Week 5 in Manufacturing News

The Silver Lining In The U.S. Manufacturing Slowdown

The weight of data now suggests that American industry is slowing its pace of production. Economic slowdowns are always painful, even if they don’t lead to recession. 

But by treating weakness as an opportunity, manufacturers can invest in technology that will greatly strengthen their operations. 3D Printing can add resilience. Many companies have already begun adopting 3D printing, or more generally additive manufacturing.
Full article on Forbes.

UK automotive on red alert as ‘no deal’ threat sees manufacturing and investment plummet

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show British car production fell to its lowest level for five years in 2018. 1,519,440 new cars left UK factories, a decline of -9.1%, and the second consecutive annual fall as the sector faces multiple challenges.
Full press release on SMMT.

China says its manufacturing activity contracted for the second-straight month in January

Chinas manufacturing activity contracted for the second-straight month in January. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for January was 49.5, according to the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics. That’s higher than the 49.3 expected by analysts in a Reuters poll, and the 49.4 reported in the previous month when China’s manufacturing PMI fell into contraction territory for the first time since July 2016.
Full article on CNBC.

MIT’s robot might have the magic touch for manufacturing

Robots that possess a sense of “touch” in addition to more common traits like an ability to see and grab a hold of things are becoming more common, and are bringing with them all kinds of new possibilities.
Full Article on New Atlas.