Advanced Manufacturing Now

Samantha Farr, founder of and instructor for Women Who Weld, met with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to discuss how welding is one of the areas most afflicted by the skills gap and how her program can meet that need while bringing more diversity and equality to manufacturing.

While Dassault Systemes is best known in the manufacturing industry for its CATIA software, the company's interests are in fact much broader. Indeed, they span not just the globe but reach into outer space as well. Steve Madge, Dassault vice president for Industry & Global Affairs in High Tech, Future Transportation & Smart Cities, spoke with Manufacturing Engineering Editor Emeritus Jim Sawyer about how part of his job is to seek out mega trends so his company can boldly go where no other enterprise has gone before.

Diana Mannino, president of HBPO North America talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American in Detroit. She discusses the company's product line, including front end modules for vehicles. HBPO also is expanding its production in North America, including two new plants in Mexico scheduled to open this year.

Dennis Berry, president of the Americas region of Chassis Brakes International, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Berry discusses how the company is adding production in North America in Mexico. He also talks about how brake systems are evolving to be electric and getting rid of hydraulic systems.

Robert Evans, president of Freudenberg North America, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Evans describes Freudenberg's automotive-related businesses, including sealing technologies, vibration control systems and filtration. The executive also talks about general industry trends, including electrification of vehicles.

Dennis Hoeg, North American COO for Nexteer Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Hoeg discusses the company's Digital Trace Manufacturing system, which was introduced at the auto show.

Jeff Zuraski, executive director of research and development for Nexteer Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show. He discusses technology for autonomous driving vehicles. Nexteer used the auto show to introduce steering technologies for autonomous driving.

Jody Hall, vice president-automotive market for the Steel Market Development Institute, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. She discusses how high strength steel is being used to make vehicles lighter. High strength steel was used by General Motors Co. and FCA US LLC to make new versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 pickups lighter.

Jonathan Smoke, chief economist of Cox Automotive, talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig about what's happening in the auto industry going into 2018. Smoke describes an industry that is still running strong but faces more "headwinds" than in the past few years. The interview took place at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

CEO David Johnson of Achates Power talks to Senior Editor Bill Koenig at the North American International Auto Show. The executive discusses the company's opposed-piston engine that was on display at the show in January. Johnson describes how the engine can achieve fuel efficiency. The engine has been in development for about two years.