Bob Vavra, content manager, Plant Engineering. Courtesy: CFE Media

Bob Vavra

Articles

Industry News June 3, 2019

PMI slips again as tariffs have an impact

Manufacturing index stays in growth range, but slides to a 17-month low of 52.1%.

By Bob Vavra
IIoT, Industrie 4.0 May 17, 2019

Mitsubishi Electric acquires Iconics to advance IIoT offerings

Manufacturing, building automation products strengthened by deal, company officials say.

By Bob Vavra
Data Acquisition, DAQ May 7, 2019

Apple, SAP to expand enterprise partnership

CEOs Tim Cook, Bill McDermott discuss move to Mac functionality, data security.

By Bob Vavra
Industry News May 1, 2019

PMI stumbles to 2 ½-year low as border concerns emerge

On 10th anniversary of manufacturing rebound, the purchasing manufacturers' index (PMI) falls to 52.8%.

By Bob Vavra
Automation April 15, 2019

Taking control of controls

Ford’s 10-year operational evolution started with network standards.

By Bob Vavra
IIoT, Industrie 4.0 April 3, 2019

Hannover Messe 2019, Day 2: New partnerships, new Partner Country

Open Industry 4.0 alliance formed, Indonesia named Partner Country for 2020, TSN testbed released

By Bob Vavra
Automation April 1, 2019

Hannover Messe 2019, Day 1: Innovation challenged by human concerns

Supply chain leaders won’t link with digitalization; AI has human workers nervous.

By Bob Vavra
IIoT, Industrie 4.0 March 25, 2019

Hannover Fairs USA will launch Digital Industry conference in September

CFE Media to present GAMS event at event’s executive conference.

By Bob Vavra
Educational Facilities March 4, 2019

Kareem’s STEM camp auction raises almost $3 million

Abdul-Jabbar to help fund his Camp Skyhook with proceeds from sale.

By Bob Vavra
Industry News March 1, 2019

PMI slips in February, but fundamentals remain solid

Trade wars, supply issues among the concerns, but index firmly in growth mode.

By Bob Vavra
Educational Facilities March 1, 2019

Kareem’s STEM camp auction a slam-dunk

Abdul-Jabbar selling basketball career items to fund his children’s camp.

By Bob Vavra
AI and Machine Learning March 1, 2019

Hannover Messe focuses on AI, machine learning

Hannover Messe 2019 will focus on how artificial intelligence and machine learning impact manufacturing.

By Bob Vavra
Data Acquisition, DAQ February 5, 2019

‘Data is the currency of the future’

Embrace digital manufacturing and use data to provide customer value.

By Bob Vavra
Research February 1, 2019

PMI rebounds as manufacturing’s fundamentals remain solid

Index increases to 56.6% as new orders, production levels point to a positive start to 2019

By Bob Vavra
Industry News January 3, 2019

PMI plunges in December over manufacturing slowdown concerns

Index drops almost 10% to 2-year low as production, new orders slump.

By Bob Vavra
Analytics December 20, 2018

Global low-voltage motor market bounces back

Oil & gas revenue increases lead 4% sector growth according to a report from IHS Markit.

By Bob Vavra
IIoT, Industrie 4.0 December 18, 2018

IIC, OpenFog groups to collaborate

Combined organization to focus on cloud computing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) research.

By Bob Vavra
Workforce Development December 17, 2018

Study finds Skills Gap worsening, impacting production and growth

Report from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute points to digital skills needed for the future.

By Bob Vavra
Industry News December 17, 2018

ABB to realign around digital industries

Four divisions focus on robotics, electrification, industrial automation, and motion.

By Bob Vavra
IIoT, Industrie 4.0 December 11, 2018

Hannover Fairs USA launches new trade event

Digital Industry USA (DIG/IN USA) will highlight digital manufacturing Sept. 10-12 in Louisville.

By Bob Vavra
Events and Awards December 11, 2018

System Integrator Giants 2019

CFE Media announces the 2019 System Integrator Giants

By Bob Vavra
Analytics December 3, 2018

PMI jumps 1.6 percentage points in November

New orders climb and business expands even as tariffs, worker issues remain.

By Bob Vavra
Virtualization, Cloud Analytics January 28, 2017

Industrial automation expected to grow according to report

Challenges remain after a rocky 2016, but standards, robotics will provide growth opportunities, according to a study from IHS Markit.

By Bob Vavra
Building Integration System December 15, 2016

2016 System Integrator Giants

The System Integrator Giants program (SI Giants) lists the top 100 system integrators among companies listed in the CFE Media Global System Integrator Database, ranked solely on total system integration revenue.

By Bob Vavra
Discrete Manufacturing February 4, 2016

‘A perfect fit’ for small businesses

Hannover Messe offers manufacturers an entry into global markets.

By Bob Vavra
Energy, Power January 15, 2016

A starting point for global exposure

Hannover Messe is a big event for a small U.S. manufacturer.

By Bob Vavra
Building Integration System December 21, 2015

2015 System Integrator Giants

The System Integrator Giants program (SI Giants) lists the top 100 system integrators among companies listed in the CFE Media Global System Integrator Database, ranked solely on total system integration revenue.

By Bob Vavra
Mechatronics and Motion Control July 30, 2013

Machine tool optimization: Future machines will talk to other machines, systems

Manufacturers are “standing on the next of the next major step” in efficiency with improvements in machine tool optimization, said Siemens officials on Monday, July 29, in advance of the EMO machine tool show in Hannover, Germany, in September. More integrated, self-optimizing future machines will be 50% more efficient.

By Bob Vavra
Workforce Development January 8, 2013

NASA Mars rover director to keynote ARC Forum

ARC Advisory Group conference, Feb. 11-14, 2013, features manufacturing and engineering-related speakers, highlights new processes and technologies, and includes a keynote presentation from the director of the Mars Rover project for NASA.

By Bob Vavra
Wireless October 9, 2009

ISA to move to knowledge-based event

Automation Week to replace ISA Expo in 2010.

By Bob Vavra