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Best of plastics: Electrical and electronics
Don Rosato EngineeringManufacturers in the various electrical/electronic (E/E) sectors can choose from an enormous and versatile range of plastics to meet every requirement. Depending on the electronic component or device, designers choose plastics for their rigidity or flexibility, toughness/durability, resistance to low or high voltage and their electrical insulation or conductive qualities.
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Cash rewards for error reporting: A bargain at any price?
Tracy Szwec Science & TechnologyApple recently made a huge announcement — no, not that one today about the new iPhone. The tech giant revealed last month that it is now working with "hackers" or tech gurus who find flaws in the iOS security system and come forward. Essentially, Apple will reward those hackers monetarily when they provide information about security flaws.
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The path forward in automotive lightweighting applications
Don Rosato EngineeringEvery car model that is launched over the coming years is expected to include lightweighting measures. Innovative materials together with new production methods and reinforcing structures will play an important role in reducing vehicle weight. Lower vehicle weight not only improves fuel efficiency but also reduces the load on the brakes and suspension systems.
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US manufacturing gained in July, but future growth depends on new orders
Chelsea Adams ManufacturingManufacturing continues to expand, but a lack of business spending may be a cause for concern going forward, some economists say. Manufacturing expanded for the fifth month in a row in July, while the economy as a whole grew for the 86th consecutive month. That's according to the Institute for Supply Management's July 2016 Manufacturing Report on Business.
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Emerging automotive lightweighting materials and processes
Don Rosato EngineeringEvery car model that is launched over the coming years is expected to include lightweighting measures. Mazda, for example, has set a goal to reduce the curb weight of all its new model cars by 15 percent (up to 220 pounds per car), through material replacement and engineering, redesigning features and shrinking parts dimensions. The company also plans to improve its global corporate fuel-economy average by 30 percent.
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There’s something in the water
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingThe UK should know a thing or two about water. It is an island for a start and, therefore, many of its towns are built by the sea. It has plenty of rivers and lakes — and man-made canals for that matter — and then there is the rain. So it is not too surprising that the potential for harnessing these resources to drive heat pumps is something of real interest to the UK HVAC industry.
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How to win the battle against rust on your trucks
Alan Kelsky Distribution & WarehousingRust is a major concern for small business owners who depend on their trucks for their livelihood as well as fleet owners for whom trucks are a major investment. Trucks with corrosion damage can lead to lost income as well as high repair bills.
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Automotive lightweighting trends on the move
Don Rosato EngineeringAuto lightweighting goals are driven by changes in government regulations for fuel emissions, ongoing global warming concerns, fluctuating fuel prices, the development of electric vehicles and other fuel systems, and spiraling car weight increases caused by the continual addition of car features. This article, the first of a three-part series about automotive lightweighting, focuses on key plastic materials, process technologies, and applications to take note of.
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Is a refrigeration revolution in the air?
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingIt is not too often that the world of supermarket refrigeration has played host to major technological change. Apart from the debate over whether chiller cases should have doors on them, recent years have been more about evolution than revolution. But now, retailer Asda, part of the global giant Wal-Mart, has signaled what could be one of the most radical changes in modern retail refrigeration by opting to replace conventional display cases cooled by piped refrigerant with versions cooled by air from a central plant.
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To grow, American manufacturing needs better trained workers
Chelsea Adams ManufacturingU.S. manufacturing may be falling behind globally, but it's not simply because companies are shifting jobs overseas to save money. Jay Shambaugh, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, puts it bluntly: The United States isn't keeping up with other countries in training workers with skills needed in today's manufacturing marketplace.
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