and put the company on the journey to become the modern corporate phenomenon that it is today.

In today’s globalised economy, Apple could now be said to be the quintessential example of a company that designs its products in the United States while manufacturing them in China and across Asia.

Apple is not, of course, unique in this approach. Many other companies have been doing this for a long time. Such companies used to be called “multinationals” before the internet made the term almost redundant.

[Read more…] about Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

Artificial Intelligence Propels Metal Manufacturing Forward

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The earlier decade marked the introduction of Industry 4.0 with digitalization.

Now, that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves in all industries, its impact can be felt in metal manufacturing, particularly metal parts machining and precision fabrication.

With AI algorithms, machines, and tools have gotten smarter, quicker, and more efficient. Automation technology has advanced, and access to information has become easier than ever.

[Read more…] about Artificial Intelligence Propels Metal Manufacturing Forward

RealMan Robotics showcases ‘ultra-lightweight humanoid’ robotic arms

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RealMan Robotics, a company specializing in the development, production and sales of “ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms”, has unveiled its latest robotic arms, joint model and embodied intelligence platforms at Advanced Manufacturing Madrid 2024 in Spain.

At this year’s event, RealMan showcased its ultra-lightweight humanoid robotic arms, including the ECO series, RM series robotic arms, WHJ series joint modules, RealEye Vision Sensing Platform, Embodied Intelligence Dual-Arm Development Platform, Embodied Dual-Arm elevation Platform, as well as AI physiotherapy Robot, among other technologies.

The ECO65, which is suitable for industrial applications, is the most advanced robotic arm in the world, and is designed to be used in a variety of applications. [Read more…] about RealMan Robotics showcases ‘ultra-lightweight humanoid’ robotic arms

Continuum Powders opens new Houston facility

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Continuum Powders, a provider of high-performance, sustainable metal powders for advanced manufacturing, has officially opened its new global headquarters and environmentally friendly manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas.

The new location, North America’s largest sustainable metal powder production site, will host a special event on December 5, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to witness its revolutionary advancements in low-carbon production methods firsthand.

The completion of the Houston facility is a significant milestone for Continuum Powders and reflects the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility, with the entire building operating as a green manufacturing center. [Read more…] about Continuum Powders opens new Houston facility

Global semiconductor manufacturing industry sees ‘strong growth’

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The global semiconductor manufacturing industry in the third quarter of 2024 showed “strong” momentum with all key industry indicators performing positive quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increases for the first time in two years.

The findings are reported in SEMI’s Q3 2024 publication of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Monitor (SMM) Report, prepared in partnership with TechInsights.

The growth is fueled by seasonal factors and strong demand from investments in AI data centers, however, the consumer, automotive, and industrial segments are experiencing a slower pace of recovery. The growth trend is expected to continue into the fourth quarter of 2024. [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing industry sees ‘strong growth’

C-Hawk Technology launches robotic plastic welding platform for semiconductor equipment manufacturing

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C-Hawk Technology, a maker of manufacturing of components, assemblies and processes for the semiconductor and healthcare industries, has unveiled its new patent-pending “Roberto” platform.

The company describes the platform as “an integrated robotics system that automates plastic welding and sets new benchmarks for quality, precision, scalability and safety in manufacturing for plastic welded assemblies and subassemblies”.

Early performance data shows that Roberto outperforms manual welding with a 25 percent increase in production speed and product consistency, a 30 percent improvement in output efficiency and a 50 percent decrease in error rates. [Read more…] about C-Hawk Technology launches robotic plastic welding platform for semiconductor equipment manufacturing

Caracol unveils large-format robotic 3D printer

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Caracol, a developer of large-format metal additive manufacturing systems, is introducing Vipra AM, which it describes as “a revolutionary technology that transforms how large-scale metal parts are produced”.

The company says its new robotic platform will be unveiled at Formnext (booth C101, Hall 12.1), and “stands out as a powerful tool designed to meet these and more of their evolving needs”.

Vipra AM is a robotic large scale direct energy deposition platform that leverages wire arc additive manufacturing processes, seamlessly developed into a hardware, software, and automation proprietary turnkey system. [Read more…] about Caracol unveils large-format robotic 3D printer

Alabama family business builds lights-out manufacturing process based on Hermle equipment

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After spending most of their younger years in their father’s machine shop, two brothers have applied their knowledge to their own enterprise, Smith & Co, and have built a multimillion-dollar, advanced, lights-out CNC facility in Birmingham, Alabama

Robert and Dell Smith started in the manufacturing industry as kids, working with their father at his part-time machine shop in Tuscaloosa – about 50 miles from their current Birmingham, Alabama location.

In the late 1980s, Robert helped take the business to full-time operations, where they first experienced 5-axis and mill turn technology, primarily for the automotive and defense industries.

The Smiths recognized the need for standard operations – whether tooling, controls or systematic procedures – which led to an exponential growth of over 100 team members. In 2015, they sold the company but continued to work for six more years.

[Read more…] about Alabama family business builds lights-out manufacturing process based on Hermle equipment

Driving Efficiency in Manufacturing with Intelligent Automation: Beyond Robotics

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If you want to stay competitive in today’s manufacturing landscape, you’ll need more than just manpower and machines.

Intelligent automation (IA) has become the force behind efficiency, plus it gives manufacturers the chance to optimize their operations beyond traditional robotics.

When you integrate advanced technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and more, you’re able to automate processes, predict machine failures, and make decisions based on up-to-date data. [Read more…] about Driving Efficiency in Manufacturing with Intelligent Automation: Beyond Robotics