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Automation For Information

There is a wealth of information already in the shop. Here is how to profit from it. (Sponsored Content)

Manufacturing Cells Can Eliminate Wastes

A manufacturing cell is an efficient grouping of all the resources required to manufacture a product. These resources, which usually include people, supplies, machines, tools and other production equipment, are arranged in close proximity to enhance communication and allow everyone to see what is going on at all times.

Incremental Automation Pays Dividends

While successful mold makers agree that automation is necessary to remain competitive, they often have different opinions about how to integrate automation. This mold maker does it in gradual phases, and in doing so, it drives shopfloor workers to roles of greater responsibility.

Is Robotic Automation Becoming Practical For Low-Volume Production?

High-volume manufacturing and robotic automation go hand in hand. Machine-tending robots used in these production schemes need not be very flexible, as they may just load and unload one type of part hundreds of thousands of times.

Software Helps Shop Automate Quality System

This company now enjoys benefits such as increased visibility and time savings and easier customer audits.

Redesigned Bar Feeder

Five-Axis Programmable Head

Lathe Toolholders For Turning Away

Think 'unattended machining,' and the image in your mind is probably complex - that is, some machining process that relies on automation more than the typical machining process does. But does going unattended have to involve this complexity? Instead of requiring automation, allowing the operator to step away from the machine tool might just be a matter of addressing the sources of worry that keep that operator engaged.

Lean Manufacturing Shapes A Cell

A machining cell that seeks to optimize product flow may look very different from a cell that seeks to optimize a machining process.

Just Enough Automation

Automated gantry loaders helped this shop make the transition from job shop to product line manufacturer.