Manufacturing Engineering

DOE report highlights collaboration behind 3D-printed car

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) produced this video report to highlight some of the backstory behind building a 3D printed electric car in full view of everyone who attended IMTS 2014 in Chicago. The video notes that the collaboration among Local Motors, Cincinnati Inc., the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office helped spur the advancement of 3D printing technology.

Air Force Research Lab taking AM to new heights

3D printing, once only in the realm of science fiction, is gaining popularity. In this military video, Staff Sergeant Scott Johnson talks about how Air Force Research Laboratory scientists at Wright-Patterson AFB are using additive manufacturing to provide the military with better equipment.

Flow releases new whitepaper

Flow International Corp., Kent, Wash., a developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting applications, released an analysis on how ultrahigh-pressure pumps drive cutting efficiency through waterjet velocity.

MTConnect announces student challenge

College students with an interest in bringing together software and hardware solutions to improve manufacturing operations now have an opportunity to leverage their creativity through the MTConnect Student Challenge, a competition that invites submissions for both ideas and applications utilizing the MTConnect standard.

Veterans bring skills to Fives Machining

U.S. military veterans are finding post-service success at machine tool builder Fives Machining Systems, putting their troubleshooting skills and technical experience to work in field service and customer support positions. Since 2014, the company has hired nearly 20 former members of the various military branches at 10 field service locations throughout the U.S., as well as accepting veterans into its apprenticeship program.

3D printing cuts production costs in half

Stratasys Ltd., a leading global provider of additive manunfacturing (AM) solutions, this week reported that Italian Service Bureau, ZARE, has halved production costs for its direct manufacturing customers in automotive and aerospace since purchasing a fleet of Stratasys Fortus 3D Production Systems. In a July 22 news release issued by Stratasys, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and Rehovot, Israel, the AM company underscored ZARE's decision to use 3D printing for production parts.

IMCP recognizes 12 communities

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced 12 new communities that have received designations under the Obama Administration's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative. In May 2014, Secretary Pritzker announced the first 12 communities to receive the designation under this U.S. Commerce Department-led program, which is designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in communities nationwide by supporting the development of long-term economic development strategies.

Remembering the Alamo just got easier for manufacturing

The Alamo Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), led by the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), last week was among 12 groups to receive designation as a manufacturing community through a federal initiative designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in communities nationwide by supporting long-term economic development strategies.

College to address demand for machinists

Northshore Technical Community College, Hammond, Ind., offers a machinist training program that it hopes will offset the gap in manufacturing job openings and qualified people to fill them, according to the school. The 2-year program acts as an introduction to a machining career, with students getting an associate degree in applied science with a concentration in machine tool technology, said Bridget LaBorde, dean of the campus.

Nasmyth Group opens Calif. HQ

Engineering products and service provider Nasmyth Group announced the opening of its new regional North American headquarters this month. The Group has acquired a 25,000 sq. ft. facility in Burbank, Calif., adjacent to its subsidiary, Nasmyth TMF. The new facility will become the focal point for Nasmyth Group and its corporate activities in the U.S.