The Huffington PostLast week's unemployment report was discouraging, but one month's data does not a trend make. The economy is much stronger than that, especially in manufacturing which entered 2014 on a roll. The latest preliminary ISM report was 57 for December 2013, a powerful indicator of growth. Manufacturing has expanded for seven consecutive months. The ISM readings for the second half of the year averaged 56.3 which is a most encouraging trend.
Visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-jasinowski/economic-growth_1_b_4610593.html to view the full article online.
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Manufacturing.netThe U.S. manufacturing sector is showing incremental improvement with only a few potential speed bumps in the near-term, according to the quarterly Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) MAPI Business Outlook. The December 2013 composite index improved to 67 from 66 in the September survey—the fourth straight quarterly advance and the highest level since the September 2011 reading of 67.
Visit http://www.manufacturing.net/news/2014/01/mapi-business-outlook-manufacturing-sector-continues-upswing to view the full article online.
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ShopfloorThe Federal Reserve Board said that manufacturing production increased 0.4 percent in December, extending the 0.6 percent gains experienced in both October and November. This was the fifth consecutive monthly gain in manufacturing output, with the sector recovering from weaknesses seen in the spring months. Year-to-date growth in the manufacturing sector has definitely improved from the 1.2 percent pace experienced in July to 2.6 percent in December.
Visit http://www.shopfloor.org/2014/01/manufacturing-production-increased-2-6-percent-in-2013/30565 to view the full article online.
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Novus LightThe UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced £60 million of new funding for the development of new high-tech aerospace technology at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. The government will provide £30 million in funding, which will be matched by industry. It is one of the ways government and industry are working together through the aerospace industrial strategy to give businesses the confidence to invest, creating more high-skilled, long-term jobs in the UK.
Visit http://www.novuslight.com/high-tech-aerospace-manufacturing-funded-in-the-uk_N2094.html to view the full article online.
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The AGMA Foundation offers $5,000 college scholarships for engineering students who have an interest in gear technology or gear research. Three scholarships were awarded in 2013 and the Foundation looks forward to awarding multiple scholarships again in 2014. Applications with transcripts and letters of recommendation are due by July 1. For scholarship guidelines and additional details, visit the scholarship page on the Foundation's website.
Please alert employees, interns, and exchange students who are pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. A printable brochure that you can post on your web site and help promote in social media is available here.
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Tech TimesResearchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are working on ways to make robots smarter, and it appears they have come up with a most intriguing way of doing so. The researchers have created arm sensors that are capable of reading a person's muscle movements. The sensors send information to the robot, which allows it to anticipate movements of a human and correct its own movement. This system is aimed at improving safety and efficiency in manufacturing plants.
Visit http://www.techtimes.com/articles/2773/20140117/human-muscle-sensors-will-make-robots-in-manufacturing-plants-safer.htm to view the full article online.
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Oilprice.comWhile China, Russia and Argentina have topped the list of potential venues for the next shale boom, a new analytical report says all eyes should be on Australia as the most attractive venue for shale and tight oil and gas. While huge reserves elsewhere have massive potential, Australia and the infrastructure and experience to make drilling in shale plays more attractive and easier to recoup costs, according to analysis released earlier this week by Lux Research.
Visit http://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/This-Week-in-Energy-Analysts-Pick-Australia-for-Next-Shale-Boom.html to view the full article online.
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Industry WeekMining giant unveiled fresh production and shipment records for its flagship iron ore business Thursday, with both up 5% on-year in 2013. Anglo-Australian Rio said iron ore shipments were up 6% quarter-on-quarter in the final three months of 2013 and production was 3% higher, boosting annual readings for both by 5% compared with 2012.
Visit http://www.industryweek.com/supply-chain/rio-tinto-hits-iron-ore-output-shipment-records to view the full article online.
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