Microproduction—in the short run

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Janice Kleinschmidt Patti Williams agrees that technology has altered the industrial landscape, but the consulting partner for IT Strategies, a digital printing consulting firm based in Hanover, Mass., eschews the “mass customization” label. “Over the last couple months, I&rsquo…
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Working on the supply chain gang

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Janice Kleinschmidt According to Donal Reddington, founder of MadeForOne.com, lead time is the “crucial customer variant” for mass customization. “[A] customer is willing to pay 10 to 15 percent more for a mass-customized product over a standard product,” he says. “H…
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Inflatable technology meets hyperbaric oxygen therapy

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Holly O’Dell Inflatable products are frequently used in the medical field for hot and cold packs, blood pressure cuffs and chest compression systems. One area where inflatable technology has found particular success in the industry is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). In this system, users …
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Cost-free efficiency tips

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Andrea Swensson In addition to upgrading or purchasing new equipment to increase efficiency, adjustments can be made to the way your shop is organized and operated. Here are a few tips from our experts: Be diligent about having maintenance performed regularly. Stock up on supplies, like ink, to a…
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Recycling PVC

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Peder Engebretson Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) uses compounds known as plasticizers, which make the material soft, flexible and a potential health hazard, particularly in the manufacturing process. (It’s the off-gassing plasticizers that result in “new car smell.”) On the o…
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Read your Material Safety Data Sheets

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Vince Cahill Exposure to almost any material can be dangerous—usually as the result of improper use or storage. An MSDS provides valuable facts about a material that can pose dangers to workers. The first sections contain information required by OSHA. This includes: Product name and manufac…
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Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM of Custom Marine Canvas

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? Right now there is zero boat building going on. I think the cycle we’re in is going to take six or seven years before boat building is going to start recovering. What is your business philosophy? To recognize customers’ need…
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Bradford’s company keeps her connected to the sea

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist It seems whatever Katie Bradford is involved in, there’s always some connection to the sea. When she isn’t working on fabricating projects for someone else’s boat, she’s either sailing on one of her own vessels, volunteering for the New London Community Bo…
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Adapting core competencies to new markets

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Carol Brzozowski Five factors to keep in mind when examining your company’s technological and skill capabilities for pursuing new markets: Listen to your customers for new or unusual requests; identify patterns or trends. Has the competition recently expanded into a new line? If so, conside…
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Soup up your blog

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Joe Dysart While you’re adding the latest in interactivity to your site, don’t forget to update your company blog with new tools that will give it an edgier look. Artisteer 2.1 This is a gem of a blog design tool that will enable a nontechnical person to custom design a WordPress blog…
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