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Microfactory
A microfactory either refers to a capital-light facility used for the local assembly of a complex product or system or a small (normally automated) factory for producing small quantities of products. The term was proposed by the Mechanical Engineer Laboratory (MEL) of Japan in 1990 and has recently been used to describe the approach of manufacturers like Arrival. The microfactory's main advantages are saving a substantial amount of space, energy, materials, time, and upfront capital costs. Due to their reduced dimensions, microfactories are normally highly automated. They might contain automatic machine tools, assembly systems, quality inspection systems, material feed systems, waste elimination systems, a system to evaluate tool deterioration and a system to replace tools. At least one proposed microfactory is being designed to make many of its own parts, i.e., a partially self-replicating machine. A microfactory can also refer to a factory designed for flexible small batch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Local Motors
Local Motors was an American motor vehicle manufacturing company focused on low-volume manufacturing of open-source motor vehicle designs using multiple microfactories. It was founded in 2007 by John B. Rogers Jr and had headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company’s lineup before its closure included the Rally Fighter and their 3D-printed Strati and Swim vehicles. The company developed vehicles using 3D Printing and utilized vehicle designs provided by the online community. In 2016, the company introduced an autonomous electric-powered shuttle named Olli. Community Local Motors' website is a community focusing on vehicle innovation. The content is created by the users who discuss designing, engineering, and building innovative vehicles. Members contribute their own ideas and projects which are discussed with the community. Co-creation is a technique used by Local Motors, General Electric, and LEGO to enhance new product development. Select organizations partnered with the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Arrival (company)
Arrival Ltd is a British electric vehicle manufacturer headquartered in London, UK, of primarily lightweight commercial vehicles. In June 2020, Arrival announced a new passenger bus designed for coronavirus-era social distancing. R&D takes place at their facility in Banbury, Oxfordshire. In March 2020, Arrival acquired a new factory in Bicester with plans to be operational by 2021 and start production in 2022. In December 2020, Arrival established its North American headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Arrival claims that their electric vehicles are the first EVs that cost the same as petrol and diesel equivalents. The company has created an electric vehicle platform that can be scaled to make many variants in multiple vehicle categories. Arrival raised $118 million from US funds manager BlackRock in October 2020, adding to previous investment from Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co and sister company Kia Motors Corp of $111 million. In November 2020, it was anno ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Financial Capital
Financial capital (also simply known as capital or equity in finance, accounting and economics) is any economic resource measured in terms of money used by entrepreneurs and businesses to buy what they need to make their products or to provide their services to the sector of the economy upon which their operation is based, ''e.g.'', retail, corporate, investment banking, etc. In other words, financial capital is internal retained earnings generated by the entity or funds provided by lenders (and investors) to businesses in order to purchase real capital equipment or services for producing new goods and/or services. In contrast, real capital (or economic capital) comprises physical goods that assist in the production of other goods and services, e.g. shovels for gravediggers, sewing machines for tailors, or machinery and tooling for factories. IFRS concepts of capital maintenance ''Financial capital'' generally refers to saved-up financial wealth, especially that use ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Agile Manufacturing
Agile may refer to: * Agile, an entity that possesses agility Project management * Agile software development, a development method * Agile construction, iterative and incremental construction method * Agile learning, the application of incremental and iterative methods to learning processes * Agile manufacturing, an organization able to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes Military * AIM-95 Agile, an air-to-air missile * HMS ''Agile'', a never-built ''Amphion''-class submarine * Project AGILE, a 1960s ARPA program * USS ''Agile'', two minesweepers Other uses * AGILE (satellite) (''Astro-rivelatore Gamma a Immagini LEggero''), an astronomical satellite of the Italian Space Agency * Agile (horse) (born 1902), American thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 1905 Kentucky Derby * Agile (producer) (born 1975), Canadian hip-hop music producer * Agile, a member of the X-Hunters in the video game ''Mega Man X2'' * Chevrolet Agile, a subcompact car * Wallis WA-116 Agil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Distributed Manufacturing
Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are coordinated using information technology. It can also refer to local manufacture via the historic cottage industry model, or manufacturing that takes place in the homes of consumers. Enterprise In enterprise environments, the primary attribute of distributed manufacturing is the ability to create value at geographically dispersed locations. For example, shipping costs could be minimized when products are built geographically close to their intended markets. Also, products manufactured in a number of small facilities distributed over a wide area can be customized with details adapted to individual or regional tastes. Manufacturing components in different physical locations and then managing the supply chain to bring them together for final ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flexible Manufacturing System
