CMTC Manufacturing Blog

Posted by Gregg Profozich

CMTC is publishing a series of blogs on Lean and Six Sigma over the coming weeks. Today’s publication, "What Are Lean & Six Sigma Methodologies?" is the first of three installments.  Future installments will cover "Lean Principles and Tools" and "Six Sigma Principles and Tools."   

Posted by Craig Tomita

Industrial robots have been in existence and commercially available for over 65 years.  Factory automation, a more all-encompassing term, has been in existence in one form or another for considerably longer than that. Humans have continually come up with solutions to  solve a wide variety of manufacturing problems in order to make the job of  making things more efficient, safer, and cost effective. The creativity of man to do this never ceases to amaze. The available technology continues to improve in many respects but  particularly in terms of capabilities and ease of use. 

Posted by Craig Tomita

Absolutely not. Industrial robots do what they are designed to do extremely well. High speed, high repeatability, heavy payloads, and more  There are many reasons why industrial robots are here to stay. True they are dangerous which is why they are behind guarding to protect workers from injury. But, it is also important to note that most small and medium-sized manufacturers don’t have applications that require all of the capabilities that industrial robots have to offer:  large quantities of the same product, high speed, and heavy payloads. In fact, with limited available floor space, many small and medium-sized manufacturers probably couldn’t accommodate a standard industrial robot in the first place. But a CoBot is more an extension of their human workers. CoBots are not a replacement for standard industrial robots, but an exciting new subset of industrial robots that is augmentative and a door-opener for the small and medium-sized manufacturer.

Posted by Craig Tomita

One of the most significant developments of potential interest to small and medium-sized manufacturers in the area of industrial robots is the introduction about 10 years or so ago of a subset of industrial robots called collaborative robots or “CoBots”. 

Posted by Gregg Profozich

The COVID-19 crisis has affected every industry, and manufacturing is no exception. As social distancing and mandated closures have sent the economy reeling, manufacturers have had to adapt to disruptions in supply chains, inventory shortages, and limited availability of employees. 

Posted by Rachel Miller

Toyota Kata--a structured approach for creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement--had its beginnings in manufacturing. The word Toyota refers to the Japanese carmaker’s renowned production system methods and tools. A Kata is a routine practiced so its pattern becomes a habit that over time gives workers new skills.

Posted by Rachel Miller

The pressure on today’s workforce is considerable. COVID-19 has introduced new challenges. There are new rules about social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) gear. Workers may be dealing with changes to equipment and floor plan layouts to ensure a safe workplace. All of this means new responsibilities and heightened expectations of supervisors in the manufacturing setting.

Posted by Rachel Miller

Even before COVID-19, manufacturers were facing challenges on several fronts relative to hiring and retaining a high-performing workforce. In addition to the easily observed factors – lack of a qualified applicant pool, turnover and absenteeism, and under-performing KPIs – there are various hidden problems.

Posted by Jacob Horne

It is estimated that there are around 300,000 companies in the Defense Industrial Base (“DIB”) across the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors. Roughly 99% of the DIB is made up of small and medium-sized businesses which are companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Posted by Rachel Miller

How can employers protect their employees and workplaces while battling COVID-19?

In order for manufacturers to develop a safety plan for their facilities, they must consider the whole workforce and all visitors. “Your assumption should be that people who look perfectly healthy may be asymptomatic carriers and spreaders,” said Eliot Dratch, a CMTC consultant and manufacturing operations/safety expert.