Advanced Manufacturing Now

Gene Granata, Vericut product manager at CGTech, describes Vericut's new additive module. Set to be available publicly at the end of September, it can be used in a hybrid simulation along with subtractive technologies. With this and other technology, CGTech works with customers and tech partners to solve AM challenges, such as accurate laser cladding and material deposition, detecting collisions b...

At RAPID + TCT in Pittsburgh, Roger Kelesoglu, director of sales enablement at Stratasys, previews the company's new Continuous-Build 3D Demonstrator. (It's not yet clear when it will be commercially available.) It allows for continuous production of plastic parts--with a cloud-enabled software management control system that enables automation on the front end all the way through the manufacturing...

Duann Scott, head of business development and strategy for digital manufacturing at Autodesk, details the solutions his firm offers. He also weighs in on which manufacturing industry segments he believes will use AM the most heavily. Mr. Scott outlines the most compelling recent advances in the technology, and he addresses the barriers to more widespread industrial adoption.

Benjamin Fisk, general manager of 3D additive manufacturing for Methods Machine Tools Inc., discusses his company's 3D printing strategy. Fisk talks about the speed in which 3D printing is being adapted among manufacturers as well as his company's partnership with 3D Systems. He was interviewed by Senior Editor Bill Koenig during the RAPID + TCT show in Pittsburgh in May.

Tom O'Reilly, VP, Global Business Development at Rockwell Automation, details how his company's five-year plan to restructure its facility and supplier networks has led to a four- to five-percent annual improvement in productivity: "If you look at how we did/do it, here are some examples: inventory days dropped from 120 to 82. We reduced our CAPEX ... by 30 percent per year. Our delivery within ou...

SLM Solutions Software out of Austria is set to this year begin selling a new package to improve workflow in AM, SLM Solutions' Richard Grylls said At RAPID + TCT in Pittsburgh. "It will help to streamline the entire workflow--from the initial idea from the designer to geting it into the machine in one piece." He also talks about how OEMs can help a customer quality and certify metal parts. Grylls...

John Graham, senior product marketing manager for Ansys Spaceclaim, Ansys Inc., talks with Manufacturing Engineering Senior Editor Patrick Waurzyniak about how 3D modeling software can help manufacturers streamline designs and boost manufacturing productivity. With today's 3D modeling software, manufacturers are able to efficiently repair incomplete models, reverse engineer files, and incorporate...

Jeannine Kunz, vice president of Tooling U-SME, details how awareness of AM's capabilities is clearly on the rise:  Some big manufacturers are focusing on what AM means to their human capital, and AM is often being incorporated into existing roles. Kunz also discusses how Tooling U-SME can help customers increase their use of additive technologies while the world waits for standards.  Her division...

Randolph Bradley, Technical Fellow in Supply Chain Management at Boeing, explains the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution's reason for being, and Boeing's involvement with the industry-academia partnership. Among what is covered: energy use in the supply chain; demand forecasting using Bayes' Rule (also used to crack Germany's Enigma code during WWII), and insights gained from MHI'...

Joe Lampinen, Senior Director, Global Practice Consultant for Engineering, Business, & Professional Services at Kelly Services, explores how manufacturers today must meet the challenge of engaging younger workers just entering the profession. These workers have the expectation that they will change employers ten times or more during their careers. Employers must be able to upskill and engage all o...

What's up with AM machines this year? At the Aerodef conference, SLM Solutions' Winthrop Sheldon  takes on this and several other market-trend questions.  "You're seeing more multi-laser systems. You're seeing generally more open systems (in terms of parameter control and material use). And you're also seeing larger format systems. So there are quite a few new trends that I feel SLM was instrument...

Dimitrije Milovich, president and CEO of Radius Engineering Inc. (Salt Lake City), discusses the role small manufacturers play in aerospace. His company has fewer than 40 employees but has established a niche in aerospace. Milovich was at SME's AeroDef Manufacturing Show in Fort Worth, TX, where he received  the 2017 J.H. "Jud" Hall Composites Manufacturing Award. He spoke with Senior Editor Bill...

EnvisionTEC CEO Al Siblani explains why the SLCOM 1, a machine that does selective lamination composite object manufacturing and is in beta testing, is an important development in 3D printing: "There's absolutely no limitation in terms of geometry in terms of what kinds of composite parts you can build—unless it's a closed volume. Besides any closed volume, the SLCOM 1 allows you to additively man...

Zane Michael, director of thermal business development for Yaskawa America/Motoman Robotics Division, explains why the biggest challenge for welding manufacturers today is the shortage of welders. He notes that fabricators can apply robotic welding technology with a high degree of success by first using simple systems, and explains why human welders still play a major role in robotic welding by an...

At the Aerodef conference in Texas, Conrad Leiva, VP for product strategy and alliance at iBASEt and chair of the smart manufacturing working group at MESA, says companies should first evaluate their business model today to get ready for a smart manufacturing future. Next, they should look at their IT infrastructure. And don't forget to address digital handoffs between systems. "We're coming from...

For starters, NASA's HUNCH program brings projects, mentors, expertise and schools. SME's PRIME initiative brings mentors, equipment and a scholarship component. "It's kind of a big deal that those things mesh so well," says Blake Ratcliff, program manager of NASA HUNCH.

Sandra Rios, ‎Head of Product Management & Marketing, AXOOM GmbH, explores the development of the platform market for the Internet of Things, the company's vision for the IoT platform market, and its plans in North America.

At the Aerodef show in Texas, Mike Judge, executive vice president of Cincinnati-based 5ME, delivers the lowdown on cryogenic machining. He notes that 5ME can add cryogenic machining to machines in the field. (Installation takes 1-3 days.)

Bob Yancey, vice president of additive manufacturing at Altair Engineering, also discusses the importance of an upfront design process and advances in manufacturing simulation

The co-author of "The Smartest Places on Earth: Why Rustbelts Are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation" discusses not only all he discovered in writing the book but also what he has learned since it was published. Example of the latter: "The movement from a focus on cheap to a focus on smart is ... a real competitive advantage, but it's not permanent. I discovered that China now very well un...

Steve Immel, head of Americas Business Development for Materialise, explains why a traditional manufacturing company may want to get into additive manufacturing, the main considerations for manufacturers looking to add capabilities in additive manufacturing, and explores the "triangle of materials, hardware and software."

Dr. Jeffery Ahrstrom, President and COO of BLM Group USA, explores how a tube laser system can help manufacturers replace the physical processes of punching, sawing and milling with lasing in order to reduce work-in-progress, improve upon existing manufacturing processes, and create new ones.

John Thompson, National Technical Sales Manager for PFERD Inc., offers his predictions on the future of metal finishing, examines new solutions that can help improve productivity and reduce risk in hand-held applications, and discusses how systems are changing to adapt to the growing use of composite materials.

Diego Tamburini, Senior Design and Manufacturing Industry Strategist for Autodesk, explores the main forces shaping the future of the fabricating industry; key strategies manufacturers can use to remain competitive; promising technologies Autodesk is currently developing; and the opportunity of the IoT for manufacturers.

Bonnie Martens, Marketing Communications Manager for Dimplex Thermal Solutions, examines key trends in process cooling; how chillers can be designed for energy efficiency; solutions that increase system uptime; and how the Internet of Things is changing how chillers operate.