Industry Trends & Technological Developments for Machine Vision
Today’s cutting-edge machine vision systems rely on smaller and faster Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect massive amounts of digital data and report it to powerful cloud-based computers. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems process this data and make decisions based on this input. Recent technological developments in AI have significantly improved processes such as […]
Manufacturing Unscripted Podcast Interview
Listen to Barnaby Keller’s interview on the Manufacturing Unscripted podcast. During this episode, Barnaby takes a deep dive into the long history of Keller Technology Corporation. Hear how we adapted our focus over the last 100+ years as automation and market needs changed over time. Barnaby also discusses the challenges and successes we’ve encountered while […]
Reshoring: The Answer to Lowering Supply Chain Costs
Recent events have exposed the fragility of global supply chains. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly learned that much of the PPE needed to respond to the crisis was manufactured overseas, especially in Asia. Manufacturers had previously made the decision to produce their products in countries that had lower overall costs stemming […]
Product Design: An Important Key to Factory Automation Success
Automation equipment comes in many different configurations and formats. Lean work cells, hard automation, robotic assembly cells, flexible palletized conveyor systems, semi-automatic manual workstations, or any combination of these types, are common in today’s factories. The possibilities for different machine concepts are truly limitless. The factory automation solution you utilize, to produce a particular product, […]
Manufacturing Workplace Lighting & Air Quality
Older manufacturing and metalworking plants can be dark, smelly and dirty places negatively affecting the employees working in this dangerous environment. Air quality standards and guidelines for lighting type, quality, lux levels and placement are available for general industrial environments, as well as a variety of very specific work situations and tasks. Manufacturers have several […]
Production System Design: When to Use Lean (or Flexible) Work Cells, Hard Tooled Automation, or a Hybrid Manufacturing System
Designing a production system to manufacture a product is a complex and challenging task. Process engineers and company management must decide on the labor, equipment, and methods they will use to produce a quality product in the desired output volumes. Cost and lead time of custom equipment, production rate, process risk, product lifecycle, flexibility, safety, […]