Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing. |
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Add comment February 9th, 2010 07:20am Bob Trojan
The recalls and other technical problems besetting Toyota in the last few weeks highlight the risks of relying on electronics instead of the mechanical rods and cables that controlled vehicles for most of the 20th century. Prius
1 comment February 8th, 2010 04:36pm Bob Trojan
The U.N.’s controversial climate report is coming under fire — again — this time by one of its own scientists, who admits he can’t find any evidence to support a warning about a climate-caused North African food shortage. Africa
What’s next?
1 comment February 8th, 2010 03:00pm Bob Trojan
Are there parallels to the US?
“Growth – or the illusion of growth – in the past decade was based upon the financial sector, consumer spending and borrowing linked to a housing bubble, and the expansion of the public sector. None of these will provide it in future, so manufacturing is back in fashion” See the rest… UK
Add comment February 8th, 2010 12:24pm Bob Trojan
Awards Program to Honor Industry Successes
ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. ® (FMA), and the Tube & Pipe Association, Intl. ® (TPA) seek applicants for two industry awards.
The FABRICATOR’s Industry Award 2011 presented by FMA and TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal®’s Industry Award 2011 presented by TPA are open to individuals or companies in the metal forming and fabricating industry or the tube and pipe fabricating and producing industry who have successfully improved operations, attained business growth, and contributed to both the local and industry communities.
“Manufacturing has been the backbone of America, and we feel it’s appropriate to honor the heroes of the industry by paying tribute to those individual leaders or companies that display innovation and determination to succeed,” said Gerald Shankel, president and CEO of FMA.
Winners will be recognized on the cover of the February 2011 issue of The FABRICATOR and cover of the January/February 2011 issue of TPJ-The Tube & Pipe Journal, respectively. They also will be featured in a high-profile article in the respective issue.
Each winner, selected by an awards committee consisting of staff and members of the FMA or TPA, will be honored at a 2011 FMA conference.
To apply, visit the FMA Web site at www.fmanet.org/industryaward. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2010, at 5 p.m. Please contact Randy Myers at 815-227-8255 for more information or check here…. FMA
Add comment February 8th, 2010 10:00am Bob Trojan
Computer science engineers are working on robots so tiny they might eventually fit INSIDE the human body. Hard to believe? Not if you’re an engineer. Cars are safer, medical tests are more accurate, and computers and cell phones are a lot more fun, all thanks to engineers. Local engineering feats will be showcased at Discovery Center Museum on Saturday, February 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to celebrate National Engineers’ Week - February 14 -20, 2010.
Discover Engineering offers elementary and middle school-age children and their families the opportunity to take part in numerous experiments and hands-on activities such as designing and testing catapults, helicopters, paper plate spinners and more. Visitors can watch demonstrations, talk with engineers from area companies, and take in a live science show.
Engineers from local companies, along with members of the local professional engineering societies, will be on hand to provide demonstrations, hands-on activities and general information.
Organizations registered to date include Hamilton Sundstrand, Haldex Hydraulics, Underwriters Laboratory, Southern Imperial, Anderson Packaging, Aqua-Aerobics Systems, Inc., the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and several high school robotics teams from the region. To find out how a company can participate, contact Ann Marie Walker at 815-963-6769. Deadline for vendors is Thursday, Feb. 11. Discover Engineering is sponsored by NDK America, Inc. and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers. Cost is included with admission to the Museum - $6 adults; $5 children ages 2-17; and free to Museum members and children under age 2.
National Engineers Week is dedicated to encouraging precollege interest in science, technology and engineering. For more information on engineering, check out discoverengineering.org.
Add comment February 8th, 2010 08:00am Bob Trojan
Miller Electric is doing a sweepstakes to give loyal customers a chance to upgrade their welding equipment. Welders just need to sign up to receive their e-newsletter and will be entered to win their choice of:
To enter the sweepstakes or for more information, please visit http://www.thefabricator.com/tc/arcwelding
Add comment February 7th, 2010 12:00pm Bob Trojan
A committee of engineers, educators and museum representatives who are organizing a week of activities promoting engineering to elementary through high school age children. Partners include Rock Valley College, Rockford Public Library, local professional engineering societies and others.We have organized a variety of activities including a children’s event at the Rockford Public Library main branch; college/career fair at Rock Valley College; bridge building competition; and a Discover Engineering event
on Saturday, February 13 at Discovery Center Museum.
I am inviting your organization to participate in the Discovery Center
event.
Discover Engineering will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday,
February 13 and is being sponsored by NDK Crystal, Inc. and the Illinois
Society of Professional Engineers. The purpose is to show elementary and middle
school age children the many ways engineering impacts our lives…the products
engineers create, the range of jobs relating to engineering, the many local
companies that employ engineers, and simply to meet engineers and ask
questions. We also combine the event with engineering badge workshops for
scouts. Our attendance averages 400-600 children and families.
If your organization would like to participate, we ask that you staff a table
(8-foot tables provided) with at least one person. Visual aids, give-aways,
hands-on activities or demonstrations are encouraged. We are happy to help
brainstorm ideas and find materials. Access to electrical power can be arranged. We
ask that companies supply their own extension cords. There is no fee to
participate and lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Ann Marie Walker,
marketing manager at Discovery Center, by e-mail at annmariew@discoverycentermuseum.org
or by phone at 815-963-6769. Space is limited.
We look forward to hearing from you!
3 comments February 6th, 2010 06:56pm Bob Trojan
It’s amazing that one vote of a new Senator is causing all the changes in his agenda…maybe he and the Dem party are finally realizing that THE PEOPLE are speaking and don’t agree with all these policies and heavy spending…which is leading us to bankruptcy… YesWeCan
Add comment February 6th, 2010 11:00am Bob Trojan
The President has set a goal of doubling exports. Now, I’m all for that one. My company exports about 10-12% so that surely would help me.
But how will he achieve this? From all that I read, Europe is in the economic doldrums, there is a bit of a trade war with China and besides, they want to make things there.
Will he create Export Incentives and how will those get paid?
Push the dollar down against other currencies to make our exports less costly?
Will the doubled exports be things that we make? Will they count services that US firms provide?
Will there be new products/services that we’ll be able export that we don’t export now?
Hmmm….
Add comment February 5th, 2010 05:30pm Bob Trojan
When was the last time you heard of a big US company CEO apologizing?
In Japan, this is called “saving face”. They takes these kinds of things personally and it’s not uncommon that sometimes they even resign, sometimes commit hari-kari.
We’ll have to watch this one.
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