“Be like water, my friend.”
– Bruce Lee
1. Automated Wood Reclamation
Bay Area startup Urban Machine uses robotics to reclaim construction wood from demolition and construction sites. The team has raised $5.6 million in seed funding and developed a production machine that uses metal detectors, X-ray inspection, and robotic arms to remove nails, screws, and staples from the wood. The reclaimed wood is higher quality than new wood, and the process saves carbon emissions and reduces new lumber production. The team initially plans to sell salvaged lumber but may turn to selling the tech.
2. Additive Sees More Military Adoption
Listen, I promise this is a good thing. The concern is valid, but DOD buy-in is ALWAYS the primary indicator of viable technology. Most recently, the U.S. Navy installed a Phillips Additive Hybrid metal 3D printing solution on board the USS Bataan. This project will enable the Navy to increase self-sufficiency and reduce supply chain timeframes. The benefits of this system are twofold: It increases operational availability while decreasing demand on conventional and Navy-specific supply chains.
3. ❤️ Robots + Additive ❤️
KUKA Systems and Ai Build have developed the AMCell_ series of turnkey, integrated 3D printing systems for educational and industrial use. The AMCell_small is designed for educational facilities and consists of the KUKA KR AGILUS 10 R900 robot, Ai Build's AiSync software, a non-planar extruder head, and periphery. The AMCell_ series will simplify and expand the use of 3D printing in academia and industry and enable the delivery of larger-scale projects, accelerated prototypes, and flexible and scalable processes.
4. Movie Time: Manufacturing the C8 Corvette
By the time you’re reading this – by the time this newsletter is published, I should be doing laundry and packing for Detroit! At least, I better be. This really got me in the mood for my trip, as I’ll be out there to film the third season of “Road Trippin’ with Steve”! Yes, I know Corvettes are assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and not Detroit, Michigan, but just like in this video, I’ll see some motors driving off the production line, a whole lot of robots, and more!
Read more here.
5. Double Feature: Marines > AI
I promise this isn’t an over-half-hour-long YouTube video like the C8 one. Also, I think there’s a bit of naughty language. Sorry, I don’t have baby ears; I’ve been a bit desensitized. I promise this video is worth your time. I know this isn’t the most manufacturing-related content here, but our industry has been talking about AI well before ChatGPT, and if ChatGPT is of concern to you, send the Marines. Have a great weekend and try to be safe!
Meme inspired and written by Nikki Gonzales, produced by yours truly, and approved by Jeff Burnstein (pictured).
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