You are browsing the archive for manufacturing.

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Manufacturing is changing in the United States

December 6, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek


We all know that recessions can be devastating to companies and more so to the people, but there are some good things that come out of it as well.

  • Businesses become more creative and efficient
  • People become more creative and efficient
  • New opportunities appear
  • Survival mode kicks in and we make it past the tough times

Manufacturing in the United States has seen plenty of devastating events during this recession, but I see some hope.  There are new companies sprouting up in the manufacturing world that are taking advantage of our strengths.  Much like the wave of micro brewers, we are seeing micro manufacturing companies.  Check out this company (www.local-motors.com), they have the right idea.  Of course, I think they should use our KeyCreator 3D Direct CAD software and other engineering tools, but that’s not my point.

I see a great future for manufacturing in this country, but we need to work real hard to get there.  Let’s fight our way outside the normal business habits of today and inspire new and better ways of doing things.  Here’s a hint, think about humanity and not about profits, and a better world will follow.

Don’t forget to come visit us at www.kubotekusa.com and we’ll show you some engineering software that will blow you away!

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Manufacturing is changing in the United States
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Direct Modeling in Today's Manufacturing World

October 8, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek

I’ve been hearing a lot of discussions out on the blogs about how the manufacturing world thinks the vendors (like Kubotek) need to provide better tools to help them compete on a global market. I wonder how serious the manufacturers really are about adopting change to make their businesses stronger and more competitive on a global scale.

The Direct Editing and Direct Modeling tools that are available today are a tremendous help to any manufacturing company. Time to market is important, right? Altering the design to improve the product is important, right? Being able to use any geometry of any model is important, right?

Manufacturers are probably the most ingenious and effective businesses in the world. So how can we help them understand that there are tools out there today that can make them better.

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Direct Modeling in Today’s Manufacturing World
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Commentary on 8 reasons Engineers should spend their free time in the Machine Shop

September 29, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek

8 Reasons Engineers Should Spend Their Free Time In The Machine Shop

I found this recent post by T. Brian Jones very interesting. We meet with hundreds of engineers every year, maybe more. We hear the “old-timers” lament about the lack of practical skill that many “CAD programmers” have in designing products that are manufacturable.

I think this is closely related to the need for Engineering and Manufacturing to spend more time understanding each other.   It is also closely related to the ability of OEMs and suppliers to collaborate effectively.

I found the 3rd reason very applicable:

3. You can draw a lot of things in Pro/E and SolidWorks that you can’t make in the real world.

Kubotek software – KeyCreator CAD, our Validation Tool our Spectrum Viewers are designed for ease of creation/editing, comparing, validating and viewing of 3D/2D models, drawings and PMI.  Our KeyCreator CAD direct modeling software allows you to work using solid, surface, and wirefame, as your workflow dictates. This allows engineering, manufacturing and quality the flexibility and precision necessary to make decisions and collaborate to make manufacturable and cost effective designs and products.

Do you have stories about receiving manufacturable designs from manufacturing, we’d love to hear them.

Nice list T. Brian Jones!

Thank you for you insights.

Scott

 

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Commentary on 8 reasons Engineers should spend their free time in the Machine Shop
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Manufacturing Outlook – Are you ready?

September 14, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek

 

Most recent news coming out about manufacturing points toward the fact that the economy is at its bottom. This tells me that we are probably on our way up, since current news is usually about the recent past. I’ll ask the question again; has your company improved itself to handle the business that will be available in the near future. Are your engineers armed with the best software CAD tools? Have you checked out how powerful KeyCreator is as a CAD tool?
The manufacturing sector should begin to rebound in 2010, with MAPI forecasting 14 of 24 industries to show gains, led by housing starts with a 59% rebound from historically low levels. The turnaround should continue in 2011 with growth likely in all 24 industries, including seven by double digits, led by housing starts at 40% and industrial machinery at 25%.

