Articles by Jim Camillo

Soldering Tools Keep UAVs Flying High

July 22, 2020

Most people know them as drones and believe they are strictly used in the sky. But, their official name is unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and they can also be used in confined spaces inside or outside.

Ultrasonic Welding Technology Brings Innovation to US, Russian Automakers

Jim Camillo

July 21, 2020

Not every technological advancement in automotive assembly gets adequate recognition. Consider, for example, how much has been written about the use of aluminum in the redesigned 2019 Dodge RAM 1500 and 2500 trucks, vs. that of ultrasonic welding.

Automatic Installation of Nonthreaded Fasteners

Numerous systems and workcells help manufacturers accurately install pins, clips and other nonthreaded fasteners.

Jim Camillo

July 20, 2020

There are no unimportant or unnecessary parts in an assembly. Each component within a product, be it large or small, simple or complex, has been delegated there by an engineer to perform a specific task.

Manufacturers Shift to PPE Production to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic

Jim Camillo

June 17, 2020

For the past few months, countless manufacturers worldwide have retooled to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of their stories.

What’s New With Cordless Tools

Today’s industrial-grade cordless tools combine higher torque and greater accuracy with advanced data-gathering capabilities

Jim Camillo

June 10, 2020

Few technologies achieve widespread manufacturing acceptance in their original form. Most require some sort of modification before they begin to be regularly used on an assembly line.

Updating Legacy Equipment for Industry 4.0

Many types of older assembly equipment can be IIoT-enabled quickly, easily and cost-effectively

Jim Camillo

May 15, 2020

"Out with the old, in with the new" is a catchy idiom. But, it can also be costly advice, especially for a manufacturer. Replacing its numerous older machines can cost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Welding in the Age of Industry 4.0

IIoT technologies offer several ways to improve the quality of manual, robotic and automated welding

Jim Camillo

May 15, 2020

Sir Humphry Davy did more than just invent electric welding in 1800 when he created electric arcs between two carbon electrodes using batteries. He set a precedent for welding innovation that continues to this day.

Edge Computing for Today’s Assembly Plant

Used within the IIoT, edge computing offers benefits that range from reducing network latency and plant accidents, to achieving predictive maintenance and maximizing uptime

Jim Camillo

May 15, 2020

Maybe the greatest benefit of a new technology is its lack of historical baggage, thereby enabling industry professionals to approach it with an open mind and a clean slate. Edge computing currently enjoys this status in manufacturing.

Wire Maker Gets Hooked on Robotic Bin Picking

Jim Camillo

May 12, 2020

Wire and spring makers do some quite-interesting work. Ace Wire Spring & Form Inc., for example, regularly turns thick wire into specialty hooks using a complex, multistep production process.

ERP Software a Growth Anchor for Fabrication-Assembly Shop

Jim Camillo

May 11, 2020

Diversification is just as important for company managers as it is for individual investors. Both parties know it helps ensure growth without being dragged down by any one declining market sector.

Governors Urge End to Boeing Strike

Boeing to Lay Off 17,000 Workers Amid Financial Struggles

XPENG AEROHT’s modular flying car “Land Aircraft Carrier, pre-sales slated for year-end.jpg

China Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility for Large-Scale Flying Car Production

Events

April 16, 2025

The ASSEMBLY Show South

Returning for its third year, The ASSEMBLY Show South is the premier event for assembly technology, featuring expert-led sessions, product demos, and valuable networking opportunities—all in the heart of Nashville’s thriving manufacturing hub.