Innovation & Technology Watch
January 2006
Manufacturing Information for Successful Companies
Recent Articles, Books, Reports, & Web Links
If you wish to receive a copy of any of the articles listed on this page, please highlight the citation(s) and
copy into an e-mail addressed to library@itc.mb.ca or call (204) 480-0336.
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
FEA OPTIMIZES AIRFRAME PANELS
R. Muzzolini
Advanced Materials & Processes, November 2005, p. 37
Alcan Aerospace has automated the finite element analysis of structural airframe panels by developing a
subroutine in the MSC.Marc development tool they use for product development. The subroutine reduces
the meshing and processing time from one month to a single day or less for each panel. The simulation
tool speeds optimization of buckling, fatigue crack growth, and residual strength properties of the
aluminum panels.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
REALITY FINALLY BITES
A. Connell
IEE Review, December 2005, p. 36
Virtual reality is contributing to all aspects of product design and development. More than just a
prototyping tool, VR is being used to gain productivity by being further integrated into the whole product
lifecycle.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
TAKING THE NANOPULSE -- YOUR FIRST NANO-BASED PRODUCT
S. Rickert
IndustryWeek.com, 11/2/05
If you don't already know it, nanotechnology could make a world of difference in your product(s). One of
the best ways to evaluate how nanotech can fit into your company is to create a supplier partnership with
a nanotechnology company. But, how do you choose a partner who can help you achieve your goals?
Where do you start? The author offers some advice on how to get going.
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10940
TAKING THE NANOPULSE -- NANOTECHNOLOGY. GOOD AND GREEN.
S. Rickert
IndustryWeek.com, 12/2/05
In this second part in the series on nanotechnology, the author reviews some of the environmental
questions and issues surrounding nanotechnology, such as in materials.
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=11084
B2B / E-Business in Manufacturing
FINANCING FOR AN ON-DEMAND WORLD
J. Callies
IndustryWeek.com, 10/5/05
No matter the size of your company, your industry, or the scope of your IT project, innovative and flexible
financing solutions play a crucial role in acquiring the technology needed to stay competitive and on
budget.
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10813
LEADERS SUPPORTING GROWTH WITH IT
D. Bartholomew
IndustryWeek.com, 11/1/05
Manufacturers that run a profitable operation generally tend to be savvy users of IT and have been
careful to pull in the reins on technology spending wherever possible in recent years. This article
describes some successful applications of IT - from software support for lean to portals to SAP.
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=10869
SOFT-SELL SITES
Technology Review, 1/3/06
Perhaps you've noticed - more and more companies are using online magazines, entertainment, and
information to attract customers. Gone are the hard sell sites, blatant in promotion of their own brands.
Now the customer goes to your web site to play a game, get a recipe or coupon, find how-to tips for using
your products. It's all about the consumer; and the consumer is looking for anything new and engaging.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
WIRELESS APPLICATIONS: REACHING DEEPER FOR DATA
J. Katz
IndustryWeek.com, 1/1/06
Emerging WI-FI, RFID and bar code technologies increase mobility in the plant. Gartner Group states,
"Companies are trying to extend the capabilities of their people. They're using mobile and wireless
technology to get data from places they've never been able to get if from before, and get it to places
they've never been able to get it to before."
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=11194
Design for Environment
IF THE SHOE FITS: REFASHIONING PLM FOR RETAIL, FOOTWEAR AND APPAREL INDUSTRIES
K. Wong
Cadalyst, December 2005, p. 42
What kind of a PLM system takes into account the unique characteristics and practices of the footwear
and apparel industries? This article reviews 2 systems available.
* Read online: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/cadalyst1205/index.php
NANOWASTE: THE NEXT BIG THREAT?
