2023 January

Automation Shines at First Solar

A highly automated manufacturing process helps first solar compete with cheap imports.

January 8, 2023

Every day in more than 45 countries, photovoltaic modules designed and manufactured by First Solar go to work converting sunlight into clean, reliable electricity. First Solar is the only American company ranked among the world’s top 10 solar manufacturers. The company’s headquarters is in Tempe, AZ, but its roots are in Ohio, where it operates the largest solar manufacturing footprint in the Western Hemisphere. More than half of First Solar’s 2,700 U.S. employees are located in Ohio.

What's New With Harness Testing Technology

Austin Weber

January 26, 2023

A large automotive electrical harness can contain hundreds of wires, dozens of connectors and several electronic components, such as relays and diodes.

Exosuits Ease Back Strain

Matthew Marino

January 24, 2023

A few years ago, I worked with a warehouse stocker named John who had injured his back and was looking to get back to full duty. His job was important to him because he had a family to support, which included taking care of an adult son with special needs.

New Laser Technology Enables Welding of Thick Parts

John Sprovieri

January 5, 2023

Acommon process for welding thick metal parts is submerged arc welding (SAW). Typically, SAW and other processes require beveling the workpieces to give the torch access to the joint root. The multi-pass process requires high heat input to the weldment and can generate a large heat affected zone (HAZ) along with distortion.

Silicone Adhesives for Medical Device Assembly

Consider these factors when choosing a silicone adhesive for medical device assembly.

James Darlucio

January 10, 2023

The innovative medical devices that improve patients’ quality of life require robust materials that meet specific manufacturing and end-use demands. Many medical devices for use in or on the body are assembled from multiple components that need secure and reliable seals. That makes it critical for medical device manufacturers to make the right choice when selecting an adhesive.

Servo Presses Improve Assembly of Diesel Engines

Chinese engine manufacturer relies on energy-efficient presses to assemble fuel-efficient engines.

John Sprovieri

January 13, 2023

Exhaust from diesel engines is a major source of air pollution. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants from diesel exhaust are known to impair human health, causing cancer, heart and lung damage, and impaired mental functioning.

Robots Assemble Pressure Sensors

High-speed system produces 4 million pressure sensors annually.

John Sprovieri

January 16, 2023

Today, every car tire is equipped with a wireless pressure sensor that warns drivers of dangerously low pressure levels. Given that there are more than 1.5 billion motor vehicles worldwide, that equates to at least 6 billion pressure sensors.

AI Keeps Assembly Conveyor Rolling

Martina Špittová

January 17, 2023

The assembly line in Hall M13 at the ŠKODA plant in Mladá Boleslav is one of the Czech carmaker’s busiest. The best-selling ŠKODA Octavia is assembled here, as is the ŠKODA Enyaq iV electric SUV. Every minute of downtime on this line means losses in the form of unproduced cars.

Connecting People and Processes to Drive Productivity

Lion Moeliono

January 19, 2023

Companies achieve manufacturing excellence when people have the tools they need to produce high-quality work. On the shop floor, this comes about through the marriage of workers and machinery and the refining of processes through constant care and iteration.

New Technology for Motion Control

Jennifer Pierce

January 23, 2023

For a product to be assembled successfully, it’s essential to move the right parts, to the right place, in the right orientation, at the right time. Motion control technology makes that happen. Here’s a sampling of the latest technology.

China Overtakes US in Robot Density

John Sprovieri

January 30, 2023

During the past few years, U.S. manufacturers have massively increased their investment in robots.

How to Adapt to Changes in Production Volume

Jon Quigley

January 30, 2023

Organizations often have more than one manufacturing site, and each location might have its own specific strengths.

Penn Program Promotes Scaled-Down Autonomous Vehicle Racing

Austin Weber

January 25, 2023

For more than 120 years, racing has been used to improve the performance and safety of automobiles. Along the way, numerous innovations developed for use on the race track have trickled down to road cars. That tradition continues today, as engineers push the boundaries of autonomous systems technology.

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are the fastest-growing segment of the factory automation world. In this webinar, application experts at market leader Universal Robots have assembled a set of guidelines and checklists to help companies large and small identify promising applications, and get started with collaborative robots.

Sponsored by:

Are you worried about attracting and retaining the right employees? Struggling with a desire to balance improving environmental and social challenges with your bottom line? This is a must-see presentation for industry leaders seeking to reimagine the stagnant status quo while improving productivity.

Sponsored by: