White Papers

	Implementing the 5S Workplace Organization Methodology Programs in Manufacturing Facilities Benefits to the companies from using the 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) methodology include raising quality, lowering costs, promoting safety, building customer confidence, increasing factory up-time and lowering repair costs. Lista International assists companies in implementing 5S methods as part of the lean manufacturing programs to drive waste out of manufacturing processes. The Lista products offer waste elimination through space reduction, organization improvement and inventory management.

	Taking the guesswork out of pneumatic control Here's a step-by-step approach to efficiently designing systems that work right the first time.

	Technical Guide: How to Match Today's Laser Cutting Technology to Application Requirements The continuing improvements in best-in-class laser cutting technology have not only made incorporation of laser cutting into flexo print operations a reality, but also allowed the combination of digital printing with digital cutting (a.k.a. laser cutting) to bring more variable data products into the world at highly competitive prices.

	Demystifying Ball Spline Specs There is the right ball spline for an endless number of automated operations: Robotics, inspection, spinning, loading, coating, wire winding, grinding, indexing, die setting, transferring, conveyance, molding, drafting, measuring, optical measuring, welding, riveting, printing, book-binding, packaging, filling, pressing and more.

	Spotlight on Medical Device Manufacturing Medical device manufacturers have long marketed their products with limited concern for costs. But today, an aging population and skyrocketing medical costs are prompting private insurers and government payers worldwide to limit reimbursements for medical devices.

	Building a better CMM — real-world performance for real-world solutions Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) are used in practically every industry that requires precise dimensional inspection of manufactured parts. In today's competitive environment, manufacturers demand CMMs that are accurate, reliable, fast, economical, and provide maximum flexibility with respect to operating environment.

	Tap Into Blue Chip Metrology Expertise The business of manufacturing is a colossal world of outsourcing: from product design to parts to services. This practice makes it possible to leverage expertise when you need it. In a field such as metrology where the difficulty of finding and training qualified staff remains an industry-wide issue, outsourcing is a growing nationwide trend.

	A Brief Discussion of Speed Increasers Gearing Solutions Inc. When a speed reducer may be used as a speed increaser, when it cannot, and why.

	AR Series Lower Loss Technology Development Oriental Motor U.S.A. Corp. The demand for stepping motors that have high efficiency and low losses has been increasing, although it had been previously focused on high torque. The selection of the most suitable grade for and the improvement in fastening of the laminated cores has reduced the losses significantly at their peak when compared to conventional stepping motors. Lowering the losses of the motor has enabled continuous operation that was previously impossible. An expansion of the stepping motors usage into applications where another motor has been used for continuous operation and other uses due to the heat generation problem can now be pursued. In addition, these motors are very effective for energy saving. This paper explains the technology used for lowering the iron losses of the stepping motor.

	The Trade Balance Matters: Focusing on Trade Imbalance to Create/Restore Millions of Jobs By: Dick Alexander, Global Shop Solutions Government dialogue about job creation is typically accompanied by extensive government expenditures or stimulus intervention. That dialogue, while intended to bolster the economy and reduce unemployment (particularly in sectors like manufacturing), excludes a leading cause of the current recession: foreign trade deficit.

	InterTech Assembly & Test White Paper: Test-Centric Assembly InterTech Development Company Test-Centric Assembly is best defined as the upfront consideration of real-world test requirements in test-intensive assembly operations that is proven to lower production line inefficiencies.

	Current Issues on 3D Volumetric Positioning Accuracy Optodyne Inc. Traditionally, manufacturers have ensured part accuracy by linear calibration of each machine tool axis. The conventional definition of the 3D volumetric positioning error is the root mean square of the three-axis displacement error. Twenty years ago, the dominate error is the lead screw pitch error of three axes. This definition is adequate. However, now the machine accuracy has been improved with better lead screw, linear encoder and compensation, the dominate errors become the squareness errors and straightness errors. Hence the above definition is inadequate.

	Bringing Your Products to Life KAON Interactive Why Scientific Instrument and Medical Device Manufacturers are Exploiting 3D Interactive Technology for Marketing and Sales.

	The 510(k) Process: The Key to Effective Device Regulation AdvaMed The Medical Device Amendments of 1976 ensure that medical devices are appropriately regulated by creating a risk-based and science-driven classification system.

	The Change Management Life Cycle: How to Involve Your People to Ensure Success at Every Stage ESI International This paper introduces a three-phase Organizational Change Management Life Cycle methodology (Identify, Engage, Implement) designed to help organizations successfully manage a change initiative. For each phase of the life cycle, the paper describes valuable techniques for involving the people within an organization. It also discusses the importance of developing a flexible, incremental implementation plan. Provided with permission by ESI International

	Vacuum Forming Applications Using Rapid Prototyping Technology Objet Geometries Ltd Vacuum-forming or thermoforming is one of the most common methods for processing plastic materials. Vacuum-formed products are prevalent in our daily lives. The process involves heating a plastic sheet until soft and then draping it over a mold. A vacuum is applied sucking the sheet onto the mold. The sheet is then removed from the mold. In its advanced form, the vacuum-forming process utilizes sophisticated pneumatic, hydraulic and heat controls thus enabling higher production speeds and more detailed vacuum-formed applications.

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