Discrete Manufacturing

Manufacturing index rises slightly in May from April

The purchasing manufacturers' index rose to 43.1% in May, but the general mood remains cautious and uncertain as COVID-19 continues to cause havoc on global supply chains.

Invest in people and technology to close the skills gap

Organizations that invest in people and technology for the future will be better prepared for the next wave of manufacturing, which continues to evolve due to COVID-19.

Creating history: Motion control, industrial communications challenge

Integrated automation and motion controls help to suspend, move heavy garden ‘clouds’ as part of Chicago museum exhibit using a wireless pendant. Fiber-optic, water and power cables used are typically for heavy duty indoor applications and in high bay warehouses, packaging machines and indoor cranes.

University working with 3D-printing developer to produce swabs for COVID-19 testing

The Innovation Hub at West Virginia University is working with a Massachusetts-based 3D-printing company to produce medical swabs for COVID-19 testing.

10 essential maintenance and troubleshooting tips for VFDs

A properly maintained variable frequency drive (VFD) can provide decades and cost-effective service. Making VFD inspections and maintenance part of facility oversight can improve outcomes.

COVID-19 emergency support for safety circuits, VFDs, vision, PLC power quality, SCADA

System integrators can provide emergency support for automation troubleshooting to shorten or prevent downtime, improve quality and save money as manufacturing restarts or continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers incorporate computer vision, uncertainty into AI for robotic prosthetics

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed software to enable people using robotic prosthetics or exoskeletons to walk in a safer, more natural manner on different types of terrain.