SME is well represented at this year’s FABTECH 2023 event with SME members serving as speakers, panelists, and advisors across the four-day event. The activities include 40 keynote presentations, thought-leadership panels, workshops, and conference papers.

Anyone who meets Will Healy III knows that he’s very passionate about manufacturing, but from a people perspective.

Hello fellow members, my name is Krishna Vuppala, lead manufacturing engineer with John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa, and an SME Member Council representative.

For August, we went international (well, Montreal is in Canada) and are featuring Paul Gould from Montreal Quebec Chapter 50. Due to the summer break, we’ll resume spotlighting student chapter leaders in September.

As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, virtual career fairs have emerged as a valuable platform for job seekers to connect with potential employers from the comfort of their homes.

Sometimes you find a subject – like manufacturing – more interesting than the one you studied for four years in college. New SME member David Atess went back to school after falling in love with CAD and additive manufacturing.

Tara Thomasson, SME Member Council Representative, is a technical fellow with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. She’s been an SME member since 2018. In her From the Desk of… letter, she explains why mentoring is important for both the mentor and the mentee, and how her life and career have been positively impacted by mentors she has had over the years.

In today's competitive manufacturing industry, veteran-owned companies hold a unique position that goes beyond just producing goods.

Manufacturing is a community made up of amazing forward-thinking individuals. Since 1955, SME has been recognizing individuals from industry and academia for their significant innovations and impact within manufacturing. During the SME 2023 Spring Gala, these individuals were honored for their accomplishments through various SME honors, awards, and scholarships.

From growing up in Romania to becoming an engineering manager in the United States, learn about Ane Marie Harbs manufacturing career. During this conversation she explains the challenges she overcame and what helped her along the way to become the manufacturing professional she is today.

It’s important to acknowledge the people who’re making an impact through manufacturing and helping others along the way. Irina N. Ciobanescu–Husanu recounts her manufacturing journey and the family support system that helped her reach her goal of becoming an engineer and impacting the next generation of manufacturing talent.

This month, we spoke with Margaret Ann DiFrancesco, SME Chapter S099, and Ane Marie Harb, SME Chapter 43. Learn more about their manufacturing journey and experiences as SME Members.

Companies are continuing to make investments in the South Carolina automotive industry, from BMW expanding its facilities to Volkswagen building a new electric vehicle plant. Learn about the region’s new manufacturing facilities and new automotive-based educational opportunities.

Canada has successfully earned a reputation as a global manufacturing hub, investing in advanced technologies that are attracting new manufacturing businesses to the country. Learn more about how automation is on the rise in Canada.

SME member and Vice Chair of the AM Technical Community, Stacey DelVecchio discusses the progress of additive manufacturing in recent years and the importance of knowledgeable industry experts helping foster growth in the area of additive manufacturing.

Pairing automation with CNC machining has had great results for parts fabrication. Read about how machine shops are leveraging robotic automation to drive growth and remain competitive.

Medical device manufacturing companies need more robust cybersecurity measures to protect patients, maintain device performance, and comply with FDA policies. Learn about ways these businesses can improve their device’s cybersecurity measures.

Manufacturing peers from all stages of their careers discuss strategies to help both manufacturing companies attract employees and tactics individuals can use to navigate the current professional landscape and network effectively.

As one of the first industries to embrace additive manufacturing, aerospace has successfully woven the technology into its production operations. Learn more about how 3D printing is changing aerospace production.

Manufacturing automation companies play a significant role in the fourth industrial revolution. Smart factories are the future of manufacturing, and automating operations is the first step to achieving autonomous production. Learn how these companies are advancing manufacturing.

Several industries are advancing manufacturing in the Northeast U.S. There is a commitment to advancing manufacturing, with consortiums, coalitions, and industry partnerships. Learn how this region is supporting renewable energy, defense manufacturing, and more.

Learn how attending an advanced manufacturing expo can help manufacturers improve business operations while also helping to progress the industry. You can be at the forefront of manufacturing when you attend an advanced manufacturing expo.

Each month SME highlights leaders from various chapters showcasing recent accomplishments, chapter events, and more. This month’s spotlight features Anwelli Okpue and Kristen Forti. Learn about these SME Chapter Officers and their journey within manufacturing.

Recognizing the strong group of manufacturing professionals that make up the SME community is important. SME member, Sheila Sherman shares how membership with SME has benefitted her career.

On Monday, March 20th SME Membership hosted a virtual conversation to discuss and celebrate women leaders within manufacturing and how they achieved success by overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry.

Manufacturing is key to economic growth and prosperity. Without manufacturing, our nation’s economic vitality would be bleak and without women specifically in manufacturing, our society would look drastically different. To advance manufacturing, more can be accomplished when industry leaders focus on a common goal and combine resources to make a positive impact.

The increasing trend of women entering careers in STEM is promising for the future of manufacturing. SME celebrates the achievements of women driving innovation in manufacturing who’ve chosen a career in STEM and continue to advance our industry.

Recognizing National Engineers Week, SME sat down with some of our amazing members to discuss their experience within manufacturing, lessons learned, and what’s next for the engineering industry. Meet Michael Bell and learn how SME has supported his manufacturing journey.

To recognize National Engineers Week, SME sat down with some of our amazing members to discuss their experience within manufacturing, lessons learned, and what’s next for the engineering industry. Meet Kayla Jordan and learn how SME has supported her in her manufacturing journey.

To recognize National Engineers Week, SME sat down with some of our amazing members to discuss their experience within manufacturing, lessons learned, and what’s next for the engineering industry. Meet Britton Foust and learn how SME has supported him throughout his career.

During Black History Month, we salute the innovators who dedicate their talent and creativity to manufacturing. SME Executive Director & CEO, Bob Willig, believes that manufacturing is at its best when we hear the voices of and engage with all community members.

