A close look at the performance of America’s top manufacturing companies reveals a surprising story of industrial growth. It also suggests an alarming future.

The premier technical conference of the gear industry, FTM, will take place September 24-28 in Chicago. The FTM is the top place to learn about the latest research in the gear industry from the researchers directly. Each year, the FTM provides outstanding opportunity to share ideas with others in the gear industry on design, analysis, manufacturing and application of gears, gear drives and related products, as well as associated processes and procedures.

IW’s exclusive ranking of America’s largest public manufacturing companies.

Too often, when people talk about smart manufacturing, they talk about technology. But that’s not the critical issue. Smart manufacturing is about the business, not technology. The critical issue for the business is profitability and, in serving that primary goal, to continuously improve or even transform operations so you can remain profitable over the long run.

Though it’s not nearly as photogenic, the next technology likely to reinvent and vastly improve manufacturing is blockchain. Besides being far more difficult to explain compared to our robotic friends, blockchain technology also suffers a bit from bad publicity. Blockchain has drawn a lot of attention recently for its use in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, which have a history of being popular with drug dealers and others up to no good.

The AGMA SRN will be in Detroit this October.  We have secured a great line-up of presentations on manufacturing, workforce, and emerging technology. Two highlights are presentations from AGMA members. Jamie Price, President of Ovako North America will provide a steel market report and John Bennett, VP and Chief Technology Officer of Meritor will discuss how Meritor is looking at drivetrain innovation – including electrification to continue to move their product line forward.

(VIDEO) The flying 'Dragon' drone shapeshifts in midair to fit through tiny spaces.

Continental Motors, a division of China-based AVIC International Holding Corp, will invest $75 million to construct an advanced manufacturing facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Alabama. The plans will produce piston and turbine engines for light aircraft, along with parts.

Though it’s not nearly as photogenic, the next technology likely to reinvent and vastly improve manufacturing is blockchain. Besides being far more difficult to explain compared to our robotic friends, blockchain technology also suffers a bit from bad publicity. Blockchain has drawn a lot of attention recently for its use in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, which have a history of being popular with drug dealers and others up to no good.

Provides an introduction and emphasize the differences between parallel (the experience base) axis and worm and crossed axis helical gears. Describe the basics of worm and crossed axis helical gears, their fundamental design principals, application guidelines and recommendations, lubrication requirement, a discussion of accuracy and quality and summarize with a brief review of common failure modes.

A new research project, let by GKN Aerospace and back by the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), is focusing on developing and demonstrating robotic and digital technologies required for the next generation of aircraft wing manufacturing.

Tier One metal 3D printing service provider Sintavia, one of the global leaders for independent metal AM or critical industries like aerospace and defense, automotive, and ground power generation, was launched in 2015, and is the first independent manufacturer of its kind to offer an end-to-end, vertically integrated metal AM production process.

Kalashnikov, the Russian arms maker, showcased this week their CV-1 electric car concept which will reportedly have a range of 217 miles on a single charge.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have found a way to use viruses to build gold nanobeads, which can then be used to purify water and could eventually help cut the cost and time required to produce electronic components.

We all wish we could foresee misfortune on the road ahead of us, allowing us the opportunity to avoid it. In many aspects of life, this ability remains firmly in the world of science fiction, but for those who work in helicopter maintenance, it’s fast becoming a reality. This is world of predictive maintenance, in which usage and condition monitoring data is used to predict potential issues before they happen. The rapid evolution of predictive maintenance is not only enabling measurable improvements in its effectiveness, but is democratizing its use among the global fleet, with even some smaller helicopters now able to benefit from it.

Google is racing to create the first quantum computer capable of solving a problem ordinary computers cannot – and it has just made that challenge much harder. 

Aircraft manufacturers, automotive OEMs and designers: When rapid production of small batches of complex parts is required, more and more companies are turning to 3D metal printing. However, there are ways for traditional foundries to make friends with the competing manufacturing method.

In about a decade, one-third of current jobs could be automated. This doesn’t have to be a doomsday prediction if your plant can figure out how this paradigm shift will enhance your current workers.

Volkswagen is launching an all-electric car-sharing service, starting with a 2,000-vehicle fleet in Berlin by the end of 2020. The We Share brand will start with 1,500 e-Golf vehicles by the middle of 2019 and add 500 e-up! Compact in 2020.