Honda reveals all-new ASIMO humanoid robot
Honda's world leading humanoid robot ASIMO has received an upgrade with new technology, improved intelligence and enhance physical ability
Sectors - Metals & Machinery
FoxConn planning to build intelligent robot factory
iPhone manufacturer FoxConn is planning to build an 'intelligent robots kingdom' in Taiwan to automate factory operations
The birth of the world class factory
Manufacturing Digital visits a 149 year-old stampings business in the West Midlands and discovers why it's never too late for an established business to be the best in the world
London 2012 Olympic Games medals go into production
Gold, silver and bronze medals for the London 2012 Olympic Games have gone into production
Steam-powered Babbage computer could be built
The Science Museum in London agrees to help digitalise mathematician Charles Babbage's original mechanical computer plans
Foxconn to replace workers with one million robots
Contract manufacturer responsible for the Apple iPhone and iPad will implement change within the next three years
NASA, NSF support Obama on National Robotics Initiative
$70 million National Robotics Initiative part of $500 million Advanced Manufacturing Partnership aimed at reinvigorating US economy
Rotary mechanical smartphone concept embraces steampunk
In an increasingly digital world, designer Richard Clarkson introduces a more traditional mobile device
Eurocopter's EC145 Mercedes-Benz helicopter
Extravagant twin-engine helicopter inspired by Mercedes' range of luxury vehicles
Redcar Corus plant deal ‘closer'
Corus UK Limited and Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI), Thailand’s largest steel producer, have today signed a memorandum of understanding to buy the Teesside Cast Products (TCP) from Corus.
The potential transaction is valued at $500 million.
Corus to Spend £185m in Port Talbot
Corus is to invest £185 million into the No 4 Blast Furnace at Port Talbot steelworks.
Caterpillar to Build New U.S. Manufacturing Plant
The world's largest maker of construction and other heavy machinery said the hydraulic excavator manufacturing facility in Victoria, Texas, will employ more than 500 workers, triple Caterpillar’s hydraulic excavator production capacity in the U.S., and double the number of Caterpillar’s U.S. employees making excavators.
China Orders Plant Closures
In its latest bid to cut pollution and restructure the economy, the Chinese governmenthas ordered over 2,000 firms in high polluting and energy intensive industries to shut ‘outdated’ plants.
A total of 2,087 companies that produce steel, coal, cement, aluminum and glass have to “close their old and obsolete facilities” by the end of September.
Techno CNC Routers launches New Braille Insertion Tool
Techno CNC Routers’ New Braille Insertion Tool is “the easiest way to automate any Braille Sign-Making business instantly”, the company said in a release.
The tool can be used on any CNC Router - Techno CNC or other brands - and will be made available through the Techno CNC Cutting Tools e-Store.
Rio Tinto Receives AEP Offer
Rio Tinto has received a binding offer from funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, L.P. and the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement (FSI) to buy a 61 percent stake in Alcan Engineered Products, excluding the Cable Division.
TIEM Marks 20 Years of Manufacturing in the U.S.
Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM), the Indiana-based company responsible for manufacturing Toyota brand lift trucks, has commemorated the manufacturing plant’s 20th anniversary.
The event was attended by TIEM’s 600-plus associates.
Strong June Orders for Manufacturing Technology
June saw a strong set of orders for Manufacturing Technology, according to the latest survey by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the body representing the UK machine tool and manufacturing technology sector.
MTA said both exporters and domestically focussed companies reported order growth totalling 65 percent.
IDC Manufacturing Insights White Paper Released
The first findings of a white paper incorporating one of the largest global surveys focused entirely on discrete manufacturers, authored by IDC Manufacturing Insights and sponsored by Infor and IBM, have been published today – with some surprises.
Toyota announces Management Changes
Toyota has announced the appointment of Martin Boyd to Vice President of Product Planning and Marketing for TMHU and Tony Miller to Vice President of Production Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing and Maintenance for TIEM.
ArcelorMittal Responds to EU Fines
The European Commission today fined 17 steel producers a total of 518 million euros for running a price-fixing cartel that lasted 18 years.
U.S. April Machine Tool Consumption Falls
According to The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA), U.S. machine tool consumption dropped almost 16 percent in April from March.
Manufacturing technology consumption totaled $222.36 million, they said.
Novelis unveils Brazilian expansion plans
The investment will expand Novelis’ aluminum rolling operations in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil and will increase the plant’s capacity by more than 50 percent to over 600,000 metric tons of aluminum sheet per year.
GE South Africa wins Eskom contract
General Electric South Africa has signed a R500 million contract to help the build of a new coal-fired power plant, Manufacturing Digital can reveal.
Manufacturing pay: Komatsu workers negotiate pay rise
AMWU delegate Danasa Danasa said that workers are now much better off.
Caterpillar: VP Bob Williams to retire
Caterpillar Vice President Bob Williams, 61, will retire after more than 43 years with the company.