 

Mark

 

 

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Manufacturing Outlook – Are you ready?
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Drawings represent final product

September 12, 2009 in CAD, SolidWorks

One comment I’ve seen about ASME suggests that it is geared towards fully detailing product definition.   One trap that rookie designers and engineers will often fall into is over-specifying their parts by placing manufacturing process information on the drawing.

The new designer may do this because maybe a machine shop made the part wrong and [...]

Source: SolidWorks Legion – Drawings represent final product
Go to Source: SolidWorks Legion

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Manufacturing Outlook – Are you ready?

September 12, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek

It’s becoming obvious that the news regarding the manufacturing
industry is starting to be more and more positive. I’m quite sure we
are not out of the woods yet, but it won’t be long. Manufacturing
companies that have taken this downturn time to make themselves more
efficient and effective will be much better off when business picks up
again. Higher profits and more work means everyone is happy!

If
your company is still feeling the affects of the downturn, then maybe
you still have time to make your company more efficient and effective.
As we all know, once the businesses start to run at full capacity, room
for improvement is minimal. If you don’t take the time to improve now,
you may not be able to win business or have enough profits to survive.

Mark
Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Manufacturing Outlook – Are you ready?
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

Manufacturing Productivity Tip – Multi-CAD Viewers for Manufacturing

September 12, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek

Tired ManIt’s 5 O’clock and the deadline has passed for the RFQ that you have buried under a pile of papers on your desk.

Missed another deadline.

You’ve got capacity on the manufacturing floor.  You could really use more orders, but you can’t afford to buy and get people trained on many expensive CAD packages.  And the CAD jocks you have are busy, getting jobs out the door. So they don’t have time to stop open the OEM’s CAD files or even draw up a model to be included in the quote.

How can you increase the number or quotes you are completing on time without utilizin your valuable CAD resources.

One essential tool for today’ contract manufacturers and job shops to do quoting and estimating is a Multi-CAD viewer.  Inexpensive CAD viewers are available that allow you to open, view, measure, get mass properties and print. These are easy to use – no need to bother your valuable engineers.

This is a two prong boost to your productivity.  You can complete more quotes, more quickly and for more customers and you can increase the amount of time that your engineers stay focused on your current projects. This easy to implement, low cost CAD tool will add to your top line and bottom line simultaneously.  For more easy ideas on how to reduce wasted time and to increase your profits download the following White Paper:

5 Easy Ways Manufacturers can turn Wasted CAD Activity into Profits

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – Manufacturing Productivity Tip – Multi-CAD Viewers for Manufacturing
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of CADcaster

by CADcaster

America’s Youth in Manufacturing

September 11, 2009 in CAD, Kubotek


American manufacturing is eager and enthusiastic about competing on an international level, but how is it possible with such overwhelming obstacles.

Part 1 continued (again): America’s Youth in Manufacturing

I was on the phone with Governor Patrick today; telling him about our quest to bring passion back to manufacturing. I told him about a publication from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute published last month regarding the public’s view of manufacturing.

Here are a few stats from the report:

  • 81% of Americans strongly believe manufacturing is important to our standard of living.
  • 68% of Americans believe manufacturing is important to our national security.
  • Manufacturing Industry was ranked as the most important to maintain a strong national economy.
  • 77% of Americans want a more strategic approach to our manufacturing sector.

All great stats right!

In this same report, there were a few more troubling stats:

  • Just 30% of Americans want their children to pursue a career in manufacturing.
  • Only 17% of Americans believe our school system encourages students to pursue a career in manufacturing.

It is unacceptable to me that we say one thing but do another. We must find a way to make manufacturing more attractive to the youth of this country.

It’s time to realize that it’s okay to get our hands dirty.

PS, design contest will probably be this fall. More news to come.

Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA – America’s Youth in Manufacturing
Go to Source: CAD Freedom and Precision – Views and News from KubotekUSA

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »