Assembly Planbook - July 2008 - (Page 39)

the coming months. Manufacturers of medical equipment, devices and instruments (19 percent) will be the heaviest users of RFID technology. Many manufacturers are also turning to evolving technologies, such as nanotechnology, to gain a competitive edge in today’s competitive marketplace. After years of development, nanotechnology is finally beginning to go mainstream. In fact, Lux Research Inc. (New York) claims that more than $50 billion in nano-enabled products were sold worldwide last year. The transition from lab to marketplace matches a historical pattern previously seen in fields such as plastics and biotech. According to the State of the Profession survey, use of nanotechnology continues to increase in various manufacturing sectors. In this year’s study, 8 percent of respondents claim they are using nanotechnology vs. 5 percent in 2007 and 3 percent in 2006. Eleven percent of respondents at large manufacturers claim they will implement the technology in their plants or products during the next 12 months vs. 6 percent of respondents at small manufacturers. Manufacturers in the electrical equipment and appliance industry (11 percent) expressed the most interest in nanotechnology. According to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (Washington, DC), the technology is used in products such as refrigerators, humidifiers, air conditioners, air purifiers and washing machines. Survey Methodology ASSEMBLY magazine would like to thank all the respondents who participated in its 13th annual State of the Profession survey. The survey was conducted online in March 2008 by Clear Seas Research (Troy, MI). All readers with e-mail addresses were contacted electronically and encouraged to click a special hot link to the online questionnaire. The charts and tables in this report highlight the major data gleaned from the survey responses. On some of the questions, the response rate does not equal 100 percent due to rounding or surveys that contained one or more unanswered questions. In cases where multiple responses were allowed, the total may exceed 100 percent. Special thanks to Katie Bennett and Vince Schneider for their assistance with online survey design, distribution and tabulation. For more information on this study, please John Thomas at 248-786-1659 or thomasj@clearseasresearch.com. A ASSEMBLY ONLINE To learn more about the State of the Profession, click www.assemblymag.com to read these articles: Manufacturing Engineer Salary Snapshot. A Decade of Change. How Bad Is It? Medical Device • Pharmaceutical • Disposable Consumer Products • Food Fully Integrated Assembly Test and Packaging Systems, High Speed Assembly Machines, Packaging Machine Loading Systems, High Speed Vibratory and Rotary Parts Feeders CONSULT – Process and product development DESIGN – Custom to suit specific product and process requirements BUILD – All required capabilities in-house INSTALL – Local or international SUPPORT – Training, service, Our goal is to design, build and support the best automation system for your project.We achieve this by working closely with you from start to finish. And our commitment to you does not stop after delivery — we stay involved — servicing the equipment, training your staff and helping you stay competitive in your market validation 750 Clark Avenue • Bristol CT • 06011 USA (860)583-4109 • www.arthurgrussell.com www.assemblymag.com July 2008 / ASSE M B LY 39 http://www.assemblymag.com http://www.arthurgrussell.com http://www.assemblymag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Assembly Planbook - July 2008

Assembly Planbook - July 2008 Contents Editorial Quality in Assembly Station to Station Assembly Lines Assembly in Action Surviving the Roller Coaster The Human Side of Manufacturing Do Your Fasteners Need a Preapplied Thread-Locker? Manufacturing Innovation A Century of Progress Trendsetting Plants Pulse Tools Get Smart Plastics: Design for X Product Reviews Products Advertisers Index Classified Leading Lean

Assembly Planbook - July 2008

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