A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) is a manufacturing system in which there is some amount of flexibility that allows the system to react in case of changes, whether predicted or unpredicted. This flexibility is generally considered to fall into two categories, which both contain numerous subcategories. The first category is called as ''Routing Flexibility'' which covers the system's ability to be changed to produce new product types, and ability to change the order of operations executed on a part. The second category is called ''Machine Flexibility'' which consists of the ability to use multiple machines to perform the same operation on a part, as well as the system's ability to absorb large-scale changes, such as in volume, capacity, or capability. Most FMS consist of three main systems: 1) The "Work Machines" which are often automated "CNC machines" are connected by 2) By a "Material handling" system to optimize parts flow and 3) The "Central Control Computer" which ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Digital Modeling And Fabrication
Digital modeling and fabrication is a design and production process that combines 3D modeling or computing-aided design (CAD) with additive and subtractive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is also known as 3D printing, while subtractive manufacturing may also be referred to as machining, and many other technologies can be exploited to physically produce the designed objects. Modeling Digitally fabricated objects are created with a variety of CAD software packages, using both 2D vector drawing, and 3D modeling. Types of 3D models include wireframe, solid, surface and mesh. A design has one or more of these model types. Machines for fabrication Three machines are popular for fabrication: 1. CNC router 2. Laser cutter 3. 3D Printer CNC milling machine CNC stands for "computer numerical control". CNC mills or routers include proprietary software which interprets 2D vector drawings or 3D models and converts this information to a G-code, which represents specific CNC fun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Automation
Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, namely by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines. Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices, and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes, and ships typically use combinations of all of these techniques. The benefit of automation includes labor savings, reducing waste, savings in electricity costs, savings in material costs, and improvements to quality, accuracy, and precision. Automation includes the use of various equipment and control systems such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced hu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rally Fighter
The Rally Fighter is an American automobile manufactured by Local Motors and introduced in 2009. It is the first car to be developed using co-creation design. The exterior design was submitted by Sangho Kim and selected through community votes. The Rally Fighter is street legal in all 50 states. Specifications The Rally Fighter is powered by a front-mid mounted 6.2 L GM LS3 V8 that produces at 5,900 rpm and of torque at 4,600 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels through a 4-speed GM 4L85-E automatic transmission. The suspension features double A-arms up front and a 4-link Ford 9-inch axle in the rear, both using coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. This gives it 16 inches of suspension travel in the front and 20 inches in the rear. It also features a fiberglass body to save weight. In the interior, the Rally Fighter is equipped with standard 3-point harness seat belts, a full roll cage and Recaro seats, as well as amenities such as air conditioning, stereo and power ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Numerical Control
Numerical control (also computer numerical control, and commonly called CNC) is the automated control of machining tools (such as drills, lathes, mills, grinders, routers and 3D printers) by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a piece of material (metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or composite) to meet specifications by following coded programmed instructions and without a manual operator directly controlling the machining operation. A CNC machine is a motorized maneuverable tool and often a motorized maneuverable platform, which are both controlled by a computer, according to specific input instructions. Instructions are delivered to a CNC machine in the form of a sequential program of machine control instructions such as G-code and M-code, and then executed. The program can be written by a person or, far more often, generated by graphical computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software. In the case of 3D printers, the part to be print ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Automated
Automation describes a wide range of technologies that reduce human intervention in processes, namely by predetermining decision criteria, subprocess relationships, and related actions, as well as embodying those predeterminations in machines. Automation has been achieved by various means including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic devices, and computers, usually in combination. Complicated systems, such as modern factories, airplanes, and ships typically use combinations of all of these techniques. The benefit of automation includes labor savings, reducing waste, savings in electricity costs, savings in material costs, and improvements to quality, accuracy, and precision. Automation includes the use of various equipment and control systems such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers, and heat-treating ovens, switching on telephone networks, steering, and stabilization of ships, aircraft, and other applications and vehicles with reduced human in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
3D Printing
3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused), typically layer by layer. In the 1980s, 3D printing techniques were considered suitable only for the production of functional or aesthetic prototypes, and a more appropriate term for it at the time was rapid prototyping. , the precision, repeatability, and material range of 3D printing have increased to the point that some 3D printing processes are considered viable as an industrial-production technology, whereby the term ''additive manufacturing'' can be used synonymously with ''3D printing''. One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise impossible to construct ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
