Before the pandemic, 17 percent of US employees worked remotely full-time. Now, it's closer to 44 percent. More businesses than ever before are operating without physical headquarters or offices, giving their employees lots of flexibility around their work schedules and workplaces. And it is safe to say that these remote work policies are here to ...

The recent global shift to remote and hybrid work models allowed many employees and companies to reevaluate how and where they work, fueling fundamental shifts in the workplace. In addition, many employees realized that "work-from-home" could expand to "work-from-anywhere," permanently changing the ...

Key takeaways As the remote work landscape has become increasingly popular, businesses have had to adapt to virtual onboarding and training methods to offer a positive onboarding experience Communicating business expectations and job requirements and sharing vital information is key to integrating a new hire ...

Remember the '90s horror hit, The Blair Witch Project, which shocked audiences with its groundbreaking found-footage style? More than 20 years after its release, audiences are going to be able to step inside the house where it all took place — except it will be happening just steps off the Las Vegas Strip. Immersive experiences are a hit in ...

With states starting to lift lockdown restrictions amid fluctuating infection and hospitalization rates — and some localities even forced to pause reopenings in progress — the safety of heading back to the workplace is still very much in question. What will it take for the typical worker whose routine has shifted as a result of the pandemic to ...

As businesses start to embrace global remote workforces, one of the challenges they must deal with is managing employees spread across different geographies. It's important to understand that this task involves much more than just being considerate of different time zones. For a global remote workforce to be truly successful, organizations must also take into account important differences in culture. The prevailing values, behavioral norms, and personal situations in different ...

Even before COVID-19 took the world by storm, giving everyone a "new normal," remote work was already on the rise. Prior to the global pandemic a study by Upwork from their Future Workplace Report found that 5x the number of hiring managers expect more of their team to work remotely in the next 10-years. Now, given the new state of the world, every company that can has been forced to rapidly adopt remote work as a means to continue business operations ...

These are shaky times for the US economy. In April, a record 20.5 million jobs were lost, driving the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent — numbers we haven't seen since the Great Depression. The economy received a boost from increasing employment numbers in May, but the job market is likely to need more time to fully recover from ...

The common thread in both the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial unrest sweeping America is that both crises happened because leaders failed to do one thing: listen. With coronavirus, the failure was immediate, hobbling what should have been an effective early response. In the case of the racial-justice protests, the failure to listen compounded over decades of police abuses, and the dam of national outrage finally broke following the murder of George Floyd in May. Amid the anguish and loss brought ...

Having visibility into a team's processes and projects is important to every manager. However, when you're managing a remote team, visibility becomes even more critical. How can you guide your staff on priorities and deadlines when you aren't sure what's actually going on behind the scenes? With remote workforces, simply getting work done isn't enough. Inefficient processes become more problematic as employees are no longer in the same room and communication becomes more difficult or delayed. Managers also need to see ...

When we talk about happiness at work, we usually focus on ways to boost your satisfaction and land a position that offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment. One tidbit that rarely makes headlines is that many employees are actually pretty content with their work. In fact, a CNBC/SurveyMonkey survey found that 85 percent of American workers are happy with their jobs. With numbers like those, it stands ...

The transition from ICE to electric powertrain requires a complete review of the approach to quality and process controls. Some existing checks for ICE find even more extensive applications for the EV sector.

Traditional measurement methods struggle with complex geometries and modern plastic parts. Advanced vision measuring systems offer advantages for automotive manufacturers, but traditional tools are still preferable in some areas.

The collaboration aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign sources of battery materials.

AI-based vision system ensures that relays and other components are installed correctly.

VICTOR, NY—New Scale Robotics has been named an authorized systems integrator (ASI) for FANUC America Corp., enabling the company to more effectively use its Q-Span automated gauging technology in conjunction with FANUC’s collaborative robots.

For automation-focused companies, Autonomous Process Control (APC) isn’t just a tech advancement—it’s essential for achieving six sigma quality and boosting yields and profitability.

Torque testing raises unique challenges, and here we highlight varied examples in sectors where health and safety are paramount.

No robot can replace a person, but they can handle dull, dangerous, or repetitive tasks, freeing up employees for more fulfilling work. Businesses need to embrace robotics to efficiently adapt to production cycles and address supply chain backlogs and labor shortages.

How can a QMS help your organization to achieve a strategic culture of quality? What can you learn from the unique challenges other organizations face in different industries? 

