Browsing: Industry Spotlight

“Lean isn’t going to help you if your quality is bad. Why just make bad stuff faster?”

I hear this comment, or ones like it, more often than I’d like. It’s a misnomer that for whatever reason has caught on, even though it couldn’t be more wrong. Lean is a lot more than just “better, faster, cheaper.” The fact is that Lean and Quality are close cousins, and the relationship needs to be better understood throughout industry.

What is Augmented Reality in the Manufacturing Industry?
Wendy Mlynarek, Strategic Business Development Director at DELMIA takes a closer look at the many applications of augmented reality in the manufacturing sector, whilst also exploring some of the basics for the sector.

Digital Twin technology has quickly become a staple with many of the largest manufacturers in the automotive and industrial engineering sector around the world thanks to its ability to provide huge amounts of value in saving time and optimizing plant effectiveness. Whilst uptake in smaller manufacturing firms has been slower, those within the sector are slowly starting to
see the value that digital twin technology can bring, no matter the size of the business.

Shock and vibration problems are common hurdles engineers encounter when working to ensure the reliability of military equipment. Hutchinson Aerospace and Industry specializes in creating engineered products such as vibration isolation mounts to address these challenges, not only for military applications but for other key industries as well.

Robotics simulation can be defined as a digital tool used to engineer robotics- based automated production systems. Essentially, robot simulation employs a digital representation (or a digital twin) to enable dynamic interaction with robot models and machines in a virtual environment. Robot an automation simulation aims to bring automation systems online much faster and initiate production with fewer errors than conventional automation engineering.

Technology continues to revolutionize the manufacturing industry, bringing new levels of efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. The integration of automation, 3D printing, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain is transforming the way products are designed, produced, and shipped. Let’s explore each of these technological advancements and their impact on the manufacturing industry.

For manufacturers, obtaining quality certifications is essential to ensure that their products meet industry standards and customer requirements. Two of the most widely recognized certifications are AS9100 and ISO 9001. While both certifications focus on quality management systems, they have different requirements and are intended for different industries. In this article, we will explore the key differences between AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications and help you determine which one is right for your manufacturing business.

I was recently retaught a lesson that, ironically, I teach for a living. The consulting firm I work in covers not only Lean, but also consults and guides clients along with building and improving their Quality Management Systems. Often, we help clients see the parallels between these two topics, and how they each serve the similar purpose of reducing waste, reducing variation, and ultimately making it easier to deliver value to the customer. In this case, I was reminded of how important Visual Management tools are within reliable and repeatable processes.

When compared to belts made of other materials, metal conveyor belts offer multiple distinct advantages—including superior precision control, hygienic properties and customization options, among others. A producer of health and personal care products recently experienced these advantages firsthand in their printing process. They were disappointed with the inaccurate and inconsistent results from their traditional embossing and silicone printing processes and sought a steadier, more reliable and cost-effective solution. This led them to Belt Technologies.

If you’re actively practicing Lean, then you’ve probably also read other articles, blogs and claims about how 50%, 75% or even 90% of all Lean transformations fail. The authors of these diatribes will then go on about all the reasons behind such a high rate exists (disengaged management, too much lingo, yada yada yada…). If you’re really lucky, you’ll stumble across an article that a consultant wrote, in which case you’ll find that he/she will give you just enough insight into their unique solution to this issue to make you want to contact them to learn more about how they, and they alone, can save you from a most certain demise.