There’s little doubt that the manufacturing industry is undergoing some seismic changes at the moment. Technological advances in automation, computing power and communications (the 4th industrial revolution) have made intelligent manufacturing and smart factories a reality. In a nutshell, smart factories employ advanced technology to optimize planning, production, transportation, and management processes. A recent report…

Over the years there have been plenty of false dawns with supposedly ‘revolutionary’ technology. Segways and maglev trains were supposed to revolutionize transport. Sony mini-discs were quickly superseded by the iPod. It’s easy to become skeptical when you hear about the next big thing. But some innovations are so powerful that it’s apparent they will…

Augmented reality, or AR for short, overlays virtual information over a user’s existing natural environment. Sound, graphics and touch feedback are seamlessly integrated to create an enhanced experience. The information overlaid is highly topical and relevant to what the user is doing. It ranges from simple text to instructions for complicated surgical procedures. Uses for…

CNC machines and automation have long been the bastion of success for growing shops. When a business can afford to add these tools to their shop, it usually means that they have had enough business to grow. But adding automation isn’t just for the major shops anymore. In the past, shops had to rely on…