In this op-ed, manufacturing veteran and host James Anderton expresses his compelling and unique opinions about the state of the manufacturing sector. He shares his thoughts and insights to help engineering and manufacturing professionals navigate through the challenges of world events, supply chain issues, the blending old with new technologies, evolving processes, gaps in skilled labour, in an effort to help maximize engineering productivity of their daily operations. James is a former editor of trade publications in the automotive, metalworking and plastics industries with contributions to a wide range of print and on-line publications. He also brings prior industry experience...
Latest episodes
-
5 min
Additive manufacturing: Ukraine's game changer?
3D printing, or additive manufacturing as it’s known in the industry, have revolutionized warfare, as seen in the current Ukraine Russia conflict. The ability to mass-produce first…
-
4 min
Scaled Composites’ Vanguard may be the 21st Century equivalent to the Cold War F-5
Northrup Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites have created a small single-pilot fighter jet, the Vanguard. It could be the 21st century version of the the 1960's F-5 Freedom Fighte…
-
4 min
Are there too many space launch providers?
The market for orbital launch services is considerable, but limited. Is the room for all the players? * * *Want to watch this podcast as a video? End of the Line is available on en…
-
4 min
Can AI fix Aviation, and Boeing?
As software controlling everything from video games to jet airliners has become too complex to make completely error proof, the move to increasing flight automation continues to ca…
-
4 min
Boeing’s, and NASA’s Dilemma With Starliner
There is plenty of talk in the mainstream media about the technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, but the real engineering issue is not rooted in pressure vessels, v…
-
4 min
The Facetmobile Light Airplane: Why Didn't it Ever Take Off?
Barnaby Wainfan designed a radically different lifting body light aircraft over 30 years ago, that exhibited superior performance in almost every metric: speed, lifting capacity, i…
-
9 min
3D Printing: When Does This Technology Deliver on Its Promise?
Very few technologies in manufacturing have ever offered as much as 3D printing. Additive manufacturing is revolutionary in the way that computer numerical controlled machining was…
-
3 min
Tailgates were better in the 1970's
Before there were SUVs, there were station wagons, and millions of families loved the fake wood panelling, roof rack, but importantly, a comfortable ride with plenty of hauling cap…
-
3 min
When will we get to ride into suborbital space?
The dream of every space enthusiast everywhere has been that spaceships would be, Starliners - craft that you could climb into, buckle up, and fly into orbit, a little like the way…
-
4 min
Tesla backs away from the giant “gigacasted” chassis
The invention of gigantic diecasting machines has made it possible for Tesla to cast front and rear subframe assemblies as a single unit. But the predicted move to a single large d…
-
5 min
Next Gen cars in NASCAR: it’s less about engineering and more about driving
Technical innovation in NASCAR has been a feature of the sport since its inception in 1949. Finding a competitive edge meant pushing rules to their limits and beyond, making mechan…
-
4 min
The EV market is in trouble. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
If you follow the electric vehicle market anywhere in the world today, it’s pretty much bad news these days. That’s especially true in America, where slowing production and layoffs…
-
4 min
To Get Robots in Every Home, It’s About Actuators, Not AI
Everyone wants the universal household robot. According to Jim Anderton, for widespread adoption, they are going to have to have a price point that allows monthly financing or leas…
-
5 min
Only Three Technologies Matter Now. Here’s Why.
The 20th century was defined by engineering. Mass production of consumer goods, atomic energy, and the development of computer data processing built the world we know today.In the…
-
5 min
Iran's slow moving drones
Iran launched a mass drone attack on Israel, with some of the slowest flying offensive aerial vehicles deployed since the Zeppelin raids of World War I. The result was the loss of…
-
4 min
MacGyvering Drones: Ukraine Converts Light Aircraft into Missiles
A Ukrainian made reduction light sport aircraft, the Aeroprakt A-22, appears to have been the platform for a drone attack on a Russian factory in Tataristan, only 800 miles behind…
-
4 min
SpaceX Is Getting Closer to Success with Starship
The third test flight of the SpaceX Starship system ended in in the loss of the vehicle as both booster and the orbital vehicle failed. But both booster and space vehicle were far…
-
4 min
No, Boeing is not in crisis
In complex systems, especially in aviation, it’s rarely possible to single out an individual or corporate unit for failures like those seen on Boeing aircraft recently. Several med…
-
4 min
Manufacturing quality assurance: what no one will talk about
A recent CNN story about a former Boeing employee who refuses to fly on the Boeing 737 Max went viral, throwing fuel on the fire over quality issues at the company. For manufacturi…
-
5 min
High car MSRP? Japan has an answer
Kei cars are cute, fun, affordable and not available in America. * * *Want to watch this podcast as a video? End of the Line is available on engineering.com TV along with all of ou…