While Industry 4.0 is all about automation and digitisation, the future of manufacturing is in personalisation. Manufacturing 5-0, or the Fifth Industrial Revolution, will focus on the co-operation between humans and robots. Although the focus remains on automation and advanced manufacturing, the human element is more important than ever. We’ll take a closer look at what this means for manufacturing but first, let’s recap our journey up to now.
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2018
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Jun
2018
When you think of military vehicles, what comes to mind first? Traditionally, tanks and Humvees are always common but times have changed and will continue to do so. Advanced warfare and new technologies are major contributing factors influencing the types of military vehicles required in the future. Weight, speed, cost and armament all play pivotal roles.
Looking back at 2014, DARPA announced the launch of its Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) program. In a nutshell, GXV-T aims at finding high-tech alternatives to normal armour plating. Success would result in tanks weighing much less, travel twice as fast while still protecting its occupants. The problem comes in with advancing technology as artillery designers keep making bigger anti-tank guns. This has generally been the case and in response, tank designers just add more armour.
One such example is America’s main battle tank, the M1A2 Abrams. It weighs an astonishing
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Jun
2018
The latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey reports that UK Manufacturing output looks promising. They suggest that output has increased strongly and faster since the end of 2017. According to CBI, growth was broad-based, with output increasing in 14 out of 17 sub-sectors. Among the top performers are food, drink and tobacco and mechanical engineering.
Total order books show similar, healthy levels resembling that of December 2017. Exports remained stable, well above average and in line with the past 16 months. Output price expectations for inflation softened to the weakest in almost a year while stock levels moved below average. It hasn’t been smooth sailing as the UK Manufacturing sector faced some serious challenges.
While the CBI believes manufacturers will continue to benefit from robust external demand and the lower exchange rate, overall economic growth is expected to remain subdued. This comes as a result of weak consumer income growth and the continuous uncertainty stemming investments.
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Jun
2018
A new research study by A.T. Kearney and HP Inc has revealed some interesting data. The UK is placed fifth overall in adopting 3D printing and additive manufacturing behind the US, Germany, Korea and Japan. Within Europe, Britain came in second only behind Germany (placed second globally), and ahead of Sweden (eighth), France (ninth), and Italy at twelve.
According to HP Inc, Germany is the only European country with a more positive environment for the technology to transform manufacturing. Although we’ll see some positive data on 3D printing and additive manufacturing, it’s not all sunshine and roses.
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Jun
2018
Eindhoven in the Netherlands is set to become the center of attention with 3D printed homes. A bridge has already been constructed using cutting edge technology and now, a total of five 3D printed homes will add to the collection. It comes courtesy of a collaboration between the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Eindhoven municipality and several other firms.
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Jun
2018
The electric vehicle industry is forever growing and now reaching the aviation world with start-up, Zunum Aero. The Boeing and JetBlue-backed company plans to launch their hybrid electric plane by 2022 flying 12 passengers 500 miles. Ambitious maybe but according to reports, Zunum Aero is well on the way to achieving their goal.
Earlier this month JetSuite signed up as the launch customer for Zunum’s first hybrid electric plane. The Southern California charter air service announced a deal to
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May
2018
Tin and silver plating are essential for components designed to carry heavy electrical currents such as Busbars. It’s believed that silver is the best metal for conducting electricity making it a popular choice for electronics and semiconductors.
At PRV Engineering, we provide a high quality painted finish to very exacting standards. Our plating facility is testament to how we operate in terms of quality finish and zero tolerance on rejects. There is no better way of controlling quality than by doing it yourself which is exactly what we do.
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May
2018
Subcon Show 2018 is mere weeks away and this year may be the biggest event yet. UK’s premier subcontract manufacturing supply chain show will run alongside The Engineering Expo, a free to attend 3-day educational program.
Thursday 5 June sees the 2018 Subcon show kick off at the Birmingham NEC displaying the best of British manufacturing. Network with top industry leaders and international suppliers looking to help UK manufacturers optimise their supply chain strategies.
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May
2018
What does Uber have in common with NASA and the US Army? Well, nothing really besides the new partnership for developing commercial flying taxis by 2023. The new UberAir service wants to launch electric flying taxis within the next five years and working with NASA and the US Army may just realise those ambitions.
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May
2018
When you think of structural steel fabrication and construction, what comes to mind first? Most construction projects consist of steel frameworks with skyscrapers, warehouses and shopping malls at the top of the list.
Many industries rely on structural steel fabrication because of the unmatched quality, reliability, flexibility, cost effectiveness and sustainability. But what happens when companies use non-compliant suppliers? Did you know that there are potentially over 7000 UK suppliers who are trading illegally?
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