Recently, Creaform’s Metrology Services division was contacted by a French electric power-generation company to inspect a set of hydraulic penstocks, or water channels. The targeted installation was suspected to be deformed after its 50 years of operation. Pressure changes, corrosion, temperature variations, mechanical damages, and deformation due to the weight of the huge pipes resting on concrete stands are among the many factors that could have caused deformations.

Timex is the United State’s leading watchmaker and is present in more than 80 countries. Fralsen, its French entity, makes watch movements using three technologies: plastic-injection moulding of small parts with very fine details; turning and cutting of parts such as wheels, pinions, arbors and rivets; and cutting and coiling of complex springs. These precision parts must be inspected with contact sensors (e.g., comparators, Cary equipment, feeler-spindles) and optical systems.

A lot of us have been following the advancements in 3D printing and have noted the variety of materials that can be used to create objects. The most common of these are plastic, nylon, and metal. One of the key expenses of 3D printing, other than the printer, of course, is the cost of the material. Other issues may include the ability to recycle scrap or consumables, toxicity, and the ability for precise, on-printer coloring of the finished object.

The École Nationale de Voile et des Sports Nautiques (ENVSN) is a sailing and nautical school in the small village of Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, in Brittany, France. Its mission is to provide expertise and high-level development in the fields of research, training, and innovation. The school additionally assists professionals, such as the French 470 sailing team, as it strives to adapt to ever-evolving nautical practices.

As your flight approaches the airport, the hydraulics sound from landing gear lowering provides reassurance. But as the plane touches down, an unexpected jolt and passengers’ squeals dash your calm. The plane’s forceful impact with the ground has resulted in what’s commonly referred to as a “hard landing,” and it’s considered to be a frequent incident. Every pilot will experience at least one hard landing during the course of his career.

Brilex Industries has established itself as a worldwide source for fabricating, machining, and complete machine assembly. Founded in 1996 by two brothers, Brian and Alex Benyo, Brilex has become known as one of Youngstown, Ohio’s most aggressive and fastest-growing companies. It has become a preferred full-service supplier to many leading OEMs and end users in the metals, rubber, plastics and glass, energy, and other capital-equipment industries.

NVision Inc. recently volunteered its 3D laser-scanning services to help Sarasota sculptor Greg Marra create an exact replica of the rifle that former Navy Seal Chris Kyle used while in the military.

A new report by researchers at MIT and elsewhere finds that the global manufacturing sector has made great strides in energy efficiency: The manufacturing of materials such as steel, cement, paper, and aluminum has become increasingly streamlined, requiring far less energy than when these processes were first invented.

Two major acquisitions were announced in early January 2013, and it is not surprising that both companies were software developers and long-time players in the industrial measurement sector.

Do you want to know a secret? It’s one that lean experts often overlook because nobody told them about it. However, before revealing it, we need to answer a couple of questions first.

• What is 5S?
• Why is 5S important to implement?
• Why do so many U.S. companies fail in 5S implementation?