The four finalists for the 2008 Assembly Plant of the Year award are all world-class facilities. Although IBM Poughkeepsie won the award, the other finalists are quite impressive, becuase they all specialize in flexible, high-mix assembly.

Will the Big Three go the way of radiator caps and hood ornaments? Recent rumblings in Detroit suggest that General Motors and Chrysler are considering a “marriage.”

Traditionally, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have lacked flexibility, which has limited their ability to quickly and easily change paths or routes. But, new technology will allow the devices to make smarter judgments and more intelligent decisions on the plant floor.

Everyone's talking about solar power these days. It's been mentioned quite a few times in the presidential debates, and it was a popular topic of conversation at the recent Assembly Technology Expo.

By implementing robots equipped with safe motion technology, manufacturers will be able to improve safety, reduce the size of workcells and increase operating efficiency.

When Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities 150 years ago, he said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Today, the same thing can be said about two assembly plants owned by General Motors Corp. (GM, Detroit).

When was the last time that you watched a movie or read a book where an engineer was the good guy? A new film epitomizes the lone American inventor and his fight for justice despite big odds.

Conveyors and forklifts have long been synonymous with assembly lines. But, in a lean world, those types of traditional material handling tools are often frowned upon. Some manufacturing engineers believe that automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology provides a better way to reduce waste and streamline production flow.

Some experts question if conveyors still make sense in today’s lean, flexible world. They believe automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can be a better alternative for material handling, depending on the specific application.

The basic concept behind automated guided vehicles (AGVs) has been around for decades. However, advanced technology is creating demand for a new generation of driverless vehicles that are cost-effective, reliable and flexible.