FROM THE EDITOR

from Industrial Machinery Digest Quarterly - IMD Quarter 1, 2020

by Industrial Machinery Digest | IMD by Source 360 Media

CLASSIFIEDS

2020 is off to a great start. Going into the first quarter, sentiment among manufacturers has been promising. According to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders, a statistical program of AMT, the end of 2019 delivered an increase in orders. December saw a rise of 24 percent compared to November, with a year-end total of $4.5 billion. 2019 was an overall cautious year for most manufacturers, with fears of a potential recession, but December allowed manufacturers an opportunity to make investments needed to meet growing production demands. While, of course, it is too early to tell, the second half of 2020 should see a further upswing.

One topic we have covered for the four years I’ve been working with Industrial Machinery Digest is how automation is far from a threat to the jobs of the men and women who make up the manufacturing workforce. EU Automation provides a global network of distributors and preferred partner warehouses selling new, used, refurbished and obsolete industrial automation spares. In this issue's Business Column, learn more about how automation continues to allow manufacturers to redeploy their workforce, and promote the "Made in America" drive.

Machine vision applications are becoming more common in production lines for many segments of the manufacturing industry. IDS Imaging Development Systems has developed the Ensenso XR series to include integrated data processing in an efficient, space-saving design. Learn more about why IDS believes the Ensenso XR represents the next logical step in optimized data exchange.

Furthering the growth in importance of the Industrial Internet of Things, Siemens’ MindSphere has been named a platform leader by Forrester, an independent research firm. MindSphere IIoT solutions, while built upon Siemens own long-standing strength in manufacturing, aren’t limited to Siemens hardware alone. Now with more than 500 MindSphere partners, in this issue's New Tech learn why MindSphere was selected to participate in The Forrester Wave.

Packaging and wrapping materials not only help with shipping but also protect the finished product. TAB Wrapper’s Tornado orbital wrapping machines help reduce accidental injuries, while also saving time dramatically for most wrapping processes. This issue's Process details how Odessa, Texas-based City Pipe & Supply eliminated workers’ compensation claims by replacing their manually stretch-wrapping method.

This issue of the Industrial Machinery Digest Quarterly also includes our comprehensive Product Showcase, highlighting a number of top products from the first quarter.

Best Regards,

Nick Boliek Editor, Industrial Machinery Digest

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