Today's Manufacturing Pulse
Stellantis to pour $1.08B into next‑gen EV line at Mulhouse plant
President Emmanuel Macron announced Stellantis will invest more than €1 billion (about $1.08 billion) in a next‑generation electric‑vehicle production line at its Mulhouse facility, slated to start in 2029 as part of France’s push to electrify two‑thirds of new cars by 2030.
Also developing:
By the numbers: TIEA Connectors raises $8M Series A
BLOG | ‘Do You Choose 1 Giga-Tractor or 3 Smaller Autonomous Tractors?’
John Deere unveiled the 8R 540, a 634‑hp tractor weighing 17 tonnes and priced around $674,000, signaling a push toward larger, premium equipment. In contrast, Sabanto’s retrofit system lets existing tractors run autonomously, allowing a grower to replace a 750‑hp machine with three 175‑hp autonomous units and save roughly $1 million. Sabanto has already converted over 200 tractors across North America and Australia. The industry now watches whether high‑cost flagship models or cost‑effective autonomous retrofits will dominate farm purchases.
Robotic Hand Gets Skin‑Like Cover, Warmcore Tech
wrapping a robotic hand in skin, where have I seen this before Co: Warmcore Tech
Secure at First Silicon: Reducing Cost and Risk
Side‑channel leakage often surfaces only after first silicon, forcing expensive redesigns. The Inspector Pre‑Silicon framework embeds side‑channel analysis into RTL and gate‑level verification, generating test vectors and statistical metrics to identify leakage early. By providing actionable, module‑level insights throughout the...
Glomar and Cobalt Blue Target US Refinery for Seabed Mineral Processing
Glomar Minerals and Cobalt Blue Holdings are advancing a U.S. refinery to process polymetallic nodules harvested from the Pacific Ocean seabed. The plant is designed for an initial 200,000 tonnes per year capacity, with development costs projected under $500 million. A...
Taoiseach Concerned at Reports Aughinish Plant Supplying ‘Russian War Effort’
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed concern after an Irish Times investigation linked the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick to Russia’s war effort. The refinery, owned by Russian‑controlled Rusal, ships large volumes of raw alumina to Russian smelters, where it becomes aluminium...
Thermocool to Invest Approx Rs 40 Cr to Set up New Manufacturing Plant
Thermocool Home Appliances Ltd announced plans to invest up to Rs 40 crore (≈ $4.8 million) in a new 2‑acre manufacturing facility. The plant will boost annual capacity to 3‑5 lakh air coolers, fans and small appliances, raising daily output from 2‑3 k to 5‑6 k units....
Best Practices: Depalletizing Moves Into the Automation Era
Lakeside Book Company partnered with FANUC, APT Manufacturing and FlexPAC to replace manual depalletizing with an AI‑driven robotic system. The solution eliminates the handling of more than 45 million pounds of product each year—about $58 million in lifted weight—and now processes over...
Evolution Toward Multi-Sensor Measurement Reflects a Broader Transformation in Industrial Metrology
Manufacturers are moving from single‑technology metrology to multi‑sensor systems that blend high‑speed optical inspection with tactile probing. VICIVISION’s integrated solution captures full part geometry optically while using a probe for critical features, eliminating the need for separate machines. This single‑environment...
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Plans New Czech Assembly Plant
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks announced a new assembly plant in Cheb, Czech Republic, slated to begin construction in 2027 with production starting by the end of the decade. The facility will add roughly 25,000 trucks per year, handling both conventional and electric...
Productivity Solution: Moen Boosts Throughput with Automated Storage
Moen, a leading North American faucet brand, overhauled its West Coast distribution by consolidating operations into a new Las Vegas hub built with FORTNA. The facility employs an AutoStore high‑density robotic storage system and integrated warehouse execution software to streamline receiving,...
The Hidden History Behind Apple’s Manufacturing Power
Apple’s manufacturing dominance stems from a decades‑long partnership with contract manufacturers, most notably Foxconn, which assembles the bulk of iPhones and Macs. The company built a sprawling supply chain across China, securing component suppliers that deliver at massive scale and...
