Often, OEMs and manufacturers can act as an anchor for other businesses and the services they provide, creating a sustainable ecosystem within that industry. For example, a medical device manufacturer may require the services of a systems integrator to provide automated manufacturing cells, who would then rely on the services of a skilled machine shop to provide custom components, who then relies on knowledgeable vendors to provide suitable materials, and so forth. Within this network, companies leverage the skills and knowledge of others to create something greater than would be possible if developed in isolation. In this article from MIT Technology Review, an examination of how a comprehensive advanced manufacturing ecosystem fosters and sustains innovation is presented. Intellimech’s engineers take advantage of years of applications experience across many different industries and combine it with original, inventive thinking in order to deliver solutions that are cost-effective and surpass our partners’ expectations.
New Solutions for Old Equipment
Are you facing a decision about what to do with your older automated equipment? In both laboratory and manufacturing environments, the frustration and uncertainty associated with making a determination about how to proceed with older equipment is a common, frequent challenge. Some elements to consider when contemplating the decision are availability of support, the equipment’s current and anticipated reliability, required productivity and performance, and operator safety. Intellimech’s engineers intimately understand the complexities of automation and work closely with our customers to gain an appreciation for their unique circumstances. We can help you in making a well-informed, cost-effective choice whether a retrofit or update to your existing equipment would best meet your objectives. In situations where the advantages of a retrofit or update outweigh those of new equipment, we strive to minimize our customers’ downtime while providing a comprehensive solution that will deliver performance and value for years to come. If a decision about your machine is on the horizon, contact Intellimech today and let us help you avoid frustration and solve your challenges.
Advanced Manufacturing Investment Yields Rewards
The push in manufacturing to reduce costs, improve productivity, and foster innovation is a continuous process. Advanced technologies, when correctly applied, can help a manufacturer reach these goals. The engineers at Intellimech work closely with our customers to gain a deeper understanding of their processes and unique challenges in order to provide a comprehensive solution that can leverage these new technologies to meet and exceed your expectations. In this release from Purdue University, a collaborative effort between the university and General Electric (GE) is announced. GE will plan to invest $10 million in a five-year partnership to develop new materials and manufacturing practices. For operations like GE’s, realizing a mere 1% improvement in manufacturing productivity equates to a savings of $500 million.
Creating Opportunities with Additive Manufacturing
New technologies can offer new opportunities and additive manufacturing is no exception to that principle. At Intellimech, our engineers have a proven track record of successfully delivering solutions for various additive manufacturing processes, including fiber placement and tape laying for composites (carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer) and stereolithography. One group that is taking advantage of what additive manufacturing can bring to the table is the Aerospace & Defense industry. In this article from MIT Technology Review, the unique benefits offered by incorporating this technology are analyzed.
Improving Machine Usability and Operator Safety
Traditionally, machine safety guidelines have prohibited most operator access to moving equipment, especially when that equipment is under automatic control. All that may change though, now that advanced safety technologies like PLCs, laser scanners, vision systems, and I/O systems are becoming faster, more responsive, and more capable. These devices can help facilitate greater interaction between human operators and automated equipment and processes while still maintaining an exceptional level of safety. In this article from MIT Technology Review, the possibilities of close collaboration between operators and equipment is explored.