The North American robotics industry showed its largest growth ever during the first half of this year, according to statistics released recently by the Robotic Industries Association. A record 14,135 robots, worth $788 million, were ordered from North American robotics firms from January until June. That’s an increase of 30% in units and 16% in … Read more
The conveyor belts and rollers that make production lines and manufacturing facilities run efficiently also present a potential to hazard to workers. Even slow-moving conveyors or rollers can catch clothing, fingers and even limbs inside their moving parts, often resulting in crushing or mangling injuries. But a UK engineering firm has designed a new roller … Read more
The number of truck drivers in the US is rapidly diminishing, which is causing some trucking companies to consider something they have long avoided: Paying higher wages. Some of the nation’s biggest trucking firms — including Swift Transportation, Con-way Truckload and US Xpress — are offering higher wages in an effort to secure more new … Read more
If you are shipping less than a truckload of materials, traditionally you will be charged based on a formula based on the weight of your load and the distance it will travel. But some of the world’s biggest shippers — including FedEx Freight, YRC Worldwide, Old Dominion, Saia and others — currently are developing a … Read more
As industry turns to the world’s oceans for new sources of oil and gas — as well as “green energy” sources such as wind and wave farms — a new market has been created for specialized tools and equipment designed to make repairs and maintenance below the water’s surface. JD Neuhaus — a manufacturer of … Read more
Here’s a special sneak peek at some of what you will find this week on the Bahrns blog: As industries such as energy, mining and others expand their operations below the ocean’s surface, new markets are being created for specialized tools and materials that can handle this type of rugged environment. We’ll examine some of … Read more
In what could be considered a slowed-down Australian version of “The Dukes of Hazzard”, an apparently intoxicated man driving a stolen forklift led pursuers on a slow-speed chase for several miles before jumping off the vehicle and being captured by police. The incident began Sunday, August 10, when Chris Ruane was visiting a friend in … Read more
The third annual Manufacturing Day will be held Friday, October 3, this year and will feature more than 1,500 manufacturing events nationwide, according to event organizers. The purpose of Manufacturing Day is to introduce as many people as possible to the important role manufacturing plays for both local communities and the nation as a whole. … Read more
ProTec Polymer Processing — a materials handling drying systems solution firm based in Behneim, Germany — will unveil a new type of modular drying equipment at the Fakuma plastics trade show, to be held October 14 to 18 in Freidrichshafen. Among the products to be on display will be a new generation of stationary module … Read more
A brewery in the UK has developed an innovative way to save money on the taxes it is required to pay on the beer it produces: Backwash. In the UK, breweries are required to pay a tax called a “beer duty” on every barrel of beer that leaves the facility. But Marston’s — a brewery … Read more
