You’ve been in your current assignment for awhile now, and you’re really happy. The work itself is great and you really enjoy your colleagues. Unfortunately, your contract is about to end, but you’re hoping to extend it. Talking to your boss about a contract extension might feel intimidating, but you can do it. Here’s some advice… Read more »
Being the boss of a manufacturing company is a very rewarding position, but it comes with a lot of weight. Every move you make impacts both individual employees and the company as a whole. This is something you take very seriously. Part of being an outstanding leader is doing your best to stay informed. Here’s… Read more »
A job interview is the time to put your best self forward, but that doesn’t mean you have to be arrogant. No one wants to hire someone who spends the interview blatantly self-promoting. The best candidates have a subtle way of selling themselves that highlights their value, without making them seem like an egomaniac. Use… Read more »
Case histories may best underline the importance of quality control in manufacturing. Toyota in 2009 was forced to recall 12.4 million cars due to sticky gas pedals and floor mats that caused accelerators to jam. The cost to the company was a staggering $12.4 billion. Firestone, Tylenol … the list goes on. Even the Titanic… Read more »
3D printing dates back nearly 30 years but has rapidly taken off as computational technology has advanced. Today, 3D printing in additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping is one of the tech industry’s hottest sectors. In one of the latest 3D breakthrough areas, it’s become clear that what the technology successfully does for industrial materials, it… Read more »
Hand-held and power tools are the cause of eight percent of accidents involving their misuse or failure. These tools are widely used in virtually every industry. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) addresses hand and power tools in standards for general industry as well as shipyard equipment, marine terminals and the construction business…. Read more »
It goes without saying that safety is the number-one priority of any manufacturer. As technology advances, designers are increasingly called upon to incorporate protective mechanisms into products at a very early stage. Even preliminary design engineers now have a profound influence on ultimate plant safety. As you execute your effective design process, consider the potential… Read more »
As in most industries, engineering is increasingly benefiting from mobile apps that make the job easier. Apps liberate engineers to complete required analyses on site and do quick calculations on their smartphones and tablets. And as is also true across all business and science sectors, apps are the wave of the future. As noted by… Read more »
Following a remarkable post-recession recovery, manufacturing is poised to benefit from continued growth and investment throughout this year. In November 2013, the U.S. trade deficit dipped to its lowest level in four years. Meanwhile, industrial stocks realized a five-year growth pattern of a solid 183 percent. Analysts agree that manufacturing will recover to pre-recession levels… Read more »
Today’s manufacturers are focused on building revenue by driving product innovation and expanding into emerging markets. They understand that optimizing their production processes is key to realizing this goal. Steps will include upgrading information systems and fine tuning enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to stay ahead of the competitive game. In a recent survey, almost… Read more »