Texas Instruments invented DLP in 1987 for use in home theaters. Several 3D printer manufacturers have since co-opted the technology as a means to project sequential digital images of individual
This is the generic term for FDM, first coined to avoid trademark infringements.
With single-piece flow, there's no work-in-process or finished goods inventory, and lead times aren't much longer than the total cycle time needed to make one part. What's more, defects
A multitasking machine is defined as a CNC lathe equipped with a machining center-style tool spindle, automatic tool changer (ATC), and external tool magazine. If you make high mix, low-volume
Mount a laser over a bed of metal powder, program it to trace a cross-section of a part model on the surface (thereby fusing the metal particles), then drag some
It wasn't long after personal computers made their debut that bad actors began hacking into them for nefarious purposes. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks,
Minimizing waste in the form of overproduction, lost time, bad parts, and unnecessary movement of people and materials. Sprinkle in some continuous improvement and a sense of company-wide
If your shop utilizes Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics, simulation, and the IIoT to make data-driven decisions, you're engaged in smart manufacturing.
There's a red, yellow, and green traffic light perched atop most CNC machine tools. It's called an Andon, a Lean tool that automotive engineers at Toyota invented as a visual
ERP is software that manufacturers use to track and manage quotes, sales orders, purchasing, scheduling, inventory, shipping, invoicing, and payments. Some common examples include SAP, Epicor,