America Is Losing the Innovation Race
China has transformed from a manufacturing hub into an innovation powerhouse, outpacing the United States in electric vehicles, batteries, robotics, next‑generation nuclear power and hypersonic missiles. The surge stems from a decade‑long, state‑driven strategy that funds basic research, talent development...
Do Shops Need More Machinists or Better Tooling?
Machine shops face a growing shortage of skilled machinists, prompting owners to seek ways to sustain productivity. One practical solution is upgrading to high‑accuracy, precise, and stable cutting inserts that minimize offset adjustments. Horn’s inserts, manufactured to tolerances as tight...
TSMC to Mass‑Produce 3nm in Japan by 2028
TSMC to mass-produce 3nm in Japan by 2028 (15k wafers/mo). Macro: advances node capacity and onshoring. Risks: capex, execution, geopolitics. Trade: overweight semiconductor equipment. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Verisurf 2026 Precision Meets Innovation
Verisurf 2026 launches with a suite of new features that embed metrology directly into digital manufacturing workflows. The platform promises faster inspection, greater visibility, and tighter process control, helping manufacturers cut costs and reduce cycle times. By integrating measurement data throughout...
Porsche Design Moves Watch Production to Grenchen, Switzerland
Porsche Design, the luxury timepiece arm of German automaker Porsche, announced the relocation of its watch manufacturing to a new, integrated facility in Grenchen, Switzerland. The move consolidates production, development and quality control under one roof, underscoring the brand’s commitment...
Uber and Rivian Commit $1.25 B to Launch Autonomous Rides in Miami by 2028
Uber announced a $1.25 billion investment in Rivian to field 10,000 autonomous R2 SUVs in Miami starting in 2028, with a roadmap to 25 U.S. cities by 2031. The partnership marks the first major driverless‑taxi rollout in South Florida, directly challenging...
China's Bizarre Shape-Shifting Robot Grows And Changes Like A Human
Researchers at Southern University of Science and Technology unveiled GrowHR, a 10‑pound humanoid robot that can physically expand and contract like a human limb. Its legs use inflatable chambers wrapped in fabric, allowing them to stretch up to three times...
Force Chinese OEMs to US Production, Transfer IP
I think we should rip a page from the Chinese playbook and tell Chinese OEMs if they want to sell to American consumers, they must open up production in the US with an American OEM. As part of that arrangement,...
Robotic Plastering Machine Automates Construction Wall Finishes
#Robotic Wall Plastering Machine Brings Automation to Construction by @gigadgets_ #EmergingTech #Innovation #TechForGood #Technology https://t.co/EFTR19x6GH
The Petrochemicals Shock That Is Already Rippling Through Plastics
The war in Iran is throttling global oil supplies, which also serve as the primary feedstock for petrochemicals. This disruption has sent polyethylene prices soaring, with some Asian producers announcing force majeure and cutting output. Analysts warn that a significant...
Perovskite Solar Cells Produced Without Costly Cleanrooms
Perovskite solar cells can be made without expensive cleanrooms #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/tvnjNDXxGN
EPA Wants to Let Plastic Incinerators Skirt Clean Air Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed removing plastic‑pyrolysis facilities from the Clean Air Act’s incinerator definition, effectively stripping them of federal emission controls. The change is tucked inside a natural‑disaster permitting rule, prompting criticism that it was hidden from...
Manufacturing Slips Into Contraction as Inflation Pressures Mount, S&P Global Says
Australia’s manufacturing PMI slipped to 49.8 in March, pushing the sector back into contraction for the first time since early 2024. New orders fell for the first time in five months while production declined for a second straight month, reflecting...
AI Surge Pressures TSMC, Gives Samsung a Shot at Advanced Chip Lead
A wave of AI-driven chip orders is squeezing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) foundry capacity, prompting customers to look beyond its 70% market share. Samsung Electronics is poised to win new advanced‑node business as it ramps up 2‑nanometer production and...
