The many benefits of lean; Flexiv upgrades programming; looking back at 2024: Machinery Minutes, Dec. 30, 2024

In this episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman looks at the benefits of lean beyond sustainability gains; an upgraded robotic programming system from Flexiv; and some of our most popular features from 2024. 

Transcript

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week I share with you three things you need to know in about three minutes. You can read the complete stories on plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com.

No. 1 – Improved sustainability is just one advantage of going lean — and according to the U.S. EPA and lean practitioners, it isn’t even a direct result.

If you’re considering exploring lean, here a few of the benefits PMM Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna compiled while talking with lean advocates:

Waste reduction, fewer accidents, more consistency and reliability in production, improved employee satisfaction, ability to better attract workers, and a reduction of costs. But this list barely scratches the surface.

Read the story headlined: “Lean delivers bevy of benefits,” and listen to the Dec. 26 PMM Insight podcast she recorded with Editor Ron Shinn in which they discussed the findings of her series of articles on lean manufacturing. The podcast is available on our website under “multimedia” or subscribe to PMM Insight on your favorite podcast platform.

No. 2 – Flexiv Robotics Inc. has updated its robotic programming system to include a new 3D simulation tool and to make it easier to use.

Elements Series 3 software integrates feedback from users of the Series 2 software, and introduces enhanced features to simplify the development and simulation of robotic applications. Flexiv says it’s easier to use without sacrificing the ability to program complex applications.

Learn more by reading “Flexiv updates robotic programming system."

No. 3 -- It’s the end of the year, and that means PMM is looking back at some of our most popular features over the past 12 months.

Do you enjoy our In Other Words profiles in which we learn about the accomplishments, goals, and future plans of some of the plastics industry's leaders?

PMM Managing Editor Lynne Sherwin has compiled a slideshow of the 12 people we featured over the past year including: Jim Healy, who is retiring from Sepro; Silcotech's leaders Michael Maloney and Isolde Boettger – a couple who are linked professionally and personally; and Brandon Birchmeier, a YouTube injection molding guru.

Check out Lynne’s slideshow headlined: "In Other Words: Talking with 12 plastics industry professionals.”

Also, check out “Highlights from PMM's 2024 machinery coverage,” where we recap features from NPE and plant visits to Arburg, LS Mtron, Wittmann and Engel.

It may be a holiday week, but there is still a lot to see on the PMM website.

Those are my Top 3 items you need to know for this week. We will have a new list every Monday.