S. Mraz
Machine Design, 11/17/05, p. 46
Even the smallest particles add up in quantity. And, if you believe the forecast regarding
nanotechnology's future, there may be some issues as to how these nano-sized particles will behave in
the environment and on humans. For example, researchers have found evidence of the impact of nanoC60 on human liver and skin cells. The bad news is that there is no way to trace these minute particles,
never mind remediate. The good news is, although the "nano" prefix has just recently been used to
describe these particles, people have been creating and using nanomaterials for thousands of years and
so much has already been looked into regarding environmental and health issues.
* Read online: http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp?strArticleId=59554&strSite=MDSite&catId=0
High Performance Manufacturing
CELLULAR MANUFACTURING: PART 1 - WHAT'S IT TO YOU?
T. Dossenbach
Wood & Wood Products, November 2005, p. 29
Implementing work cells can reduce inventory, rejects, materials handling and delivery times. In this
article, the author illustrates the "old Roman Legion" plant operation, which many are still using, and then
compares it to the alternative cellular manufacturing.
* Read online: http://www.iswonline.com/wwp/200511/manage_cellular1.cfm
EASING INTO E-KANBAN
B. Vernyi, T. Vinas
IndustryWeek/IW, December 2005, p. 32
Kanban traditionally uses cards, flags, or something similar to indicate that supplies are needed at a
specific point in production. As plants become more dependent on computers and electronic exchange of
information, some have tried to incorporate kanban into the existing infrastructures. Switching to ekanban has the potential to increase visibility and decrease costs.
* Read online: http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=11009
'EVENT LEAN' PREVENTS A COMPANY FROM BECOMING GENUINELY LEAN
Flinchbaugh & Carlino
Lean Directions, 12/9/05
Event lean is a great way to get started; but can it make a company truly lean? Genuine lean is built into
an organization's culture, people, planning, problem-solving—everything its people do, touch, or say.
This article is excerpted from the new book "Hitchhikers Guide to Lean," where authors tell why event
lean is bad, even though it produces results.
* Read online: http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-newsletter.pl?LEAN&20051209&1&&RRS=1
FORD'S FLEXIBLE FUTURE
M. Venables
Manufacturing Engineer, Dec./Jan. 2005/06, p. 36
Ford's Chicago assembly plant is Ford's oldest operating plant; but today it is also operating with Ford's
newest flexible manufacturing system, producing three new models off the same basic platform. A
flexible body shop, final assembly area, and flexible tooling, enable the plant to quickly change over and
build up to 8 different models on two platforms.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
QUALITY CONTROL FOR COMPOSITE BOAT FABRICATION: 10 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL
SYSTEM
S. Lewit
Composites Manufacturing, October 2005, p.40
The boating industry needs to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the entire boating experience in
order to "grow boating." Many boat fabrication companies fail to recognize the importance of having a
formal quality control system in place. Without it, customer satisfaction cannot be ensured. QC also
provides benefits to other areas of the business, such as product liability, product integrity, warranty and
rework costs, and safety.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
TPS VS. LEAN AND THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Superfactory, December 2005
Looking lean vs. Being lean – The author’s visit to a Toyota plant reveals may aspects that make the
Toyota Production System as successful as it is lauded to be. But many of the obvious elements of lean
appear to be missing. Does that mean that TPS is not lean? The author outlines the difference in TPS
and Lean and how there are elements of TPS that should be incorporated into the Lean philosophy.
* Read online: http://www.superfactory.com/articles/smalley_tps_vs_lean.htm
Material Advances
A BETTER WAY TO FIX BONES
M. Walter
Machine Design, 12/8/05, p. 90
Recent tests on an essentially nickel-free stainless alloy shows it is significantly stronger, with fatigue and
corrosion resistance, than any of the nickel stainless alloys currently being used in biomedical implants
and medical devices.