China’s Lijian‑2 Rocket Completes Maiden Flight, Debuts Common Booster Core
China’s Lijian‑2 carrier rocket successfully launched on March 30, marking the first flight of a vehicle built around a 3.35 m common booster core (CBC) design. The 53‑metre, 625‑ton rocket can deliver up to 8 t to a 500 km sun‑synchronous orbit and...
Saronic Raises $1.75B at $9.25B Valuation to Gear up Autonomous Ship Production
Saronic Technologies announced a $1.75 billion Series D round, valuing the autonomous shipbuilder at $9.25 billion. The funding will accelerate production of unmanned vessels for defense and commercial markets, including the newly unveiled 180‑foot Marauder built in under six months. Saronic also secured...
More than 50 Years Supporting the Auto Salvage Industry
Since its founding in 1972, SAS Forks has transitioned from a modest auto‑salvage yard to a full‑line manufacturer of specialized attachments for the scrap recycling sector. Over five decades the company expanded its product line from 15‑foot forks to hydraulic...
AWG to Deploy Symbotic Automation in Louisiana Support Center
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has signed a strategic partnership with robotics firm Symbotic to install an AI‑enabled, high‑density automation system at its Gulf Coast Division Support Center in Pearl River, Louisiana. The 114,000‑square‑foot facility, which currently processes over 22 million dry‑grocery...
You’ve Got the PLC Sorted. But What About the Power Feeding It?
North American industrial automation projects must consider not only PLC programming but also the power distribution panel certified to UL 891. An uncertified distribution panel can stall inspections, cause power‑quality issues, and jeopardize PLC reliability. Obtaining both UL 891 (distribution) and UL 508A...
Spider‑Inspired Robot 3D‑Prints Buildings From Local Materials
Spider-Inspired #Robot #3D Prints Buildings Using On-Site Materials via @ZappyZappy7 #3Dprinted #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/6F1NxzmQpx
Caught Between Airbus and Airlines, Pratt Prioritizes the Grounded Fleet
Pratt & Whitney is wrestling with a powder‑metal contamination problem that has grounded more than 2,000 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The issue affects the PW1100G engine, which powers roughly 46% of the 4,400 Neo deliveries since 2016. While Airbus pushes for...
Tax Incentives Boost Industrial Activity, Freight Data Confirms
It makes sense that industrials have been ramping over the last few months. The One Big Beautiful Bill provided one of the biggest tax incentive packages in history to drive manufacturing investments. The freight data suggests it is working as...
Control Framework Lets Flexible Robots Move in Tight Spaces with Less Math
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar unveiled a virtual actuation space (VAS) framework that simplifies control of tendon‑driven continuum robots (TDCR). By representing each robot section with just direction and magnitude, VAS eliminates the need for complex infinite‑degree‑of‑freedom...
How Technology Is Changing Manufacturing Construction
Manufacturers are arriving at design firms with high‑level concepts, forcing teams to use AI‑driven modeling and real‑time cost intelligence to iterate rapidly. Projects now embed flexible structural grids, utility corridors and expandable envelopes to accommodate evolving production lines. Integrated delivery...
Manufacturing Deal Signed Between Bioxyne and Aurora Cannabis for Medicinal Products
Bioxyne Limited’s subsidiary Breathe Life Sciences signed a manufacturing agreement with Aurora Cannabis to produce GMP‑certified medicinal cannabis oils for Australia, with initial deliveries already completed. The contract also foresees adding GMP‑manufactured vape products for Australia, the United Kingdom and...
New ZEISS Crossbeam 750 FIB-SEM for High-Accuracy Sample Preparation Workflows
ZEISS introduced the Crossbeam 750 FIB‑SEM, a focused ion beam‑scanning electron microscope optimized for high‑accuracy sample preparation. The system features Gemini 4 electron optics and a high‑dynamic‑range Mill + SEM that provides a live, high‑resolution SEM view during any milling condition, enabling real‑time endpoint...
