Our favorite CNC YouTuber, John Saunders of Saunders Machine Works, seems to be everywhere these days. He was recently featured in a New York Times story about the complex calculus small manufacturers face when they choose a location for their operations. It’s not always what you might expect: while real estate can be cheaper in rural areas, labor costs often aren’t, and access to infrastructure can hamper growth. And since 94% of all manufacturers in the United States are considered small, with 100 employees or less, it’s an issue that affects the entire industry. READ MORE >

AU 2018 is still a few months away, but with class selections announced and registration opening on August 8, it’s time to start thinking about the learning that lies ahead. What new skills and workflows will help you move ahead in your job? What big-picture perspectives can help you orient yourself and plan the next step in your career? How is your industry changing, and what technologies do you need to master to stay relevant? What classes will help you build on what you learned last year? What communities do you want to connect with better? These are the questions to keep in mind as you con... READ MORE >

And here we are—another year, another incredible batch of class proposals submitted for AU Las Vegas. The community voted and our partners, collaborators, and internal teams provided their input. And now the decisions have been made. These are not easy decisions, mind you. There were more than 2,200 proposals submitted, and we have room for fewer than 700 classes at the event. Far more amazing class ideas came in than we can fit into the 3 days. Notifications have gone out to those whose classes have been selected. Congratulations—we look forward to you having you as part of this year’s event. READ MORE >

There was a time when manufacturing and architecture didn’t have much in common—they were different industries using different workflows. And entertainment?  That was a galaxy far, far away. But times have changed. With new digital technologies, these industries are converging, learning from each other, and adopting shared approaches for making, building, and producing. In AEC, architects and contractors are increasingly turning to more modular, industrial approaches—creating building components that can be fabricated off-site, replicated easily, and fit together in repeatable ways that e... READ MORE >

“Immersive technologies give us a superpower—an agency to experience the future before it happens, to see the unseen,” says Brian Pene, director of emerging technology in engineering at Autodesk. With virtual reality (VR), we can view products before they’re manufactured, walk through structures before they’re built, and make changes in real time. With augmented reality (AR), we can have relevant data and designs associated with a thing or a place floating right in front of our eyes when we look at it—and control that data with just a blink. And the possibilities are just beginning. Learn how ... READ MORE >