The “digitization” of nearly every process to make products continues. The latest industry to experience this shift is molding. Here’s a look at how digitization may affect traditional molding service providers. Pierre Viaud-Murat | Senior Vice President of Sales Digital manufacturing offers many benefits across multiple touch points: it can reduce time to market, labor […]
Instron’s Calibration Laboratory goes global
As of September 2018, Instron’s Calibration Laboratory in Norwood, MA USA (NVLAP Lab Code 200301-0) expanded its global reach to include Europe into its existing operations. This addition enables Instron to provide accredited calibration services to its customers in North America, Europe and Asia under a single National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) accreditation. Instron’s…
Imagining a better space lander through generative design
As newer technologies–like additive manufacturing and generative design—converge, engineers are tackling design challenges they couldn’t address, let along build, previously. Leslie Langnau, Managing Editor NASA has spent decades exploring Mars through various mobile vehicles. So far, there has been scant signs of life on that planet. Now, the plan is to examine other planets for […]
Beyond math and science, engineers also need people skills
Luisa Chinchilla Mechanical Engineer Forging Design Engineering Lead Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products Luisa Chinchilla studied mechanical engineering at Ohio Northern University and graduated in 2010. From there, she went to work for what was then Alcoa in the forging design department for the wheels division. This division makes aluminum truck wheels for semi trucks…
Society needs all types of engineers
Emma Pierson Graduate assistant, Mechanical Engineering Dept University of Akron Emma Pierson began her journey into engineering through nursing. She spent two years in the nursing program at Akron, but felt unchallenged by the classes. “I felt like the classes weren’t necessarily making me work like I thought that college should. I didn’t want to…
Dept. of Labor approves Additive Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship
America Makes and the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI), in partnership with Tooling U-SME, the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers, and AST2, announce that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (OA) has officially approved their first-ever, industry-vetted Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technician Registered Apprenticeship. “The approval of the AM Technician Registered Apprenticeship by […]
MOSAIC modular safety integrated controller system
A new system of safety monitoring and control devices has been added to the AutomationDirect line of safety-related products. The ReeR MOSAIC safety controller system is modular, expandable and configurable for managing all safety functions of a single machine or an entire plant. As a stand-alone controller, the M1 master MOSAIC module has 8 inputs,…
Air Liquide and Additive Industries launch partnership for industrial 3D printing
During FormNext, Air Liquide and Additive Industries announced they plan to intensify their long term relationship and enter into a professional partnership. Air Liquide is adding their solutions for supply and storage of shielding gasses to the proposition of Additive Industries in the field of industrial additive manufacturing. A dedicated infrastructure blueprint for the MetalFAB1 […]
Leviton to unveil INFORM technology platform at the Rockwell Automation Fair Trade Show
Leviton announced that the company will unveil its new INFORM intelligent platform – a set of technologies integrated into Leviton electrical wiring devices to improve operational intelligence, efficiency, safety, and the integrity of an electrical distribution system –at the Rockwell Automation Fair trade show in Philadelphia on Nov. 14 and 15. The INFORM intelligent platform…
Callaway Golf builds a better golf putter head with additive manufacturing
GE Additive is working as a consultant with Callaway Golf Company, a leading manufacturer of high-performance golf equipment. GE Additive’s AddWorks team will help Gallaway harness the potential of additive manufacturing. The first project resulting is a redesigned Odyssey R-Ball Prototype putter head. Odyssey is Callaway Golf’s putter brand and the #1 Putter in Golf. […]
DA10D and DA30D protocol conversion and Data Acquisition Devices
Red Lion Controls, the global experts in communication, monitoring and control for industrial automation and networking, announced the release of the DA10D and DA30D Protocol Conversion and Data Acquisition devices today. Unlike other gateways or protocol converters that rely on complicated scripting or additional server hardware to connect to enterprise systems, the DA10D and DA30D…
C80 Series CNC-dedicated CPU maximizes performance
Users of the Mitsubishi Electric Automation MELSEC iQ-R automation platform can now achieve even greater productivity and lower cycle times with the introduction of the C80 Series CNC. The rack-based C80 features a CNC-dedicated CPU designed to maximize the control’s performance. Industry-leading CNC functions and drive units deliver high-speed, highly accurate machining, while a high-speed…
iQ Monozukuri Andon provides simple, cost-effective visualization of production sites
