Small Manufacturing Companies in the USA
The New York Times recently ran a story about how Small Factories Emerge as a Weapon in the Fight Against Poverty. Their story centered on urban manufacturing. I live in upstate New York where there are lots of small manufacturing companies scattered across rural communities. Small manufacturers who exist in inner city neighborhoods or small rural towns are a critical part of the employment opportunities for those living near them.
Is There an Engineering Shortage in the United States?
We often hear or read about a shortage or anticipated shortage of engineers in the United States. To address this, programs are developed in elementary and high schools to encourage students to develop a love of math and become prepared for a careers in engineering or other applied sciences. Everyone knows that the United States is suffering from shortages in its science and engineering workforce, and that if continued, these shortages will cause us to fall behind countries who are economic competitors. Common knowledge is that these shortages are due mainly to weaknesses of the US educational system.
The Hazards of Contamination in Stainless Steel Fabrication
Stainless steel contamination can be a real problem in applications that require clean corrosion free surfaces. This is frequently a requirement in labs as well as food and pharmaceutical plants. Stainless steel, when fabricated correctly, provides excellent corrosion resistance. When misapplied, this will not be the case. Precautions must be taken to prevent contamination of stainless steel surfaces during fabrication. This is possible with the proper precautions, when done in a shop in controlled conditions, and more difficult when installation is carried out in a project field location.