Why Manufacturing Is Vital To Engineering Education
By Maria Klawe
6/08/2015 @ 10:22
If nearly everything we use today, from baby bottles to computers, is made in China, why would a young, talented student choose to study manufacturing? And why should U.S. colleges and universities be concerned about improving manufacturing education?
Of course, not everything is made in China. The U.S. manufactures many goods, especially high value products in the technology, aerospace, defense, automotive and food industries. U.S. manufacturing produces $1.7 trillion in goods, comprises nearly 12% of the GDP, and employs 9% of Americans, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. Manufacturing is a vital sector of the U.S. economy and contributes significantly to America’s overall economic strength.
For the rest of the story visit Forbes.
Alabama’s Latest Big Ride
INTERVIEW BY CHRIS MCFADYEN
June 2015
Scott Wine, 48, is CEO and chairman of Polaris Industries, the world’s leading manufacturer of powersports vehicles – off-road vehicles and snowmobiles – with sales of $4.479 billion in 2014.
Headquartered in Minnesota, where it started making snowmobiles, Polaris would be totally foreign to Alabama except for all the Alabama hunters and farmers who own off-road vehicles, and the fact that Polaris announced in January it will build its 15th plant in Huntsville – expected to account for 20 to 25 percent of future revenues, employing 1,700 to 2,000 workers.
For the rest of the story visit Business Alabama.
NASA Tests ‘Flying Saucer’ Device for Future Mars Landings
Agence France-Presse
Jun 8, 2015
WASHINGTON-NASA launched a giant balloon Monday carrying a kind of “flying saucer” that will test technologies for landing on Mars.
The aircraft is fitted with the largest parachute ever constructed.
After several days of weather-related delays, the helium balloon was launched from a military base in Hawaii and was to rise for about two hours.
It was the second test of the saucer-like device, called the Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator.
For the rest of the story visit Industry Week.