Experts’ Blog on Manufacturing

In the third of this series of articles, discover the steps required to make the fourth industrial revolution a reality. Image: Chillicom, FANUC_R-2000iB_series_robot_127; flickr.com (CC BY 2.0) This article was first published in the Summer 2015 issue of OnWindows. Technology hypes are often followed by the trough of disillusionment. But it is sometimes only during [...]

There is much talk about the internet of things. However, ‘things’ are just part of the plumbing. We connect devices, giving them, no more than, nominal intelligence. The real innovation is the internet of services. Manufacturers need to think through their business model: how can a product become a service with the long term related revenue [...]

This article explores the success story at Landes. A business, which has thrived since 2010. How have they done it I wondered? Landes produces any shape in almost any material including complex free formed surfaces in metals such as high alloy steels or “Hastelloy”. The comprehensive production facilities include various robotised 5 axis machining centres and [...]

This article explores the success story at KMWE who are globalising at a rapid tempo. We are focussing on their global support group, the pitfalls and successes as their journey develops.KMME describes themselves as a reliable supplier and partner to the high tech equipment industry and aerospace. They have manufacturing locations and partnerships in The [...]

In April 2013 at Hannover Messe, a consortium of universities, research institutions and industrial companies in Germany presented a report which called for investment, awareness, ideas and further research to help realise ­Industry 4.0 – a term used to describe a wide variety of innovations in IT, manufacturing technology and materials that will lead to [...]

"Manufacturing companies can take some simple steps to help prepare their business for change and the fourth industrial revolution". Image: DaveBleasdale, Learning Zone; flickr.com (CC BY 2.0) This article was first published in the Spring 2015 issue of OnWindows. In the last issue of OnWindows I outlined the technologies and thinking behind the fourth industrial [...]

It’s the people that can make or break the success of an enterprise quality management system, says Mike James.Looking into the glass bowl of a manufacturing plant would be easy if the glass were not so misty. If every parameter were known and visible, accurate and selfcorrecting quality professionals could sit back and sip a [...]

I recently attended an Automotive conference where the presenter talked about Straight Through Ratios (STR). What he meant was a vehicle that went through the full assembly process without a single fault being detected.He showed a live screen with today’s statistics, presented on a huge Andon Board (LCD screen) along the assembly line. Only 32% [...]

Mike James introduces a series of articles looking at how an enterprise quality management system implementation affects a business. Anyone who has read my articles in the past will know that I am not afraid of discussing the problems of project deployment, as well as their value and benefits. While it is initially necessary to [...]

Mike James explains how the automotive industry can take advantage of enterprise quality management systems to improve product quality throughout the manufacturing process.In the last issue of Prime I presented the first in a four-part series of articles looking at the value of enterprise quality management systems (EQMS) for manufacturers. To start with, I highlighted how [...]