Automation: The Make-or-Break Decision For Today’s Manufacturers

Automation blog banner

In the early days of the industrial revolution, manufacturing was labor-intensive and relied heavily on human power, with automation being a concept yet to be introduced. Workers would use industrial tools and machinery to cut, shape, and assemble parts. This approach was often rigorous and time-consuming. However, the manufacturing industry has undergone significant changes recently, […]

The Rise of Micromanufacturing: Smaller, Faster, Precise

micromanufacturing techniques used to create metal part. close up

With the increasing demand for miniaturized devices, micromanufacturing techniques have become essential for mission-critical industries, medtech , aerospace, space exploration, and defense. This highly specialized manufacturing process makes it possible to produce small and intricate parts with dimensions in the micrometer range (less than 1 millimeter). Often, the parts are so small that many people […]

Why DFM is Critical for Manufacturing Accurate and Cost-Effective Components

Design for manufacturing

We jumped at the chance to machine ultra-precision components for a brand-new transcranial doppler (TCD) technology that reveals cerebral blood flow data in real-time. We knew it could change the game for patients and providers when diagnosing, surveying, and monitoring stroke and other blood flow disorders. In discussing the project with our high-tech medical equipment […]

How a Single-Source Space Manufacturer Can Streamline Your Supply Chain

Single-Source Space-Manufacturer

As space exploration evolves, components have become increasingly complex. As a result, some companies choose to manage multiple manufacturing vendors with varying specialties to stay competitive. However, this practice can lead to hidden costs that compromise the success of your project. In this article, we’ll outline three of these unintended consequences and explain how a […]

Going Deeper into Space Depends on Pushing What’s Possible in Manufacturing

view of starry/nebula sky in North Dakota

Beginning with the first artificial satellite in 1957, space exploration has long been important to humankind. The desire to go deeper into space has only grown with the emergence of NewSpace, the global industry of innovative aerospace companies developing commercial spaceflight technologies allowing civilians access to space. With the incredible advances over the last six […]

3 Supply Chain Bottlenecks in Medtech Manufacturing – and How to Avoid Them

traffic jams or bottlenecks as metaphor for medtech supply chain issues

Manufacturing medtech components for medical components is a highly precise skill that leaves no margin for error. After all, lives are often on the line, and devices must work reliably and accurately if they’re to execute their missions effectively. But what happens when manufactured components fail to meet the exacting standards they’re designed to achieve? […]

Interview with John Shegda at MPO Summit 2021

John Shegda with Sean Fenske at the 2021 MPO Summit

Focusing on the world of outsourcing for medical component manufacturing coupled with a keen awareness of innovation in the space, Medical Product Outsourcing’s conference series—the MPO Summit—has provided the medtech industry with the most comprehensive programs for more than 15 years.  At this year’s event in Salt Lake City this past September, KMM Group CEO […]

How to Turn Burnout into Takeoff

preview of "How to Turn Burnout into Takeoff" video

You want to talk burnout? There was a time that I hated working here. I gave and I gave, pouring in an unsustainable number of hours, only to have the company suck it right up and demand more. It was 2007, and I had come to the sober inclusion that my work lacked meaning – […]

Inside the KMM Group Merger

John Shegda and Eric Wilhelm led the merger that formed KMM Group

At this point, most of you receiving this newsletter are aware that M&S Centerless Grinding and Meron Medical, have formed a joint-venture/merger with a machining company, KVI Group, to form a new group called KMM Group, Ltd. My new partner, Eric Wilhelm, and I have received much correspondence from our colleagues in the industry that […]

Industry 4.0

example of Industry 4.0: automated mill/turn machine

Seeing the term “Industry 4.0” around a lot lately? Think that it is just another marketing ploy to get you to buy a new machine tool, or pony up for automation? It’s not. Industry 4.0 is the accepted terminology used to name the rapidly advancing fourth industrial revolution. What do I mean by saying the […]