Engineering & Construction

Females encompass only 14 percent of the construction industry’s employees. However, that number is only expected to grow as women take on more engineering and leadership roles. What is it like to work in the construction industry as a female leader, and how can other women make a career in this industry? On today’s episode […]

Women’s History Month, which kicks off each March after its official designation in 1987, is a great time to recognize the importance and value of women in the workforce. Construction is one industry striving to welcome more women into its field. As of 2020, women comprised only 9% of the construction industry. Celebrating its 35th […]

Thirty-two years after the release of Terminator 2, groundbreaking research in phase-shifting materials has made it possible for a real-life shape-shifting robot to exist. This new robot has the same ability as the T-1000 to transform into a liquid shape and pass through barriers. However, that’s where the similarities end. The new robot was […]

Altruism is the idea or practice of having a selfless concern for the benefit of others. It may also be defined as a concern for others’ well-being. The adaptability and versatility of modular buildings is one of their main benefits. They are easily expandable and customizable to meet shifting needs or specifications, and they can […]

The rapid increase of Mexican steel imports can have some dire consequences in the near future for the American economy. Several years ago the U.S. and Mexico agreed to a tariff deal that would allow Mexican steel to be imported duty-free into the U.S., while also under the terms that it would not exceed a […]

From hospitality to education and businesses large and small, the potential for generative AI solutions is getting a lot of attention thanks to the recent success of ChatGPT. One industry prime for AI augmentation is construction. In architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), AI technology is making it easier to understand project limitations and create […]

We all look forward to the end of winter. But warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and the opening of pools is not the only thing that comes with the melting snow. Spring means construction season, and construction season means crews are preparing for massive roadway construction projects to improve, expand and maintain the U.S.’ roadways. Improved […]

The number of job opportunities in construction are rising steadily. In what is being seen as a monthly trend, 25,000 new jobs were added in January 2023 alone. This data, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, also showed that total employment in this industry rose by nearly 300,000 between January 2022 and January […]

Twenty-seven years is a long time between friends. Michelle Bauer and Henry Denton should know; that’s how long each has been with Portacool, back when it was part of the General Shelters Group. Bauer, an Engineering Projects Coordinator, and Denton, an Engineer at Portacool, talked about Portacool’s rich history and the many changes along its […]

Innovation is an ongoing process and technology has made huge leaps in just the last 20 years because of that. Knowing how far technology has come and how simple it can be, why has nothing been done in the manufacturing space to lower the skills gap? Quality Digest says that we are “in the […]

A new surging economy is emerging in Detroit, MI. That emergence finds its roots embedded in Detroit’s past in manufacturing. That rich history is poised to rise again through advanced automation. Companies like Automation Alley, a nonprofit Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center and home to the World Economic Forum’s US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, want […]

Today, Indigenous people are dependent on funding and grants to run various programs within their communities. For Black Diamond Group (BDG) in Canada, their focus is on helping the Indigenous prosper through mutual partnership. So, why is it important to keep Indigenous groups at top of mind? As exclusion was formerly the norm, Canada now […]

Joe Gemma continued his discussion with Carl Doeksen, Global Robotics & Automation Director at 3M, on this second episode of moving from dangerous manual tasks to automation. “The other breakthroughs and many of the investments 3M is making through our corporate ventures group are in this no code / low code space,” Doeksen said. “Can […]

It’s double dose time on CalTV. Joe Gemma sat down with Carl Doeksen, Global Robotics & Automation Director at 3M, for an in-depth discussion on moving from dangerous manual tasks to automation that proved so informative it took two episodes to squeeze in all the valuable information. Doeksen, a thirty-year veteran at 3M, began his […]

For an episode of “Beyond the Concept” podcast, a show by Concept Systems, host Tyler Kern chatted with John Miller, the principal engineer at Rockwell Automations, and Jerry Flynn, the company’s principal controls engineer. The trio particularly discussed Programmable Numerical Control, mostly known by its initials, PNC, and how Rockwell has been a premier leader […]

Facilities can ill afford to have equipment go down with today’s supply chain challenges. Lost hours could quickly become lost days if a replacement is unavailable. Sam Cafferata, Principal Engineer at Concept Systems, spoke with Tyler Kern about this all-too-real issue and what facilities can do to ensure their equipment is up-to-date and in good […]

People want goods faster, cheaper, and easier. What else is new? But wanting it and making it happen are two different things. Manufacturing is always up for the task; thankfully, with today’s automated technology solutions, new ways of achieving those goals are at hand. Brian Reinhart, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Solutions with Hai Robotics, […]

In the latest episode of the podcast “Manufacturing a Stronger Standard,” host Derek DeGeest, President of DeGeest Corporation and LestaUSA, talked about robotic finishing and what needs to be discussed prior to creating painting programs and after. Despite the advanced technology available to support programming, there are still challenges we need to be aware of. He contended that “finishing is […]

Trade shows are a popular way for companies in certain industries that allow them to show off their products and services, and they are a powerful source of B2B revenue. In fact, they are the second largest source of B2B revenue in the U.S. The ProMat trade show is a one in the supply […]

Unless you’re in tech, software isn’t always the easiest to understand, let alone know what to put in place. Choosing the right kind of software for your distribution and fulfillment needs can feel like a daunting task – especially since there are three different categories. How do you know what the right investment is?  […]

As newer workers enter the workforce, more focus and value is put on company culture. A positive company culture directly relates to higher job satisfaction, which can have all sorts of positive effects. How has one man’s journey in the product design industry led him to truly value company culture? On the newest episode of […]

Due to both the higher interest rates on their own and the reduced spending that will be caused by the recession, non-residential construction will decline in the next year or so. Armstead Jones, President, Imagine Think Tank gives his perspective on why property owners are going to see a decline in construction revenues over the […]

How can engineer training programs keep up with evolving on-the-job needs and technology demands? Consumers and businesses alike are constantly pushing for faster technology, taller buildings and bigger advancements every day. In order to make these feats happen, there have to be engineers and specially-trained professionals behind every project, whose skill sets are rapidly […]

The modern project manager has changed in recent years as new variables have been introduced, and the world has been in flux. Like many roles, day-to-day schedules have become more hybrid and a project manager has to fill the gap because “You can’t rely on everyone hearing through the grapevine at the office anymore,” said […]

Smart security cameras have become the most purchased product in the security sector, and Zach Supalla, Founder & CEO, of Particle, shares what this means for the security industry. Zach’s Thoughts: There’s clearly a technological advancement, which is one, just the fact that security cameras have gotten to be really cheap. And connected cameras […]

Modular is having a moment and the motivations are clear. Modular is easy to assemble, adaptable and avoids supply chain disruptions. Now, Designed Conveyer Systems offers a modular conveyor system option. Host Tyler Kern spoke with Designed Conveyor System’s Todd Jones, VP of Project Delivery, and Meg Culler Smith, CP of Engineering on the topic […]

When the US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing launched in June, Cynthia Hutchison, the Head of the Centre, met up with me and Kevin Czinger, CEO of Divergent3D & Czinger Vehicles. Czinger is simply a phenomenon.  He comes from a proud family of mechanics and drag racers in Cleveland who influenced his interests at an early […]