Michael Ouellette

1 week ago | engineering.com | Michael Ouellette

Automakers in the U.S. have invested in more automation than any other sector, but the country barely cracks the top 10, according to the IFR. Total installations of industrial robots in the U.S. automotive sector increased by 10.7%, reaching 13,700 units in 2024, according to preliminary results reported by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). "The United States has one of the most automated car industries in the world.

1 week ago | engineering.com | Michael Ouellette

The newly announced Maestro CMM was conceived with a digital-first approach. Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched Maestro, a next generation coordinate measuring machine (CMM) engineered from the ground up to meet the changing productivity demands of modern manufacturing. The company says Maestro was designed to be fast, easy to use, connected and scalable.

1 week ago | engineering.com | Michael Ouellette

The company's researchers cut thousands of parts to train its new AI assistant. Farmington, Conn.-based manufacturing technology company Trumpf is introducing a new "Cutting Assistant" application which uses artificial intelligence to help users improve the quality of laser-cut edges. Production employees just take a picture of their component's cut edge with a hand scanner. Then, the AI assesses the edge quality, evaluating it using objective criteria such as burr formation.

1 week ago | engineering.com | Michael Ouellette

Path Robotics and ALM Positioners are combining forces to deliver AI-powered welding automationPath Robotics and ALM Positioners have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to transform industrial positioning systems into fully autonomous, AI-powered welding solutions. The partners stated in a press release that the collaboration addresses urgent manufacturing challenges, including a shortage of skilled welders, increasing part variability, and demand for faster lead times.

2 weeks ago | engineering.com | Michael Ouellette

Data fabrics existed before AI became prominent, but their importance and value have grown dramatically alongside the rise of AI. Data fabrics used in manufacturing refer to an advanced data architecture and integration approach that provides a unified, intelligent layer for accessing and managing data across disparate systems, locations, and formats. Think of it as the "nervous system" that allows AI and analytics to work effectively across a complex, multi-source manufacturing environment.