ASME TechCast

As NASA plans to returning astronauts to the Moon and future long-duration exploration missions, additive manufacturing will continue to play a greater role in the future of space. One of additive’s most exciting areas is bioprinting of living cells. Indiana-based aerospace company TechShot’s Chief Scientist Eugene Boland, who is currently leading the team that manages the 3D Biofabrication facility aboard the International Space Station, discusses the advances and challenges of bioprinting in space.

With a lack of clear understanding of the industry standards and the difficulties in laboratory testing, engineers have had many challenges when designing acoustic insulation for piping systems. The engineers at Owens Corning look to solve the problem by introducing a new method of modeling and simulation that can accurately predict a piping system’s acoustic insulation need. Doug Fast, technical leader for industrial mineral wool, and Kevin Herreman, a principal acoustic scientist from Owens Corning, sit down for part two of our series on piping system design and how engineers can leverage the power of simulation to design more efficiently and accurately.

The challenges surrounding the piping industry are multi-faceted. One of the significant issues is proper guidance on sound insulation. While there are test methods and houses that can help engineers predict the required acoustic insulation, understanding the exact requirements for proper insulation can be challenging—one many engineers make retroactively on-site. Owens Corning is introducing new simulation software that helps predict the insulation requirements, and engineers can create predictive design models to reduce costs and improve installs. Doug Fast, technical leader for industrial mineral wool, and Kevin Herreman, a principal acoustic scientist from Owens Corning, discuss the challenge engineers face when designing piping systems and their acoustic insulation requirements.

As the manufacturing supply chain starts to shift into the digital space, firms large and small will explore new opportunities in on-demand manufacturing as a service. Xometry, a leading AI-enabled digital marketplace where buyers can source on-demand manufactured parts and assemblies, has helped companies of all sizes explore digital manufacturing possibilities. Greg Paulsen, director of application engineering at Xometry, walks us through how companies like NASA and BMW have leveraged on-demand manufacturing.

The supply chain experienced significant disruption last year as the pandemic wreaked havoc across several industries. Digital manufacturing as a service has aided companies in transitioning traditional manufacturing processes to an online platform. Companies now have access to a multitude of vendors and suppliers at their disposal, creating new opportunities for faster production times and new manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing. Greg Paulsen, director of application engineering at Xometry, discusses with Mechanical Engineering how the supply chain has shifted and the future of digital manufacturing.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how many viewed engineering education. The push towards online education highlighted new possibilities and vulnerabilities within the education sector. As schools being to reopen and students return to school, engineering colleges and universities must reevaluate their educational direction and build upon the new models established during the pandemic. Mike Grandinetti is a mechanical engineering professor, and CEO and co-founder of Global Venture Catalyst, a new model of professional education that leverages data and AI to connect professionals and students through project-based learning. He speaks with ASME TechCast on the state of education and how the model can pivot in the digital age.

The U.S. offshore wind power industry is in its early stages but is poised to move quickly. The Biden administration is throwing its weight behind the buildout. There are 18.6 GW of procurements forecasts through 2030 and a whopping $68.2 billion in work and contracts for suppliers. However, to be successful, there must be a solid supply chain, unlike a mature network of suppliers in Europe. Brandon Burke, vice president of policy and regulatory engagement for the Business Network for Offshore Wind, talks about standing up a supply chain in this latest ASME Techcast.

The manufacturing industry is always in a state of flux. As new technologies are introduced, the methods of production need to update to stay current. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for digital transformation and on-demand manufacturing solutions robust enough to survive supply chain disruptions. Jean Olivieri, chief operating officer at Fictiv, an on-demand manufacturing cloud platform, discusses the company’s 2021 State of Manufacturing Report and how the events of 2020 have shaped the future of manufacturing.

The industrial centers of the United States were once called the Arsenal of Democracy, but manufacturing and national defense are still tightly linked. Jeffrey Winters, the editor in chief of Mechanical Engineering magazine, talks with manufacturing experts Steven Schmid and Shreyes Melkote about the importance of maintaining—and expanding—America’s manufacturing edge.

As the Internet of Things has developed throughout the years, different industries are exposed to its advancements at different times. The oil and gas industry is currently experiencing the “big data” revolution like the manufacturing sector had undergone years prior. Robello Samuel, Ph.D., is a chief technical advisor and technology fellow at Halliburton since 1998. He will be speaking on “Hu: The Human Element in Data-Driven Digital Transformation” panel on how the human element and data-driven digital transformation will change the outlook of the oil and gas industry.