Fully automated manufacturing systems have the potential to optimize production operations and maximize efficiency. But not every automation system is the same. Regardless of which automated manufacturing system is used, there are significant benefits to fully automated production.

3D printing in manufacturing is used in several different industries for prototyping and product design, and even to produce end-use parts. As manufacturers continue to adopt 3D printing, innovative ideas and use cases for this technology are leading to advancements within the manufacturing sector.

Plant engineering and maintenance involve managing a manufacturing plant’s mechanical and electrical systems, assets, and equipment. As more smart technologies are implemented into manufacturing facilities, this job also includes managing automated systems.

When it comes to processes used to develop products for aerospace, there are several different processes for bonding different metals together. Some examples of joined metals include titanium with stainless steel, titanium with iron-nickel, and aluminum with other metals. But which one is better is up for debate.

In the fourth industrial revolution, advanced manufacturing technologies like automation are becoming necessary for manufacturers to continue to thrive. There are multiple manufacturing automation solutions available to help manufacturers improve operations, but what’s best for each company will depend on its business goals and strategies.

Cobotics is making automation more attainable for the manufacturing sector. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are often a better investment than industrial robots for small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Cobots work in the same environment as humans without barriers and safety fences.

Prior to the coronavirus, manufacturers in the medical industry were using advanced manufacturing technologies to improve products and operations. Continuing to implement these advanced technologies will help medical device manufacturers combat the challenges they’re currently facing.

As the aerospace industry takes off in Texas, composite manufacturing is on the rise in the state. Composite materials play a large role in aerospace manufacturing, as they are lightweight and durable, helping to improve aircraft performance.

As manufacturing companies implement smart technologies to stay relevant in the Industry 4.0 era, there are digital transformation considerations each company should think about before embarking on their digital journeys.

Implementing intelligent automation in manufacturing processes is one of the most effective ways to streamline operations and improve efficiency within production. As manufacturers’ digital strategies evolve, they start to adopt more advanced manufacturing technologies. These include artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation. The combination of these three technologies is the basis of intelligent automation.

In preparation for virtual career fairs, SME Membership has created a program to maximize your experience. Join industry experts and learn tips about interviewing and the overall job search. The pre-virtual career fair event takes place on Feb. 1 from 3-4pm ET.

SME has partnered with Women in Manufacturing (WiM) to produce two virtual career fairs in 2023 to help advance underrepresented groups in manufacturing who are seeking rewarding, sustaining careers. Registration is open for the first virtual career fair taking place on February 9, 2023.

Whether it’s improving production processes or upskilling workers, companies are looking for smart manufacturing solutions. Virtual reality will be a part of manufacturing’s future, the only question is how manufacturers will make the most of these new tools.

When it comes to innovation within manufacturing, the goal is to develop sustainable processes to create something unique that adds value. The research presented at NAMRC sets the groundwork for important manufacturing developments in the years to come.

During MFG Month SME Membership provided a series of webinars focused on key or emerging industry-related topics and products. One webinar examined the strategies of using diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to improve manufacturing to create a more diverse talent pool.

Jeannine Kunz, Chief Workforce Development Officer of SME, and John Dyck, Chief Executive Officer of CESMII visited the Peggy Smedley Show podcast to discuss the launch of the new Executive Council and the national imperative to engage the industry, align efforts and resources, and offer tangible solutions to combat the hurdles and roadblocks to adoption.

Companies across multiple industry sectors have increased their investment in automation and technology solutions. Their dedication to these types of productivity enhancements shows commitment to invest in the future of their business and in turn, create an environment that attracts new and inspired employees.

The manufacturing technology community assembled in Chicago this year for IMTS 2022. SME was in attendance with a robust presence on the exhibit floor amounting to a total of seven different offerings.

Whether you’re just beginning your career or a seasoned manufacturing professional, technical certificates will make you a high-value commodity and a sought-after individual within your industry.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is back fully in person after a four-year hiatus, and SME will be in attendance. It’s exciting to be back in Chicago but it’s even more thrilling to have the opportunity to present new products and solutions to the public as well as host numerous member-driven programs.

Created in 2013 by SME and Stratasys, the SkillsUSA Additive Manufacturing Competition is intended to both educate high school and post-secondary students about additive manufacturing technologies and to provide the real-world, hands-on experience they can apply to a commercial product.

Over three days, thousands of the additive manufacturing (AM) community’s best and brightest packed Huntington Place in Detroit to discuss and learn about new products, materials, and solutions.

The importance of manufacturers to the success of our economy and society is great. From designers and engineers to warehouse production staff, and everything in between, the opportunities for success in manufacturing are abundant.

Black History Month, a time of reflection and recognition, encourages us to acknowledge achievement and accomplishment. We at SME are proud to celebrate those within the Black Community who’ve contributed and continue to support advancements in manufacturing.

Our industry must be inclusive and open to everyone to thrive. Having role models and professional representation within manufacturing is of paramount importance. Passionate manufacturing professionals working together with common goals will ultimately drive business forward.

Emerging science and technologies are key to the next generation of advanced manufacturing, global competitiveness, and sustainability.

Achieving a professional certification sets you apart from the thousands of other talented men and women in manufacturing.

SME’s 2022 North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) is the continent’s preeminent and longest-running international forum for applied research and industrial applications in manufacturing and design.

Lean Certification sets you apart from the competition and places you a step ahead in your manufacturing career.

Becoming an event speaker provides an opportunity to give back -- to reinvest your experience into the industry and share your knowledge with the next generation of manufacturing engineers.

Essential resources for manufacturers come in many different forms. A professional membership provides resources and networking opportunities that will help advance your career.

SME Celebrates Women History Month and specifically the extraordinary women in manufacturing who chose a career in STEM.