A successful industry, whether it is the Aerospace or Power Generation, Petrochemical or Paper & Pulp and Automotive or Pharmaceutical, has to continue its operations round the clock, generally 365 days in the year. The system of periodic and routine inspection has to be built in so that the industry does not have to shut down. No matter which method is used, such routine inspections involve nondestructive testing (NDT) tools that could use ultrasonic testing, eddy current and magnetic testing among others.

However, there are occasions when destructive tests have to be carried out to confirm that the manufactured component will not fail while it performs within the envelope prescribed for it. Such testing comes under the purview of materials testing. There are occasions when it might become necessary to go deeper into the structure of the material in order to define its constituents, the standard of alloying or heat treatment and stress corrosion, extent of fatigue among others. This methodology is called materials analysis.

Materials testing is carried out in a metallurgical laboratory using sophisticated test equipment. The types of materials that could be tested include metals and their alloys, both ferrous and non-ferrous, ceramics and polymers. Generally such testing is destructive in nature and the results are compared with anticipated values. Thus the undercarriage of an aircraft could be subjected to repeated cyclic loading to confirm the point of failure under fatigue. A turbine blade sample could be placed under high temperature conditions to assess its resistance to creep. Similarly, materials testing could be carried out to assess the material’s properties of stress, impact, bendability UTS, weldability, proof load values and hardness among others.

Materials analysis on the other hand is a deeper form of testing and could involve the use of gas chromatography, electron microscope and spectroscopy among others. The simpler form of such analysis is carried out in a chemical or metallurgical laboratory where the material is analyzed to reveal its composition. Besides wet chemistry optical emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma spectrometer and other improved techniques of materials analysis could be used to achieve accurate figures.

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Manufacturing in New York Area Grows at Faster Pace (Update2)
June 15 (Bloomberg) — Manufacturing in the New York region expanded in June at a faster pace, signaling factories are weathering the turmoil in financial markets and driving the economic recovery.

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iRobot Announces Manufacturing Services Agreement with Jabil
BEDFORD, Mass.—-iRobot Corp. , a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced that it has entered into a manufacturing services agreement with Jabil Circuit, Inc. .

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Hewlett-Packard is one of the biggest PC brands world-wide. Yet, it does not directly manufacture most of the computers and products it sells. This report details HPs outsourcing activities by listing the OEM partners (by product and vendor) that manufacture and supply HP branded notebooks, desktops, scanners, LCD TVs, monitors, etc. as well as those that supply key components that go into those products. This report details 189 OEM/ODM deals… More >>

Outsourcing Profile of Hewlett-Packard – 2005: Contract manufacturing partners listed per product/component

Gary MIntchell, Editor in Chief, offers his thoughts on automotive manufacturing pondering post by Kevin Kelly, is large petrochemical peaking for a new reality in process, networking, Ethernet, wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things.

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Applied Materials Expands Display, Solar Equipment Manufacturing Capability in Taiwan
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January machine tool numbers, CFO survey paint an improving picture for U.S. manufacturing.

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In this new book, Susan E. Mucha explores in great detail the entire account acquisition process of companies in the electronics manufacturing service (EMS) industry. EMS companies face the challenges of a 12- to 18-month sales cycle, low margins and geographically scattered customer bases. Growing the business requires a differentiation strategy and a focused process for maintaining mindshare within a diverse target market. Susan Mucha maps the process of building… More >>

Find It. Book It. Grow It.: A Robust Process for Account Acquisition in Electronics Manufacturing Services

AmCon offers attendees a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of manufacturing options, both new and traditional, and find the best processes and materials for specific applications. Attendees view actual samples of products that have been produced for other OEMs in their industry and can get quotes on current projects and compare quality, pricing, and lead times from multiple vendors all in a few hours.

The benefits of attending a regional AmCon show are significant. The AmCon Texas Contract Manufacturing Expo will be held in Houston, TX on                    October 29-30, 2008 at the Reliant Center at Reliant Park – Hall A2.  According to Kati Olson, President, “AmCon is the only show in Texas where job shops and contract manufacturers can meet face-to-face with serious OEM buyers of custom manufacturing services from the region.”

Below is a sampling of major manufacturers that have sent engineers and buyers to the show:  Alamo Industrial, Applied Optoelectronics, Baker Hughes, Baker Oil Tools, BJ Services, Boeing, Bray Controls, CSC Applied Technology, Canrig Drilling, Caterpillar, Conbraco Industries, CUMSA Distribution, Corpus Christi Army Depot, Cypress Semiconductor, Dresser, E.G.C. Plastics, Emerson Process Mgt., Exxon Mobil, Fairfield Industries, FMC Technologies, ,  Formosa Plastics, GE, General Motors, Halliburton, Hewlett Packard, Hydril, Igloo, Invocon

Jacobs Technology, Leggett & Platt, Letourneau Technologies, MCFA-Mitsubishi Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, NASA, National Oilwell Varco, Owen Oil Tools, Pathfinder Energy, Raytheon, Robbins & Myers Fluid Mgt., Reliant Energy,  Sanmina SCI, Schlumberger, Siemens, Smith International, Spacehab, Stewart CableStewart & Stevenson, Takata Seat Belt, Terex Reedrill, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toshiba International, Tyco Electronics, UTMD Anderson Cancer Center, Union Tank Car, United Space Alliance, Vetco Grey, Weatherford International, Wyle Laboratories, and Wolverine.

In addition to these major manufacturers, there were many engineers/buyers that visited from mid-size companies from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and throughout the Southwest.  Engineers and buyers attending an AmCon Contract Manufacturing Expo can find one or multiple sources to take a project from concept or prototype to finished product quickly and at competitive prices. OEMs can find sources for engineering, design, prototypes, forming, fabricating, machining, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing services all under one roof. Whether looking for one part or production runs, attendees find multiple sources from which to choose.  Only AmCon shows provide a “hands on” one-on-one education. Since the exhibits are staffed with top management and technical personnel, attendees have an in-depth discussion regarding project design, materials and production issues. AmCon shows are free, including seminars on a variety of manufacturing processes and quality issues.   To register for the Houston, Texas event go to: www.AmConshows.com.

AmCon

www.amconshows.com

Kati Olson, President

news@amconshows.com

978-744-7680