Mitsubishi Electric Automation is making it easy for small- to medium-sized factories to realize the benefits of an Andon system, with the introduction of iQ Monozukuri Andon. The simple, cost-effective Andon package facilitates visualization of production sites using Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT2000 graphic operation terminal and a web browser. iQ Monozukuri Andon offers pre-engineered project data…
Integrated robotics improve machine performance in packaging
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. has released the third in a series of white papers to support packaging industry professionals. The paper titled, Integrated Robotics Improve Machine Performance, Demand Response and Competitiveness contends that integrated robotics in packaging machinery and production lines can result in significant productivity gains. Readers will learn how the use of integrated…
To engage more women, engineering should focus on how it helps others
Hazel Marie, Ph.D., P.E. Distinguished Professor & Chair Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Youngstown State University For many of today’s engineers, the moon landing of 1969 was the inspiration to study the sciences. Dr. Hazel Marie remembers Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon and it ignited her ambition to become an astronaut. When she realized astronauts…
Women in engineering — the road less travelled
Juliana Anzalone Mechanical Design Engineer America IV Juliana Anzalone’s journey into engineering began when she was a child, displaying an aptitude for taking things apart and putting them back together, along with strong math skills. But she didn’t meet an engineer until she was in college. “I heard about engineers when I was in middle…
Autodesk announces technology updates and new alliances
Autodesk announced several updates to its products. For Autodesk Fusion 360, the company is expanding the manufacturing constraints for generative design to include 2- and 2.5-axis machining. This expands who can use this feature because most CNC mills offer 2 and 2.5 axes. Working with Autodesk Netfabb and Fusion 360, designers can also use generative […]
XJet unveils new ceramic material and soluble support material
XJet Ltd. unveiled a new ceramic material, alumina, at formnext. Alumina was chosen because of its wide use as a technical ceramic and market demand to see parts produced with XJet NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) production. Offering very good electrical insulation, extremely high mechanical strength, high compressive strength and high hardness, it differs from zirconia in […]
The Perfactory P4K has a projector resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels
EnvisionTEC, a leading global manufacturer of desktop and full-production 3D printers and materials, announced that it will debut a DLP-based 3D printer using a true 4K projector with artificial intelligence–the Perfactory P4K. “The P4K is the highest resolution advanced DLP printer with the largest build envelope and deploys artificial intelligence in pixel modulation to deliver […]
How GE Additive plans to transform additive manufacturing
At formnext, GE Additive demonstrated its forthcoming digital workflow software and announced its intention to offer a suite of secure build preparation services to be commercially available at the RAPID + TCT show in May 2019. GE Additive’s software strategy centers on simplifying the additive process and enabling an interoperable workflow. Its vision is to […]
Polyethylene-based EVOLV3D Olefin Block Copolymer filament launched at formnext 2018
The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) introduced a new 3D printing build material in the EVOLV3D platform at formnext. EVOLV3D Olefin Block Copolymer (OBC) printing filament can be used to produce lightweight, durable parts. The material can also be remolded for longer life. As part of its 2025 Sustainability Goals, Dow is committed to valuing nature […]
Sabic showcases multiple additive materials at formnext
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, plans to further the evolution of additive manufacturing technology and promote application innovation. It will do so by leveraging its resin technologies and process capabilities to develop differentiated material solutions for various additive-manufacturing processes. At formnext SABIC is featuring its newest filaments for fused deposition modeling, including […]
BigRep unveils two industrial 3D printers with MXT Extrusion technology
BigRep, a global leader in large-scale 3D printing, unveiled a “significant breakthrough” in Thermoplastic Extrusion (Fused Filament Fabrication – FFF). BigRep’s new proprietary MXT will power its two new 3D printers and “set a new standard for and redefine additive manufacturing.” The BigRep PRO and EDGE are the company’s next-generation 3D printers, giving engineers and […]
Simulating the metal additive manufacturing process
Siemens announced an Additive Manufacturing (AM) Process Simulation solution for predicting distortion during 3D printing. The product is integrated into Siemens’ end-to-end Additive Manufacturing solution. Building on Siemens’ digital innovation platform and the Simcenter portfolio, the AM Process Simulation uses a digital twin to simulate the build process prior to printing, anticipating distortion within the […]
HP brings its technology to formnext
At formnext 2018, HP showcased HP Jet Fusion 3D printing applications across the transportation, industrial, medical, and consumer sectors, including PA-11 material applications. HP also announced a design-to-print workflow with Autodesk that will deliver generative design capabilities across the entire HP Multi Jet Fusion portfolio. The HP 3D high-reusability PA-11 material lets customers produce strong, […]