IT for Manufacturing Executives
Congress Pressures Obama To Take Tough Stance On China
September 24, 2010 4:27 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is pressuring the Obama administration to take a tougher stand with China over trade practices that they say have cost Americans millions of jobs. Both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee told Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday that China is manipulating its currency.
GM: Volt Can Travel Up To 50 Miles On Batteries
September 24, 2010 4:26 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — General Motors on Thursday altered the expected range that its Chevrolet Volt electric car can travel on battery power alone. The automaker now says the Volt can go 25 to 50 miles on battery power, compared with the 40 miles it had previously said it would travel. The distance will depend on temperature, terrain, driving technique and the age of the lithium-ion batteries.
Most Durable Goods Orders See Rise
September 24, 2010 4:25 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods fell by the largest amount in a year. But excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders posted their best showing in five months. The Commerce Department says that orders for durable goods dropped 1.3 percent last month, reflecting a huge drop in aircraft demand.
Harley-Davidson And The Union Debate
September 23, 2010 12:42 pm | by Joel Hans, Associate Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsWhat I’m wondering about is to what extent companies should be loyal to the workers who brought them to success and sustainability as a company. Being from Wisconsin, I hear, in many ways, the rumble of Harley-Davison. Whether it’s the motorcycles themselves, or the manufacturing plants in which they are built, it’s hard for a cheesehead to get too far away from the venerable hog.
The Need For Powerful Machining
September 23, 2010 12:36 pm | Articles | CommentsWith the large workpieces, high material removal rates, and challenging geometries inherent in aerospace metals manufacturing, coupled with substrates that are often difficult to machine, such as titanium, there is always a need for powerful machining with superior accuracy. A 120-position tool carriage By using a Zimmermann FZ42 portal milling center, Volvo gets the power and torque needed to cut engine fan cases plus the accuracy to turn the machine tool into a coordinate measuring machine for inspection of finished parts.
Boeing Soars Into Private Space Industry
September 23, 2010 11:05 am | Videos | CommentsBoeing has decided to throw its multi-billion and international hat into the private space travel market with a number of R&D efforts. While experts say Boeing's private space travel market efforts could be available come 2015, we know that actually means more like 2018 or 2019. Remember the 787? If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
You Won't Miss A Beat
September 23, 2010 6:30 am | Product Releases | CommentsASCO Numatics (Novi, MI) has introduced a line of proportional valves that can be fully tuned to an application without being removed from the production process. The Numatics Sentronic line is designed for a wide range of industrial applications. Examples include ET blow molding, laser cutting, and welding, among others.
Chrysler Suspends Workers Caught Boozing On The Job
September 23, 2010 4:47 am | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Chrysler said it has suspended some plant workers caught by a Detroit television station drinking alcohol and smoking what appeared to be marijuana during breaks. Chrysler manufacturing chief Scott Garberding told WJBK-TV in a report that aired Wednesday night that the automaker identified some of the workers from Detroit's Jefferson North plant on tape and was pursuing the others.
Cisco Buys CMS Provider ExtendMedia
September 23, 2010 4:45 am | News | CommentsSAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco today announced it has completed its acquisition of privately-held ExtendMedia, a leading provider of software-based Content Management Systems (CMS) that manage the entire lifecycle of video content through monetization for pay media and ad-supported business models. Based in Newton, Mass.
Verizon: iPhone Not Coming To Network Soon
September 23, 2010 4:42 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Comments from Verizon Communications Inc. CEO Ivan Seidenberg leave little room for the possibility of a Verizon version of the iPhone in the near future. Speaking to an investor conference Thursday, Seidenberg said nothing about an iPhone for the company's current network, but said he hopes Apple Inc.
Dell CEO Flashes Android Tablet
September 23, 2010 4:41 am | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Dell is working on a 7-inch (18-centimeter) tablet that runs Google's Inc.'s Android operating software. Not much else is publicly known about the computer. Dell Inc. CEO Michael Dell flashed it briefly Wednesday at Oracle's annual conference in San Francisco, but offered no hard details.
The House Of The Future?
September 22, 2010 10:35 am | Videos | CommentsVirginia Tech students used cutting-edge solar technology to construct and power a 800-square-foot house. The "Lumen House" gets all of its energy from the sun, is completely automated, and has insulation panels that adjust to the changing weather outside. Furthermore, the house's automated processes can be overriden by using an iPhone or iPad.
The Electric Car Revival
September 22, 2010 10:17 am | Videos | CommentsElectric vehicles appear to be the wave of the future -- the very near future. After the electric vehicle industry suffered a premature demise around the turn of the millenium due to subpar charging methods, more efficient charging methods were developed so as to make electric vehicles a viable automobile alternative.
How Durable Is An RFID Tag?
September 22, 2010 10:14 am | Videos | CommentsJust how durable is an RFID tag? You're about to find out. RFID tags featured in this video are designed for harsh environments such as the oil and gas industry, so the RFID Network team tests their durability by welding one to a metal plate, smashing one with a sledgehammer, among other extreme tests.
One Tech Device's Unintended Application
September 22, 2010 10:09 am | Videos | CommentsThe prolific popularity of hand-held tech devices has allowed deaf people the opportunity to communicate with others much more easily through text messaging. This is a prime example of how technological advancements often are created with a certain application in mind, but often have other, less obvious, applications as well.
