Possible Tariffs a Concern as Auto Industry Runs Steady Possible U.S. automotive tariffs may upend what has been a steady performance by the U.S. and global auto industry, according to some speakers at a Center for Automotive Research event. “I’m a worry wart and this worries me a lot,” said Kristin Dziczek, vice president of industry, labor and economics for CAR. The U.S. Commerce Department has sent a report to President Donald Trump whether to impose tariffs on vehicles and parts for national security reasons. READ MORE

New, Replace, Repair Ball Screws Dynatect’s California & Michigan facilities provide fast ball screw repair service across the country, meaning less time in transit. Dynatect offers complete ball screw service: repair, rebuild, replacement, and manufacturing (new). Emergency reload service is available in as little as 24 hours to minimize downtime. New ball screws (from part, print, or specification) can be expedited in 2-4 weeks. LEARN MORE

Sensors: Out With the Old, In With the New Sensors are making their way deeper into process manufacturing where they monitor PH levels in vinegar, ensure towering bins of sugar aren’t overfilled and measure humidity in bakeries. Sensors are even helping power better mousetraps.Better sensor performance, improved Bluetooth technology, longer battery life and dramatically lower sensor prices are helping to power this transformation. READ MORE

Stanley+Techstars Accelerator: Learn More About the Program Global industry leader, Stanley Black & Decker and Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, have partnered to run the The STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator in Hartford, CT. Some areas we are interested in exploring include 3D printing, rapid prototyping, generative design, tooling, direct digital manufacturing and more. If you think you have a disruptive solution we look forward to your application. Join us for this live, interactive event to get your questions answered about the program and applications! REGISTER NOW

DMDII to Receive $10 Million From U.S. Defense Department The  U.S. Department of Defense is set to award $10 million in funding this year to the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in Chicago. The group is part of the Manufacturing USA network of manufacturing institutes which promote advances in technology. READ MORE

New Floating Clamps Adapt to Variety of Part Sizes Floating Clamps from Carr Lane Mfg. are position-flexible swing clamps with 110° rotation that both clamp AND support the workpiece. Ideal for clamping forgings, ribbed or flanged castings, and other larger parts, Floating Clamps act as additional support points and reduce machining vibration of thin, light workpieces. LEARN MORE

UL Opens Catalog of Safety Standards Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) said it will now offer open-access online views of its entire library of UL Safety Standards for any interested individual or organization globally. Through this measure, global users of any economic means will be able to find, reference and employ the entire library. UL has developed more than 1,400 standards to address safety, security and sustainability challenges. READ MORE

Verisurf Inspection and Measurement Software Verisurf Software is universally compatible with all new and legacy CMMs, providing a single inspection and measurement platform for: •   Automated Inspection and Quality Reporting •   3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering •   Tool Building and Guided Assembly Verisurf Software is built on a CAD platform and supports all digital measuring devices and CAD files, ensuring compatibility, flexibility and reduced training costs. 888-713-7201 LEARN MORE

Aerospace Turns to PVD Coatings to Replace Hard Chrome Replacing hard chrome with a suitable alternative remains a significant challenge for the aerospace industry because of its widespread use as a surface coating on many components. One alternative that is increasingly being utilized is physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings, a strong nonhazardous, REACH-conforming replacement option to hard chrome. PVD coatings offer many of the same benefits and, in some ways, are superior to hard chrome. READ MORE

Where Microns Matter: Optical Measuring Systems Optical measuring systems, which use light instead of touch, are becoming more widely used in manufacturing because of their faster speed, higher accuracy and ability to measure oddly shaped parts. Optical metrology is proving its value in the aerospace, automotive, electronics and medical sectors, as well as in precision engineering across all sectors, manufacturing leaders say. READ MORE

Vitrek – Leader in Electrical Safety & Tested Equipment for 25+ Years Vitrek is the leading manufacturer of High Voltage Test and Measurement equipment. Vitrek products are used by national testing labs, R & D departments and engineering labs in a variety of industries including compliance testing, photovoltaic, medical equipment, power conversion, electrical component and appliance manufacturing. Vitrek is also an ISO 17025 accredited calibration laboratory. Our advanced automated Electrical Safety Compliance Testers verify insulation integrity and ground bonding on a single device or a complex system. Our multi-point HV scanners automatically route voltages up to 15KV to hundreds of test points. Vitrek’s recent acquisition of the XiTRON brand of high performance instruments expands the company’s portfolio to include portable calibrators for thermocouple and millivolt DC calibration, ballast testers, LED illumination spectral analyzers, programmable DC electronic loads, phase-angle voltmeters and digital milliohmmeters. Vitrek supplies Precision High Voltage Measurement Standards to national laboratories and calibration labs around the world and our Graphical Power Analyzers set the standard for world class performance at a very economical price. In addition to manufacturing superior quality test and measurement equipment. LEARN MORE

Energy Storage Systems Can Help Calm Sea of Uncertainty For manufacturers, energy storage systems can provide two major benefits: cost effective support to critical equipment onsite and mitigating utility risk, writes Bonnie Lind, vice president of business development at Pathion Inc.By installing an energy storage system, manufacturers can ensure the best power, provide backup and monitor systems. READ MORE

Impact of Digital Transformation on the Employee Experience The manufacturing industry is undergoing a transformation. Digitization of plant floors – from the internet of things, to artificial intelligence, mobility, and machine connectivity, brings technology to the forefront of operational strategies. Smart factories are no longer a competitive distinction – they’re a must for any manufacturer. This webinar will discuss how technology affects the employee experience and how to manage the shift to new practices to ensure a highly engaged and productive workforce. REGISTER NOW