Plastics and polymer composites are essential to a wide range of safety and performance parts in cars today. In fact, the use of plastic and polymer composites in light vehicles has increased from less than 20 pounds per vehicle in 1960 to 334 pounds per car in 2015.

Robots are increasingly being made to mirror humans. The best example of this is the dual-armed robot—such as ABB’s YuMi and Rethink Robotics’ Baxter—designed specifically to work closely with people on the assembly line.

The popularity of cordless tools on the assembly line continues to grow. Battery-operated devices allow assemblers to more easily work on platforms or inside car interiors, tractor cabs, aircraft wings and other tight spaces.

For decades, many people have fantasized about flying cars and roadworthy aircraft. While several successful prototypes have been built in the past, the idea has never gotten off the ground. But, that may finally be about to change.

PARIS--A new carbon-fiber composite production process could change the way commercial aircraft are assembled.

LINCOLN, NE--Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing's new aerospace division opened here last week. The company spent $12.6 million converting a 30,000-square-foot space to one that produces cargo doors for the new Boeing 777X. More

EVENDALE, OH--GE’s Advanced Turboprop engine is on track to run for the first time this year by powering Cessna’s new Denali aircraft. The engine features just 12 3D-printed components, which replace 855 normally made parts. More