CMTC Manufacturing Blog

Posted by Gregg Profozich

It seems like no part of the economy has been left untouched by COVID-19. Both essential and non-essential industries have felt the impact of the novel coronavirus and its devastating effects on the economy, especially manufacturing.

Posted by Jacob Horne

Cybersecurity is a complex topic no matter what industry vertical it is applied to. In order to reduce that complexity, it helps to frame cybersecurity in the context of the business. For manufacturers, there is a familiar concept that can be used: begin with the end in mind.

Posted by Eliot Dratch

Workplace safety is at the top of everyone's mind right now. Manufacturing facilities have opened up (if they shut down at all) and companies need to make sure they are in full compliance with CDC and OSHA regulations, and also meet the guidance coming from within their county. 

Posted by Jacob Horne

For many small and medium-sized manufacturers the great teleworking experiment brought on by COVID-19 has been a painful one. The sudden shift to telework poses numerous managerial, logistical and operational hurdles. To make matters worse, cybersecurity risks are amplified by the needs of a remote workforce.

Posted by Steven Brand

In a galaxy far, far away…

Well, how far exactly?

The technological advancements in the Star Wars universe may seem to be the stuff of fantasy. While Death Stars, droid armies, and flying starfighters are still just Hollywood creations, real world robotics have made epic advancements since Episode IV first debuted in 1977 (under the original title of  Star Wars, of course).

Posted by Steven Brand

Posted by Raminder Sandhu, CMTC Robotics & Automation Practice Lead & Regional Representative for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute.

Robots are capable of incredible feats well beyond human abilities: Guinness World Records recognizes the Fanuc Corporation’s M-2000iA/2300 Super Heavy Payload Robot as the world’s strongest, capable of moving objects that weigh more than 5,000 pounds.

Strength has long made robots a staple of assembly lines, where their immense power transcends human limitations. But companies are discovering that robots can be leveraged not just to overcome human physical limitations, but mental limitations as well.

Posted by Steven Brand

California is a food manufacturing powerhouse. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the Golden State has the highest number of food manufacturing plants in the nation—nearly 5,650. To continue to lead the country forward, it’s important that food manufacturers follow best practices when it comes to improving quality; reducing food safety mistakes; utilizing new technologies such as Machine Vision; monitoring consumer trends; and adopting an integrated approach to manufacturing.

Posted by Steven Brand

Photo Credit CES®

A proving ground for established companies and startups, innovators and entrepreneurs, the annual four-day Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was decked-out with new tech this year. California was well-represented, with more than 650 Golden State companies showing up to show off.

Posted by Steven Brand

* NOTE: This blog has been updated to reflect new laws going into effect in 2021.

The Golden State began leading the way in workplace anti-harassment training in 2004, establishing a bill that required supervisors to learn about the subject. Covered under the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), Assembly Bill 1825 stated that employers must “take reasonable steps to prevent and correct wrongful behavior in the workplace.” Since then, additional Senate Bills have been signed in an effort to make anti-harassment training more effective, which we will cover below.