Manufacturing 101

MagneMotion, Todd Webber, on the MagneMover Lite

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:07:41 +0000

Interview of the President & CEO of MagneMotion, Todd Webber, at the Assembly Technology Expo, discussing the benefits and applications of the new MagneMover LITE transport system. (As seen on Assembly Magazine Online).

Inertia Friction Welding Demonstration

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:08:43 +0000

MagneMotion’s MagneMover DB 1.0 System

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:37:26 +0000

I wanted to use this area to showcase video from time to time on manufacturing products that stop and make you go hmmm. I would be remiss, if I did not make the MagneMover DB 1.0 System my first. For obvious reasons, this will be my first pick in my newly established Video Section.

To learn more about this product visit MagneMotion on their website or see it first hand on YouTube.

As described on YouTube, The MagneMover DB 1.0 Series track system is designed for assembly and manufacturing process applications that require accurate, high volume handling of materials and work in process. This represents the third design in the MagneMover series and the second in the Double Bogey or DB series. This latest MagneMover design uses small, fast moving 600mm vehicles and electro-magnetic switching to provide a highly flexible material transport platform for smaller loads. The system is compatible with MagneMotions 100, 500 and 500HT QuickStick™ LSM products.

Design for Manufacturing

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:16:30 +0000

Ever wonder what DFM was? Here is a great video, part 1 in a series that explains what DFM is and how you can use it.

Small Company Survival in a Downturn Economy

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:43:31 +0000

In these trying times and shrinking economy, daily news stories about failing companies and massive corporate losses have become commonplace. When companies as large and powerful as General Motors and Chrysler teeter on the verge of failure and bankruptcy, it’s difficult not to wonder about the stability and longevity of smaller, less established companies.

One of the choices a company makes that can dramatically affect its success or failure is how it runs its manufacturing operation. In a small company, the first and most basic question to answer is “Do we want to do our own manufacturing?” The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. Are there contract manufacturers available that have the facilities and expertise to build the product? If there are contract manufacturers with the facilities and expertise, does it still make sense for a small company to consider setting up own facility? Can an in-house manufacturing operation be more cost effective than that of a contract manufacturer?

In difficult times, a small company needs to identify and focus on what it does best – then get better at it. If a company is best at designing and engineering complex solutions, it needs to concentrate on honing those engineering competencies. If a company is proficient at integrating products into custom solutions, it should find more markets in which it can develop and expand this expertise. When manufacturing is the life-blood of an organization, it needs to continuously improve its ability to process efficiently using up-to-date technologies.

Whatever the core business is of any small company, it’s important to maintain the focus of the organization on that business. Companies that develop with the false sense that they can be experts in everything are destined to fail. In the long run, the companies that can focus, build on, and continuously improve their expertise will survive the economic downturn and prosper into the future.