Lineage: Food and Beverage Companies Are Prioritizing Resilience
Food and beverage companies are prioritizing supply‑chain resilience, boosting investments in data, AI and automation, and deepening collaboration with third‑party logistics providers. A Lineage cold‑chain survey of 1,000 North‑American decision‑makers cites tariffs, regulation and geopolitical shifts as the top volatility...
SK Hynix Orders Hybrid Bonding Equipment From Applied Materials and Besi
South Korean memory maker SK hynix has ordered a hybrid bonding inline system co‑developed by Applied Materials and BE Semiconductor Industries, valued at roughly 20 billion won. The equipment combines CMP and plasma modules with Besi’s die‑bonder, enabling mass‑production of next‑generation...
Tesla Targets 100 GW U.S. Solar Capacity by 2028
Tesla advances plan to build 100 GW of U.S. PV manufacturing capacity by 2028 #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/BLs5NqxfHH
Podcast–Why AI?
The Manufacturing Connection released podcast episode 275, titled “Why AI in Manufacturing? Why not?” The host explores how emerging AI tools can augment knowledge work and manufacturing, while stressing the need for hands‑on experimentation to discover effective use cases. The discussion...
APA Solar Expands Manufacturing Campus in Ohio
APA Solar expands manufacturing campus in Northwest Ohio #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/LAbOEhlXCp
ClassNK Approves Corrosion-Resistant Cable for Offshore Wind Use
ClassNK has granted both a Manufacturing Procedure Approval and a Type Approval for KOBELCO Wire Company's new semi‑parallel wire cable (SPWC), marking the society’s first endorsement of this corrosion‑resistant product. The cable features 7 mm galvanized steel wires coated in polyethylene,...
Emerson Launches New, Easily Configurable Welding Platform, Fully Adaptable to Evolving Manufacturing Needs
Emerson introduced the Branson™ Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform, a highly configurable system that can be assembled from a benchtop prototype to a fully automated production line. The platform combines modular power supplies, controllers and actuators with real‑time software control, enabling...
New Guidelines Aim to Improve Manufacturing of Solar, Battery and EV Systems
The Australian government has published 18 initial Consumer Energy Resource (CER) device requirements to steer design and manufacturing of solar inverters, battery storage and electric‑vehicle systems. The guidance focuses on interoperability, ensuring devices can communicate across manufacturers and energy providers...
CSIRO Highlights Opportunities in Graphite Manufacturing for Clean Energy
CSIRO says Australia’s abundant graphite resources present a strategic chance to build domestic battery‑grade processing capability. While global demand for lithium‑ion anodes surges with electric‑vehicle growth, about 95% of refining is done in China, leaving a supply‑chain risk. The agency...
Corning, Meta Begin North Carolina Cable Manufacturing Facility Expansion
Corning and Meta have broken ground on a major expansion of Corning's optical‑fiber manufacturing in Hickory, North Carolina, under a multiyear agreement worth up to $6 billion. The new capacity is expected to lift Corning's North Carolina workforce by 15‑20 percent, creating...
AREX400 AF - EASY MULTI-LEVEL MARKING. FIT THE TIGHTEST SPACES. AUTOMATE WITHOUT LIMITS.
Datalogic unveiled the AREX400 AF, a fiber‑laser marking system that adds software‑controlled Adjustable Focus, covering a ±20 mm to ±60 mm range. The technology eliminates manual refocusing, allowing instant focus changes via LIGHTER™ 9 software and supporting multi‑level parts in a single cycle. Weighing...
Fertilizer Matters EP44: Chinese Ammonia Market
In this episode, Argus senior reporter Denise Cheng talks with ammonia market editor Roof Sharp about the launch of Argus' new China FOB ammonia price assessment and the shifting dynamics of China's ammonia trade. China, once a major importer, is...
Vietnam Takes Assembly, China Still Supplies Parts
Shift from China to Vietnam. Talking about assembly of finished units. What about parts, assemblies, components, etc—the upstream supply chain? Do those still come from China?