The modern metric system—known as the International System of Units, or SI—is a model of consistency and logic. But in some cases, the logic seems to break down.
In this article, we’ll explore some of these quirks and why they (mostly) make sense at the end of the day (or approximately 86,400…
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(MIT: Cambridge, MA) -- Often hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement of all time, the 1987 Montreal Protocol continues to successfully phase out the global production of chemicals that were creating a growing hole in the ozone layer, causing skin cancer and other…
(Nikon: Shinagawa, Tokyo) -- Nikon Corp. announces the launch of the APDIS MV5X, the latest addition to its APDIS laser radar product lineup. Building upon the proven technology of the MV4x0 series, the MV5X represents a significant advancement in noncontact measurement technology, achieving high-…
What would you do if a 240-kg iron rock older than the Earth landed outside your house?
While you ponder the many exciting possibilities, Replicad engineer Jaap Termeer has created a superrealistic digital twin of the meteorite. Such a scanning scenario is uncommon, even for 3D professionals. So…
(Hexagon: Stockholm) -- Hexagon AB announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Waygate Technologies, a leading provider of nondestructive testing solutions, from Baker Hughes. Waygate serves customers in the aerospace, automotive, energy, and industrial manufacturing sectors…
High-volume medical equipment serves as the operational backbone of our healthcare system. From infusion pumps and monitoring devices to hospital beds and support surfaces, these assets support nearly every aspect of patient care. Yet in many hospitals, medical equipment management remains…
A lot of CMMS rollouts fail quietly. It’s a common scenario: The software is installed, technicians are logging hours, and the digital work orders are flowing. On the surface, the implementation was a “success.”
But when the VP of operations asks for a quarterly performance review, no one can…
(Info-Tech: Arlington, VA) – Artificial intelligence (AI) has added a new layer to information management (IM) that accelerates how organizations create, access, and use information. However, recent findings from Info-Tech Research Group show that many IM practices remain rooted in legacy…
(NRD: Grand Island, NY) -- NRD, a global manufacturer of advanced nuclear materials, announces the release of its NBV series, a nickel-63-fueled, solid-state betavoltaic nuclear battery power cell designed to provide continuous, maintenance-free power for ultralow power electronics over operational…
Most quality professionals have experienced this moment. A process improvement initiative is completed. Procedures are updated, the team is trained, and for a period of time everything works exactly as intended. The process runs smoothly, and the problem appears to be solved. Then, gradually, small…
(bioMérieux: Marcy-l’Étoile, France) -- bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, announces the launch of BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE for pharmaceutical industries, where this innovative molecular testing system is designed to transform quality control. Building on the proven success of…
In various industries (or in your shop), there are numerous parts that make use of very small holes. A dozen examples could be listed, but the most common include aerosol cans, needles for delivering fluids and medicines, fuel-injection nozzles, and simple fixed restrictors used to control liquid…
(ISO: Geneva) -- Sustainability claims are everywhere. From recycled plastics and responsibly sourced fibers to renewable fuels and low-carbon materials, companies increasingly promise products with specific environmental or social characteristics.
But in complex global supply chains, proving…
When manufacturing leaders discuss operational challenges, “culture” becomes the catch-all explanation: “Our culture doesn’t support discipline like Asian manufacturers,” or, “We need to change the culture around quality,” or, “It’s a cultural resistance to following procedures.”
This framing…
(NIST: Gaithersburg, MD) -- Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new way to package photonic integrated circuits—tiny chips that convey information using light instead of electricity—so they can survive and operate in extreme environments, from…
In a connected world, opportunities are more about who you know than what you know. Whether it’s a job, making a sale, or finding your next great new hire, you’d be a fool to miss some great opportunities to build your network.
With the growth of platforms like LinkedIn, it’s easier than ever to…
When fundamental particles are heavier or lighter than expected, physicists’ understanding of the universe can tip into the unknown. A particle that’s just beyond its predicted mass can unravel scientists’ assumptions about the forces that make up all of matter and space. But now, a new precision…
(Nirova LLC: Boise, ID) -- Valkyrie Analytics, a U.S.-based analytics company specializing in real-time monitoring and optimization of anaerobic digesters, has received a $3 million seed stage investment from a strategic investor. This important milestone allows Valkyrie to relaunch as Nirova LLC…
On paper, material testing looks like one of the most controlled and reliable parts of a construction project. Samples are collected, standardized procedures are followed, and results are documented with precision. Everything points toward certainty.
And yet, failures still happen. Not small ones…
(Waygate Technologies: Huerth, Germany) -- Providing a glimpse into the future of automated engine maintenance, Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes business and market leader in nondestructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial inspection, and GE Aerospace have announced the deployment of new…
(Novelis Inc.: Atlanta) -- Novelis Inc., a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and a world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced that 10 of its manufacturing plants have achieved the first of four levels of certification in the Novelis Operating System (NOS) as of the end…
In a lot of plants, motion-control equipment stays in service far longer than anyone originally expected. Servo drives, spindle amplifiers, operator panels, encoder interfaces, and power supplies often keep running for years after the OEM has shifted its attention elsewhere.
That long service life…
The way we think about our process will shape the way we collect, analyze, and interpret our data when things go wrong. This in turn will shape the actions taken and the results obtained. In this column, we look at an example of the difference between the traditional approach and an alternate…
(Renishaw: West Dundee, IL) – Renishaw, a global leader in engineering technologies, has launched its multi-DoF (multiple degrees of freedom) optical encoder system, an absolute multi-DoF encoder system that combines one or more RXMA30 1.5D scales with market-proven RESOLUTE absolute encoder…
(Artec: Luxembourg) -- Global 3D scanning leader Artec 3D has announced the launch of Artec Jet, a powerful new SLAM-based LiDAR system for precision data capture at scale.
Deployable by hand, drone, or vehicle, Artec Jet offers unparalleled flexibility. Lightning-fast and ultraversatile, the…