IT for Manufacturing Executives
Orders to U.S. Factories Fall 0.5 Percent
October 5, 2010 4:32 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Orders to U.S. factories fell in August, reflecting a big drop in demand for commercial aircraft. But outside of the volatile transportation sector, orders rose for the first time since March. Factory orders fell 0.5 percent in August, the third drop in the past four months, the Commerce Department said Monday.
Raytheon Acquires Technology Associates
October 5, 2010 4:30 am | News | CommentsWALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — Raytheon has acquired Technology Associates Inc., a provider of computer engineering for the U.S. intelligence community, the defense contractor said Monday. Raytheon wants to expand its cybersecurity business and the privately held company, which has 110 employees, will become part of its intelligence and information systems business.
Call It A Comeback For Manufacturing?
October 4, 2010 10:33 am | Videos | CommentsCan we call it a comeback for manufacturing? Well...sort of. The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that its manufacturing index read 54.4 in September, down from 56.3 in August. A reading above 50 indicates growth. However, the growth has been slow. Furthermore, there are slower gains in new orders — a gauge of future business — and shrinking company backlogs .
Dead Wood Rising
October 4, 2010 10:18 am | by David Mantey, Editor, PD&D | Articles | CommentsAh, the sweet changes the recession has brought to this nation. With all the restructuring, fat-trimming, productivity increasing, and headcount changing, it’s hard to believe that anyone was ever fired or laid off . "This economy is lumpy.” The statement didn’t launch the event with the flash and bang that I had anticipated.
R&D: A Make-Or-Break Investment (Part II)
October 4, 2010 10:02 am | by Behnam Adib | Articles | Comments.style1 {font-style: italic}
Pick And Place With Ease
October 4, 2010 6:08 am | Product Releases | CommentsBosch Rexroth (Hoffman States, IL) now offers the new MSC-EL with integrated electrical drive, designed for small pick-and-place applications. According to the company, it is available initially in two sizes, the MSC-EL-12 and MSC-EL-16. CamoLINE connectivity resulting from the Easy-2-Combine interface provides for quick connection without the need for auxiliary adapter plates and extensive adjustment.
GE Invests $60M In Ohio Manufacturing Plant
October 4, 2010 4:18 am | News | CommentsCLEVELAND (AP) — GE Lighting has completed a key stage in its expansion of a manufacturing plant in Bucyrus, Ohio. The company hosted an opening celebration Friday to recognize its more than $60 million investment in the facility, which will manufacture energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs.
Manufacturing Activity Expands For 14th Straight Month
October 4, 2010 4:15 am | by Tali Arbel, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Manufacturing activity expanded in September for the 14th straight month, although at the slowest pace since November. The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that its manufacturing index read 54.4 in September, down from 56.3 in August. A reading above 50 indicates growth.
Microsoft Sues Motorola For Patent Infringement
October 4, 2010 4:14 am | News | CommentsREDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Microsoft Corp. is suing Motorola Inc. for infringing on its smart-phone patents. The software maker on Friday said Motorola phones that use Google Inc.'s Android software step on Microsoft technology. The functions in question include synchronizing e-mail, calendars and contacts.
New HP CEO: Software Will Be A Priority
October 4, 2010 4:10 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Hewlett-Packard Co.'s new CEO signaled Friday that expanding the company's software business will be a top priority. HP announced the hiring of Leo Apotheker, the former head of business software maker SAP AG, late Thursday. On a conference call Friday morning, Apotheker called software the "glue" that holds together the different parts of the company.
U.S. Tech Industry Wary About Halt Of Chinese Materials
October 4, 2010 4:08 am | by Tomoko A. Hosaka, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — China's recent halt of exotic metal shipments to Japan amid a diplomatic spat has reverberated throughout the world's high-tech manufacturing hubs — now on heightened alert to the risks of relying on one country for materials that do everything from helping hybrid engines run to creating the color red in televisions.
Apple May Overtake Exxon As World's Most Valuable Company
October 4, 2010 4:05 am | by David K. Randall, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Here's something to think about the next time you pick up a call on your iPhone: the device you're holding may soon be the signature product of the most valuable company in the world. Thanks to its line of gadgets that combine the ability to make calls, send email, read books, watch movies and listen to music, Apple Inc.
Honesty Is The Best Policy
October 1, 2010 10:38 am | by Joel Delman, Design Director, Product Development Technologies | Articles | CommentsFaux is out. Consumers coming out of the recession are looking for honesty and simplicity in new products. Although it seems that the worst of the recession may be behind us, there is still a lot of uncertainty among U.S. consumers. Unemployment remains high, and retail sales see no steady sign of rebound.
Wireless Sensor Network Progress
October 1, 2010 9:04 am | by Dr. Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx Ltd | Articles | CommentsMeeting in the middle: Wireless sensor networks must reduce power requirements, while energy harvesting technology continues to improve. ng>Meeting in the middle: Wireless sensor networks must reduce power requirements, while energy harvesting technology continues to improve. by Dr. Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx Ltd .
BlackBerry PlayBook Vs. iPad
October 1, 2010 8:29 am | Videos | CommentsSo...is Research In Motion's new BlackBerry tablet basically an iPad with a different brand name stamped on it? No, not even close. Techland gadget guru/humorist Doug Aamoth breaks down the differences between Apple's iPad and the BlackBerry PlayBook, as well as what we still want/need to know about RIM's initial tablet offering.
