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Dragon Innovation Q&A with CEO Scott Miller

A few weeks ago, we tuned into Dragon Innovation’s live Q&A with CEO Scott Miller to find out the keys to manufacturing success. One of the early topics that Scott touched on was the pace of change through technology. Scott started working at iRobot in 1998 as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, designing and debugging the […]

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Five Ways Design Optimization Will Protect Your Bottom Line

Measure twice, cut once is the adage carpenters live by to save on time and materials. Design optimization software enables designers and engineers to measure hundreds of times with multiple designs to visualize the result of these designs without the time, cost, and frankly, hassle of creating the product in real life.  Engineering companies that […]

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Supply Chain Management: Understanding Tariff Mitigation Strategies

Recent changes to tariffs on imports into the United States have started to hit supply chains worldwide. With the effects trickling down, companies are scrambling to find ways to ensure they limit the potential negative impacts on their bottom line profits. In April, General Electric started feeling the repercussions. CEO John Flannery estimated that the […]

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HS codes and HTS Codes in the Import/Export Process

With international manufacturing and global trade playing such an important role in today’s product development world, it’s important to understand how logistics work in every part of the import and export processes.  Aside from understanding incoterms and establishing them with your supplier, HS codes and HTS codes are the other big piece of the puzzle. […]

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August Hardware Roundup: Mega Chips & Origami Robots

Our roundup host this month is Swetha, a manufacturing engineer on our operations team! This month, we’re taking a look at origami robots, stick-on health sensors, and autonomous flight. Hardware Knowledge These origami-like soft robots are fully untethered and move in response to external stimuli. + A tiny, two-legged PCB robot. The Air Force is […]

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Incoterms 101: Everything You Need to Know About International Logistics

In the global manufacturing world, logistics often prove to be the biggest hassle between a buyer and seller. Without a clear understanding of who organizes and covers what aspects of the transaction, it’s easy for responsibility to get muddy and for conflict to arise.  That’s why the International Chamber of Commerce created a list of […]

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Breaking Down the Walls of Product Design with Concurrent Engineering

Have you ever wondered how many people it took to bring that shiny new product you purchased from an idea to the actual object in your hands? It likely took the team effort of many more people than you might have imagined. Industrial design, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, graphic design, packaging design, and more all […]

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July Hardware Roundup: Solar Sails & Robotic Actuators

Our roundup host this month is Drew, our Content Marketing Manager here at Fictiv! We’re diving into brain-machine interfaces, prosthetic arms, and robotic actuators. Hardware Knowledge Tesla is working on building a giant new casting machine to produce the Model Y frame in almost a single piece. Sumitomo has developed an “energy harvester” tire that […]

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June Hardware Roundup: Liquid Motors & Cell Tower Balloons

Our June Hardware Roundup video host is Kat, a Software Engineer here at Fictiv! Our highlights this month include cell tower balloons, unique robotic designs, and tariff tension updates. ‍ Hardware Knowledge The time-intensive CNC process behind Apple’s new Mac Pro grille design. + End-of-life AirPod impact. Rivian’s battery system can transition to stationary energy […]

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Fictiv’s 2019 State of Hardware Report Finds Tariffs Add Cost and Complexity for Product Teams Already Struggling to Get to Market

To overcome these added challenges, the survey shows teams have instituted tariff engineering measures such as a reliance on local manufacturers for product assembly and new manufacturing platforms SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, 2019 – Fictiv today released their fourth annual State of Hardware Report, exposing the added burden of tariffs on an industry already struggling to quickly and […]