Trendwatch Manufacturing: April 27, 2020

Industry Week: What Will Manufacturing’s New Normal Be After COVID-19? 

History teaches us that short-term measures taken in response to global crises lead to changes that last for decades.      

Wall Street Journal: Crisis Has Jump-Started America’s Innovation Engine. What Took So Long? 

United by a singular purpose and freed from bureaucratic restraints, traditional companies like Ford are suddenly more nimble      

Fast Company: How a Tiny 3D Printing Startup Became a Critical Supplier of Face Shields 

Amid heartbreaking tales of shortages and price gouging, South Carolina’s ZVerse pivoted to tackle the crisis and is on track to produce 20 million shields.     

Engadget: Scientists Can 3D Print Insect-like Robots in Minutes         

The trick was to print “flexoskeletons,” or rigid materials 3D-printed on to flexible and thin polycarbonate sheets.

Gatner: Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for Manufacturing Industries

This research shows manufacturing operations leaders how smart factories align with Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends and provides guidance on maximizing their potential.