The World's 18 Strangest Factories

Popular Mechanics has a list of the worlds strangest factories.


The Rioglass Solar Production Plant is my favorite. See slideshow below.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/architecture/the-worlds-18-strangest-factories?click=pp#slide-1

I visited BMW World in Munich last year and I think that is one of my favorite factories to date. There is a small clip on youtube. I have linked a small clip of their factory tour below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31pD5KNCxeY

Read more »

Harvard, MIT to partner in $60 million initiative to offer free online classes to all

This is big news. I know MIT has a track record for online education but it will be interesting to see how Harvard adapts to online education. As the article mentions, Stanford has a bunch of continuing education classes offered online (not free) and I can tell you, my personal experience is that the online classes are as good or as bad as the classroom sessions. Frankly, it depends on who is teaching the course.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/cambridge/articles/2012/05/03/harvard_mit_to_partner_in_60_million_initiative_to_offer_free_online_classes_to_all/

Read more »

AutoDesk's cool new 3D printing and rapid prototyping tools

I had the previlage of attending a technology conference last month where AutoDesk CEO, Carl Bass discussed the innovations in 3D printing and advances in rapid prototyping. The discussion ranged from newer software that will create a 3D model based on actual pictures of a particular object (thus making it easier to create models, to using newer resin materials to make anatomically accurate prototypes of stents etc.)

Design and Motion has interesting coverage on the new product - AutoDesk 123D

http://designandmotion.net/autodesk/autodesk-diy-3d-prototyping-future/

Read more »

Georgia Tech and Univ of Michigan lead Industrial Engineering programs

Not much change here, atleast since the last 10 years. The Georgia Tech program is much more Engineering focussed. I would recommend the Operations Management program at CMU/MIT if you are leaning towards more of a management program. Michigan State has an excellend Supply Chain Management program.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/industrial-engineering-rankings

Read more »

Resurgence of US Manufacturing?

This is an interesting analysis presented on HBR. Some of his assumptions on productivity of the US worker seem one dimensional and simplistic but I think it is a good read.

Article..

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/09/us_manufacturing_comeback.html

Read more »

Best Places to work for Industrial Engineers

Wanted Analytics, a company collecting hiring demand data has published these statistics. Hope it will help some of you target your job search.

Article ..

http://www.wantedanalytics.com/insight/2011/04/26/hiring_demand_industrial_engineers/

Read more »

Good News: US Manufacturing Index exceeds growth forecast

Manufacturing grew in April at the fastest pace in almost a year, propelled by a pickup in orders that signaled factories will remain a source of strength for the U.S. expansion.


Article..


http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-01/ism-index-of-u-dot-s-dot-manufacturing-increased-to-54-dot-8-in-april

Read more »