* Read online: http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp?strArticleId=59616&strSite=MDSite&Screen=CURRENTISSUE&CatID=3
HOW COMPOSITES ENTREPRENEURS CAN NURTURE INNOVATION, INVENT ON DEMAND,
INCORPORATE VALUE ADDS, SOLVE CRITICAL CHALLENGES, GET IDEAS TO MARKET, AND
LEAP FROG THE COMPETITION
Z. Bar-El
Composites Manufacturing, October 2005, p. 131
It's either a tall order or a recipe for success. Ideation's TRIZ is a knowledge-based problem-solving
methodology that "offers the only operating system for innovation available today." I-TRIZ helps
companies control their marketplace with intellectual property management.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article or go to http://www.ideationtriz.com/ for further info.
TAKE THE TEST: HOW BOATBUILDERS CAN ENHANCE QUALITY, LOWER COST, AND
INCREASE SALES
S. Lewit
Composites Manufacturing, October 2005, p. 34
Laminate testing can make a contribution to the improvement of boat construction as well as improve
manufacturing cost; and it should be part of every composite boat builder's operation. This article reviews
an appropriate test program, which tests are used, how, and why.
* Contact the ITC Library to obtain article.
Manufacturing News
SR&ED Tax Credits for Production!
Did you know that your company may qualify for federal research and development (R&D) tax credits
– even if you are not a high tech company?
Available to almost any company regardless of size, you should note that the most important benefit
is the investment tax credits, which reduce income tax liability dollar for dollar. IF the available
credits exceed the amount of taxes owing, the credits could even be claimed as cash refunds.
Eligibility:
Experimental development to achieve technological advancement to create new materials,
devices, products, or processes, or improve existing ones;
Applied research to advance scientific knowledge with a specific practical application in view;
Basic research to advance scientific knowledge without a specific practical application in
view; and
Support work in engineering, design, operations research, mathematical analysis, computer
programming, data collection, testing, or psychological research, but only if the work is
commensurate with, and directly supports, the eligible experimental development, or applied
or basic research.
So, developing a new product or improving an existing product, improving production methods, or
working to reduce environmental impact of your manufacturing process can qualify. R&D is defined as
“a systematic investigation or search carried out in a field of science or technology by means of
experiment or analysis.”
Criteria:
Advancement – You must be trying to create something new, a product or an improvement.
Uncertainty – There must be an element of scientific or technological uncertainty in the
endeavour. In other words, you are unsure in the beginning whether you will be able to
achieve your goals.
Content – The project must be a systematic investigation – hypothesis, testing, to conclusion
must be documented.
For more information on the federal R&D Tax Credit, go to:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/taxcredit/sred/aboutus-e.html
Events & Learning Opportunities
Lean Manufacturing Best Practice Tour
Monarch Industries
January 11, 2006
Details: www.cme-mec.ca
Innovation Insights Tours - Canada Post Corporation
January 17, 2006
Contact the ii team at (800) 999-4129 or www.tvp-ii.ca
Lean Principles 101 – 1-day workshop
January 17, 2006
Details: www.cme-mec.ca
Building Participation Workshop Series
January 17 & 31, 2006
Details: www.cme-mec.ca
Problem-Solving in Manufacturing
January 18, 2006
Details: www.cme-mec.ca
Shop Floor Leadership Course
January 30 – February 3, 2006
Details: www.cme-mec.ca
Innovation Insights Tours - E.H. Price Limited
February 2, 2006
Contact the ii team at (800) 999-4129 or www.tvp-ii.ca
Manufacturing & Trade Summit
February 16, 2006
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Manitoba
Contact: 949-1454 or tammy.oakes@cme-mec.ca
Innovation Insights Tours - Cascades Boxboard Winnipeg
February 21, 2006
Contact the ii team at (800) 999-4129 or www.tvp-ii.ca
Building a Resilient Organizational Culture
March 7, 2006
Manitoba Quality Network
Details: http://www.qnet.mb.ca/
Innovation Insights Tours - Boeing Canada Technology
March 15, 2006
Contact the ii team at (800) 999-4129 or www.tvp-ii.ca
Measure Up for Success
Success in Manufacturing Begins at Home
June 12-15, 2006
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
Details: www.measureupforsuccess.com