He has served as a Vice President since 2004 and currently has responsibility for the Americas Operations Division (AOD).
Dana: Details of Bosch Rexroth JV
The JV will operate from Italy and manufacture hydro-mechanical variable transmission systems, Manufacturing Digital can reveal.
JCB: UK jobs boost as outlook improves
JCB has started recruiting up to 200 extra shop floor workers as world markets begin showing the first signs of improvement.
JCB's Chief Executive Officer, Alan Blake, said: “There has been a slight improvement in some markets which has led to some increased demand for JCB's products.”
Alcoa: Q1 results beat forecast
U.S.aluminum-maker Alcoa has seen its first-quarter loss narrow as revenue rose and metal prices increased.
The firm reported a net loss of $201 million for the three months to March, compared with a $497 million loss a year ago.
Aluminum is currently selling at an 18-month high.
Teesside Cast Products mothballing to begin
The mothballing of the Teesside Cast Products (TCP) blast furnace at Redcar, where some 1,700 jobs are due to be lost, is to begin today.
The process could take a few months.
Caterpillar joins climate coalition exodus
The companies said they backed efforts for a green economy but felt proposed laws were unfair.
They will leave the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) as a result, choosing not to renew membership.
Corus plant to be mothballed by the end of the week
The death knell for Teesside Cast Products (TCP) was sounded by Corus yesterday as it told staff that steel production at the plant will cease within a week.
ThyssenKrupp posts first quarter profit as demand for steel grows
Net income in the first quarter, which ended in December, was 164 million euros, the Dusseldorf-based company said in a statement released to the press today.
Earnings before taxes (EBT) reached 313 million euros - up 73 million euros from the prior-year figure of 240 million euros.
ArcelorMittal profits rise as demand grows
ArcelorMittal has today reported a $1.07 billion profit for the three months to December 2009.
Rio Tinto appoints Managing Director, China
Bauert will be based in Shanghai and will lead Rio Tinto’s 160-strong team of employees in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. He established the company’s first office in China more than 25 years ago and has since held numerous senior positions with Rio Tinto.
De Beers plans $1bn rights issue
De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer, has announced plans to raise $1 billion from investors.
The rights issue is designed to help reduce debts, which currently stand at well over $3 billion.
De Beers said further investment from shareholders would also help it to take advantage of the recovery in the global economy.
Caterpillar announces acquisition of South Korean parts maker JCS
Caterpillar Inc. announced today it has entered into an agreement to acquire JCS Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jinsung T.E.C. Co., Ltd., a South Korea-based manufacturer that specialises in producing undercarriage components for earthmoving and other off-road machinery.
Deere reports Q4 loss
Farm equipment maker Deere & Company today announced a worldwide net loss of $222.8 million, or $0.53 per share, for the fourth quarter ended October 31.
Deere is the biggest U.S. maker of farm equipment, and sluggish economic conditions in most world markets continue to drive down demand for tractors, combines and the company's other agricultural equipment.
Steelmakers want ore-marketing plan blocked
Europe's steelmakers have asked the European Commission's anti-trust inspectors to block the proposed iron ore joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.
Konecranes acquires Dynamic Crane Systems
Konecranes, a world-leading lifting equipment manufacturer serving manufacturing and process industries, today revealed that it has acquired the remaining 80.5 percent of the share capital in c
Aggreko shows confidence in south-west with £520,000 investment
Two Scania 480bhp R series CR19 trucks have been acquired to enable the company to provide fast delivery of temporary power generators, electrical distribution and temperature control eq
ThyssenKrupp AG makes managerial changes
Hans Fischer, 53, is currently a member of the executive board of Salzgitter AG, but will become Chairman of the Management Board of the Steel Americas business area effective Feb
Record iron production for miner BHP Billiton
Mining giant BHP Billiton has said that its iron ore production rose by a record amount in the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Caterpillar sees "encouraging signs" of economic recovery
In its Q3 Results 2009, the construction and mining equipment manufacturer reported a profit of $404 million for the third quarter.
Xstrata has "no intention" of making Anglo bid
Xstrata approached Anglo-American in June with a view to a merger, but its rival rejected the proposal.
Alcoa returns to profitability
The company announced a net income of $77 million, way above what many analysts had predicted.
Anglesey Aluminium metal plant to close next month
The firm said a viable solution could not be reached, but last month rejected a £48m four-year government aid offer because it was "not enough to break even."
Machinery order outlook bodes ill for Japan
By Tetsushi Kajimoto
BHP Billiton Q4 may beat guidance
By Bruce Hextall
Vedanta eyes steel manufacturing-paper
Iron-ore producer Sesa Goa , controlled by Vedanta, has begun talks with Japanese and European steel companies for building a steel plant in India, the paper said, quoting group Chairman Anil Agarwal.
Redrock unveils new TH320
Northern Ireland based machinery manufacturer, Redrock Engineering Ltd, has introduced a new three tonne lift capacity pivot steer telehandler - the TH320 - which will replace the existi
