Breaking the Bottleneck | Issue 40
[2/4/2024] Apple Vision Pro Teardown, Metal 3D Printer for Space, the Greenfield Opportunity in Semiconductors & More!
Breaking the Bottleneck is a weekly manufacturing technology newsletter with perspectives, interviews, news, funding announcements, manufacturing market maps, and a startup database!
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Content I Enjoyed Last Week 🏭🗞️🔬 📚
News
Companies Brought in Robots. Now They Need Human ‘Robot Wranglers’ [WSJ]
Though robots are increasingly used for tasks like ferrying goods and delivering food, and about 21% of warehouses employing some form of robotics in 2023, the role of "robot wranglers" is emerging post-deployment. These personnel focus on managing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the robots employed alongside human staff. Caroline Rutenberg, working in an Amazon warehouse, and Scott Samples, another robot wrangler at GE are great examples of robot technicians who deal with robots misbehaving in handling tasks. These robots, used for tasks like delivering parts and materials, occasionally lose their way and require human intervention to be guided back to their designated paths. He often receives calls to locate and retrieve robots that have strayed, using their cameras and sensors. As robots are increasingly deployed the field of robot wrangling will persist to bridge the gap between traditional human-operated facilities and the automated workplaces of the future.
Vision Pro Teardown [iFixit]
Why BYD is Getting Into Shipping [MIT Technology Review]
BYD manages a majority of its production processes in-house, from designing car chips to mining lithium and other materials. This extensive control over the EV supply chain allows BYD to keep costs low and offer cars at competitive prices. However, BYD is looking into various related businesses to drive continued success in the sector. BYD has now ventured into the sea freight business to further strengthen its position. The international shortage of car-carrier ships has been a challenge, with factors like a downturn in the shipping industry since 2008, the need for greener shipping technologies, and the reservation of existing vessels by automakers in other countries contributing to rising costs for transporting Chinese EVs abroad. As a result, the company is assembling a fleet of eight car-carrier ships to transport its vehicles from China to markets across the world. This January, ships operated by BYD and SAIC Motor set sail for Europe, carrying over 10,000 vehicles.
Adaptation is Key for Robotics Arms [Robot Report]
FAULHABER, a German company specializing in motor technology discusses the advancements in robotic manipulation tasks and the role of tool changers in enhancing robot versatility. Robots are now capable of performing a wide range of manipulation tasks, including grasping, holding, clamping, screwing, foaming, and welding via Intelligent Peripherals for Robots (IPR). These IPRs address the need for flexible robotic tools. Mounted on a robot arm, the tool interchanges various tools, enabling a single robot to perform multiple tasks like gripping, positioning, processing with tools, and quality checking with sensors or cameras. Furthermore, there has been a shift from pneumatic power transmissions, which are suitable for handling heavy objects but require substantial investment in compressors and control systems to electric drives. These electric motors offer greater flexibility and usability due to electric power access and the ability to easily switch operations.
Cadence Launches Millennium Enterprise Multiphysics Platform [VentureBeat]
The first-generation Cadence Millennium M1 focuses on accelerating high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, catering to industries such as automotive, aerospace and defense (A&D), energy, and turbomachinery. The new solution offers the following benefits:
Performance improvement: Combines GPU-resident CFD solvers with dedicated GPU hardware, ensuring optimal performance for complex mechanical systems with near-linear scalability on multiple GPU nodes.
Efficiency overhaul: Reduces simulation turnaround time from weeks to hours, boasting 20 times better energy efficiency compared to traditional CPU equivalents.
Accuracy and fidelity: Leverages Cadence Fidelity CFD solvers, providing unmatched accuracy to tackle complex simulation challenges.
AI digital twin integration: Employs generative AI technology for rapid generation of high-quality multiphysics data and enables the creation of fast and reliable digital twin visualizations for optimal system design solutions.
The “World’s First” Metal 3D Printer for Space [TCT]
Airbus and AddUp have collaboratively developed the first metal 3D printer for space, a groundbreaking project commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) and set to be tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initiated in 2016 as the "Metal3D" project, the metal 3D printer enables the production of load-bearing structural parts and tools like wrenches or mounting interfaces, offering more resilience than plastic equivalents. However, adapting 3D printing for space presented unique challenges. The printer had to be compact enough to fit within the confines of the ISS, comparable in size to a washing machine. Additionally, safety was a paramount concern, especially considering the high temperatures and potential hazards of metal printing. The solution involved a wire-based printing technology, chosen for its independence from gravity, and a sealed metal box design to contain the heat and prevent any contamination within the ISS.
Intel Delays $20B Ohio Semiconductor Project [Manufacturing Dive]
Intel has announced a delay in its ambitious $20 billion semiconductor project in New Albany, Ohio, with the completion of the two-chip factory site now anticipated by late 2026. Intel's financial performance has been a mix of ups and downs. While the company saw a 10% increase in Q4 revenue, reaching $15.4 billion, it also posted a weaker-than-expected earnings outlook for Q1 2024 amid declining demand. CFO David Zinsner highlighted Intel's efforts to save more capital in the upcoming year, building on the $3 billion cost reduction achieved in 2023. Zinsner emphasized the implementation of a new internal foundry model aimed at driving greater Similar to other semiconductor manufacturing companies who have delayed chip factory projects, Intel remains fully committed to the project, citing ongoing progress in the construction of the factory and its supporting facilities.
Research:
Tohoku University Research Group Achieves Breakthrough in Robotics [Assembly]
The research conducted by Tohoku University Graduate School of Engineering represents a major advancement in biomechanics and robotics. It focuses on replicating human-like walking at various speeds using a musculoskeletal model controlled by a reflex method similar to the human nervous system. This achievement is a significant step in understanding human movement and paves the way for innovative developments in robotic technologies. Central to this breakthrough is an innovative algorithm. This algorithm refines the relationship between walking speed and control parameters by prioritizing energy efficiency, enabling the construction of a neural circuit model that facilitates more efficient walking. Looking ahead, the research team aims to further refine the reflex control framework to cover a broader range of human walking speeds and movements. They also plan to apply the insights and algorithms to create more adaptive and energy-efficient bipedal robots.
How Semiconductor Companies Can Fill the Expanding Talent Gap [Mckinsey]
The semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant surge in investment, with close to $1 trillion expected between 2023 and 2030. However, the industry is grappling with a critical talent shortage, a challenge that has been previously highlighted but remains largely unaddressed. With an insufficiency of qualified graduates, an aging workforce, and a poor industry perception, semiconductor companies are facing delays (see above). The industry has seen a dramatic increase in the demand for qualified candidates, with technical job postings in the EU and the US rising by over 75% CAGR from 2018 to 2022. However though the demand has increased the supply of labor is shrinking as the category faces a wave of retirements, subpar branding, and employee dissatisfaction, leading to high attrition rates. This will result in projected shortages of over 100,000 engineers each in the US and Europe and more than 200,000 in Asia-Pacific. To combat these issues, companies must focus on non-traditional career trajectories, empowering middle management, and improving workplace flexibility. Identifying and tapping into underutilized talent pools, such as women and retired professionals, and focusing on skill-based hiring rather than credential-based, can also help bridge the talent gap.
Podcasts:
Using AI to Build Better Robots [What’s Your Problem?]
Machine Shops with Jim Carr [Manufacturing Happy Hour]
Manufacturing Deals🏭💵
Boston Metal- A company on a mission to commercialize breakthrough green steel technology
$20 million [Series C2] - From Marunouchi Innovation Partners
Planned Downtime 🏭🧑🔧
Using Apple Vision Pro