3D Scanning, Reverse Engineering & Rapidprototyping
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3 Objet 3D Printing Materials Released

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Dan Perreault

Objet Geometries Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, has announced today the commercial availability of three new advanced materials, a new ABS-like Digital Material (RGD5160-DM), a new clear transparent material (Objet VeroClear), and a new addition to the Objet Vero family; the Objet VeroWhitePlus.

With these new additions, the number of Objet 3D printing materials is brought to a total of 65, including 51 composite materials (Digital Materials), for a wide range of rapid prototyping purposes, covering from realistic product visualization all the way to advanced functional verification.

The Objet ABS-like Digital Material is a high-impact (65-80J/m or 1.22-1.50 ft lb/in), high-temperature-resistant (65°C or 149°F and after thermal post treatment 90°C or 194°F) material ideal for manufacturers and engineers looking to functionally simulate products made of ABS-grade engineering plastics, including snap-fit parts, durable and movable parts and products requiring drop-testing.

The Objet Clear material provides clear optical and visual transparency combined with great dimensional stability enabling designers to simulate PMMA in glass-like applications such as lighting cases, lenses and cosmetics containers.

The Objet VeroWhitePlus all-round general purpose material that was recently released for Objet’s desktop family 3D printers is now available for the Objet Eden professional line of 3D printers and the Objet Connex line of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet VeroWhitePlus is ideal for fit and form testing for a wide range of industries and for validating model design.

Maximilian Loerzel, Managing Director for Schroeter, a Germany-based service bureau, commented on the performance of the new materials for the company’s automotive customers, “Both the ABS-like material and the clear transparent material are exactly what we, in the automotive industry, are looking for and are essential for the rapid prototyping of our show car. The ABS-like material, with its heat resistance, toughness and flexibility, is well-suited for simulating outdoor applications, while the clear transparent material arrived just in time for the automotive lighting revolution, enabling us to simulate PlexiGlass final parts, including light guides, lamps, display panels and more.”

Michael Rückner, Head of CAD/CAM Rapid Prototyping Department for Volke Entwicklungsring GmbH, says, “The use of latest technologies is our top priority. Thanks to Objet’s Connex500 with the new digital materials we are able to accelerate the production of ABS-like parts by up to 50%.”

Gary Miller, Head of Rapid Prototyping at IPF, a service bureau in the UK, adds, “I can see huge potential for the new Objet VeroClear material, particularly within the consumer electronics sector. During the beta testing we had great success producing clear screens, casing and housing for electronics. The new clear material allows LED lights to be easily seen within the casings and housings. Objet has considerable advantages over other technologies as well as cutting timescales dramatically. It sounds like a simple requirement, but I doubt others could compete on all these aspects of the job.”

Availability

Objet VeroWhitePlus, recently launched for the Desktop family of 3D printers is now available for the Objet Connex and the Objet Eden 3D printing systems. (Availability initially limited to specific regions). Objet VeroClear is now available for the Objet Connex and the Objet EdenV 3D printing systems. Objet ABS-like material (RGD5160-DM) is now available for the Objet Connex500 multi-material 3D printers. (For existing customers, operating this material requires the installation of an upgrade kit to the existing Objet 3D printer).

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Implementing 3D Technologies — Integration Is The Key

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Dan Perreault

by Martin Stevens, CEO, A1 Technologies

3D technologies have proved to be disruptive within the design, engineering, and manufacturing fields. The advantages that these technologies offer are numerous and well documented — reduced development time, reduced development costs, much faster time-to-market overall, and greater design freedom are just some of the demonstrable benefits when the technologies are integrated well into the manufacturing process.

And herein lies a prerequisite to successful implementation — integration.

Moreover, while it is critical that process integration is achieved, it is just as important to consider the integration of different technologies within the process. Very often, 3D technologies are considered by users to be individual or disparate disciplines.

It is easy to understand why, when they are promoted and sold as separate entities with the promise of great success from using this single technology — to be clear this is true for 3D design, 3D laser scanning, 3D printing, 3D milling and so on.

Yet none of these technologies are able to work in isolation — and they were never intended to do so. They cannot be divorced from the activities required to fulfill them or from one or more other 3D technologies.

They have to be integrated into the workflow processes and with each other. It cannot be overstated that the greatest added value and the best return on investment comes from a holistic approach to product development and creating an integrated system of 3D technologies.

If you take 3D printing as a single discipline, for example, producing a part on a 3D printer is only a small part of the whole process. Designing the part for manufacture and producing the 3D data necessary to do so are of equal importance.

Integration does not happen by itself. Finding the correct combination of 3D technologies for any application that can be integrated with each other and into a company’s way of working is central to successful implementation and subsequently, the results achieved with them.