This white paper explores how the automation of operations such as quality inspection and metrology – previously reserved for larger companies with hefty budgets – has changed dramatically with the advent of collaborative robots.

Connectivity is the key for companies that want to improve quality.

Nondestructive testing of large components can be time consuming and requires several people to work quickly to minimize the impact of testing on the large component manufacturing process.

How does the surface texture affect the friction between two dry parallel sliding surfaces? It turns out that this problem has challenged some of the greatest minds in science and engineering.

Kreon announced the full integration of its range of 3-D laser scanners together with Metrolog X4 i-robot.

Novotechnik, U.S., introduces the new RSK-3200 Series of angle sensors are designed for harsh automotive and off-highway applications.

Platinum Tools® announced the launch of its new PT-OTDR-100 mini OTDR tester. The PT-OTDR-100 is scheduled to ship in October.

The CL Series, available now for hands-on demos and orders, and other additions to the company’s extensive robotics portfolio give manufacturers flexibility and advanced capabilities to bring automation to a wide range of new applications and markets.

The cost and lead times for Germanium optical components have skyrocketed.

Air gauges are non-contact devices that utilize air pressure for measurement. They play a crucial role in ensuring precision and quality control in the manufacturing industry, from automotive to aerospace industries. They are particularly valuable for measuring delicate or easily deformable materials.

ROME—Automation firm Comau and aerospace supplier Leonardo S.p.A. are working together to develop self-adaptive robotic technology that can autonomously inspect helicopter blades up to 7 meters long.

Robotic inspection path planning can be tedious, but ultrasonic testing path programming must be fully automated and user-friendly.

NDT and RVI offer non-damaging, cost-effective surface inspections with advanced imaging. Enhanced tools like video borescopes and PTZ cameras improve critical inspection capabilities for industries like aerospace and power generation. Smaller, sophisticated camera sensors enable comprehensive inspections across industries.

Beleaguered Boeing Starliner's return to Earth — without the astronauts —is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, September 5th.

Pareto charts provide clarity and direction, helping quality control departments target and resolve key challenges.

This article explores the transformative impact of incorporating rotary stages into coordinate measuring systems, enhancing their capabilities and the efficiency of the measurement process.

As robots gain prevalence in manufacturing, emphasizing their safe use is vital. This includes understanding safety features, challenges, and best practices across all robot types, such as industrial, collaborative (cobots), autonomous mobile (AMRs), and humanoid robots, to navigate their complexities effectively.

How is the ISO involved with Greenhouse Gasses (GHG)? Over the past 20 years or so, ISO has released a number of standards around GHG.

Former Boeing engineer Jim Doxey explains a previous motto at the company, why people (and teamwork) are the most important part of a quality system, and offers advice for manufacturers looking to avoid quality woes. He also shares his thoughts on a 30+ career working in manufacturing.

In our ever-changing world of global business, quality is a cornerstone of success. Organizations striving for excellence cannot afford to overlook Total Quality Management (TQM), a management philosophy centered on the continuous improvement of processes, products, and services through the involvement of all employees. 

A cohesive workforce is critical for success.

The most frustrating moment in problem-solving is fixing an error only to see it reappear the next day. Until the root cause is identified and addressed, the issue will persist.

Real-world problems often have multiple causes, so it's beneficial to extend your root cause analysis by considering the problem from various perspectives.

The automotive industry is innovating to produce safer and more efficient vehicles. Quality standards are vital, as small defects can lead to serious safety issues. Digital twins and augmented reality (AR) are transforming quality management. This article explores their impact and associated challenges.

This article shows how to make leadership aware of all costs and not just the tangible ones. It helps quality professionals to quantify the Total Cost of Quality and derive a compelling business case from that quantification.

As consumers demand higher-quality goods at steadily increasing volumes, the chief benefits of industrial automation — speed, accuracy, and consistency—become more important to businesses worldwide with each passing day. 

As electric vehicles (EVs) reshape the automotive industry, manufacturers are pressured to enhance processes and achieve first-time quality. The demand for sustainable transportation requires a rethink of production strategies, with a focus on establishing a one-piece flow—ensuring each unit moves through the line without interruptions. This efficiency is vital for meeting consumer expectations and setting industry benchmarks.

LASER COMPONENTS Germany GmbH has taken a decisive step towards more efficient production processes by acquiring a new robot.

ABB Robotics announced its sponsorship of MassRobotics, a leading innovation hub and startup accelerator for robotics in the United States.

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $191.8 million in July 2024.