Here’s a question for makers of minuscule moving machines—the kind being eyed for nanomanufacturing and assembly as well as other uses: Do you know where your micro- and nanorobots really are? Care to bet?

To help manufacturers adhere to new regulations intended to reduce the risk of lead poisoning in children, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed standard test samples of lead paint films of the sort sometimes found on

The electronics industry, perhaps more than any other, truly demonstrates the axiom that change is the only constant. Whether it's smart phones, medical devices, tablets, computers, or other consumer electronics, the one regular occurrence is change.

There are two things right now that get relatively bipartisan support in Washington, D.C. The first is that a major league baseball team in D.C. won a pennant for the first time since we stopped huddling around our radios for entertainment.

One of the many hidden challenges in hospital systems is to ensure required supplies are readily available and in the right quantity. Significant manpower is invested in material management so that patients receive care without interruption.

It’s funny, but when a bunch of lean thinkers gets together, they tend to be on the lookout for small improvements. Cumulatively these little issues give us headaches, and regrettably sometimes have far more serious consequences.

Like many things in the manufacturing world, the definition of “mobile data collection” depends on the company, environment, collection type, required functionality, and myriad variables.

It may seem dangerous to ask questions, especially in an environment that is hostile to change. The heart of improvement often lies in listening to many viewpoints in order to involve people affected by the outcome.

The electronics industry, perhaps more than any other, truly demonstrates the axiom that change is the only constant. Whether it’s smart phones, medical devices, tablets, computers, or other consumer electronics, the one regular occurrence is change.

In a harsh global economy, great service is the price of admission. Companies whose cultures aren’t built around the ability and the willingness—no, the eagerness—to delight the customer won’t survive. You know this.