Furthermore, successful integration is the result of a series of choices to meet a specific need — the application at hand. The applications vary greatly, as does the spectrum of technologies available, but the principle is the same — an holistic approach to 3D technologies and the benefits that they can bring.

It is a principle that I believe in strongly. Without wanting to get too “salesy” it is one of the primary tenets of A1 Technologies and the full range of products supplied — all of which can be fully integrated to each other. It is vital to help users — particularly new users — to fully appreciate 3D technologies and how to integrate them.

For many years I have been party to different individual vendors of 3D technologies, working with some of them, and while their pursuits are valid and in many ways have driven the industry forward, the lack of vision in terms of integration has been stifling. 

If you start at the beginning of any development process involving 3D digital technologies, 3D design data is an essential requirement. As I mentioned in my previous column, designing in 3D is still an exclusive activity and it is often restricted by the dominant design medium, 3D CAD, but there are alternatives. 

Similarly for re-development projects where existing data only exists in 2D, there is a need to create 3D data for it and the easiest way to acquire 3D data for such models is to scan the original and modify or upgrade the resulting 3D model  — reverse engineering — using integrated 3D design software.

Once the 3D digital model has been finalized it has to be produced either by additive or subtractive manufacturing. Without compatible (integrated) software, many layers — excuse the pun — will be added to the development process that can bring frustrations with it, not to mention inaccuracies that translate into an inferior product.

Bringing together a full range of 3D digital products that complement each other and that can be used in conjunction with each other is a primary strategy of A1 Technologies in its bid to prove that high-calibre, integrated advanced 3D technologies are accessible for anyone and everyone. It is a simple message, but an extremely important one, that is often overlooked.

About Martin Stevens & A1 Technologies

Martin Stevens is the CEO of A1 Technologies, an advanced technology company, which he set up jointly with Trupti Patel in early 2009 to bring low cost 3D technologies to as broad a market as possible.  These cutting edge products are sold globally into education, industry and to individuals, with the dedicated remit of changing the way that people think about designing and making in 3D.  Their products meet the needs of education, industry, creatives and hobbyists.

Outside 3D technologies, Martin’s expertise relates primarily to the SME sector, particularly in the fields of manufacturing and education, and his external activities are fully aligned with his professional role. Martin is the Chairman of Made in London, an organisation that supports the needs of the 20,000 manufacturers based in London. He is also currently a Board member of The Mayor’s London Skills and Employment Board and an Employer Champion for the UK Engineering Diploma.

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Objet Illustrates the Productivity and Quality Advantages of 3D Printing Solutions for Digital Dentistry

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Dan Perreault

  “Objet 3D printing solutions provide dentists with a high level of precision that is difficult to achieve using traditional freehand dental techniques,” states Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet. “The ability to perfectly reproduce smooth, finely detailed dental parts in real life, direct from CAD design imagery, represents a significant leap towards the age of full digital dentistry.” 

According to Avi Cohen, Objet technology can reduce the fabrication times of parts and models substantially and output per technician can be dramatically increased. A fast growing number of dental laboratories, including companies such as OPT Clearstep, Glidewell, Albensi Dental, iDent and Remedent, are using the industry-proven technology to fabricate unique stone models, orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, veneer try-ins, full and partial denture try-ins, surgical guides, clear aligners and retainers.

 “The adoption of digital technology is happening rapidly in the dental industry and we see 3D printing as a key part of this workflow trend. The benefits of a process that integrates oral scanning with digital design and digital printing over traditional methods are clear,” asserts Avi Cohen. “Production times are significantly reduced and bottlenecks are a thing of the past as multiple, unique parts are built in single print runs. The precision and accuracy of Objet printed parts will not be beaten and, perhaps more importantly, they’re consistent – the potential for human error is removed from the process. Even the patient experience can be dramatically improved by eliminating the dependence on physical impressions, which can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient.”

Objet will also showcase a broad range of the dental models at IDS, specifically designed for the dental market. The material features extreme toughness, dimensional stability and great detail visualization – producing models that can be handled immediately after being built.

 Avi Cohen concludes, “Choosing the right equipment to get the best return on investment can be tricky. Objet Geometries is committed to enabling dental practitioners to reap the maximum benefits from the digital dentistry era, which is exactly what we’ll be demonstrating at IDS.”

To find out more about Objet’s digital dentistry solutions please visit www.objet.com/dental.

Interested in learning more about 3D Printing in General?  Contact us now:  http://www.3dscanningservices.net/free-sample.asp

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3D Scanning & 3D Printing in Bronze Casting

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Dan Perreault

INSPIRED BRONZE, INC. creates all of its castings via the LOST WAX CASTING PROCESS. Lost wax casting is a process by which A WAX PATTERN is TRANSFORMED INTO METAL.

FIRST, the ARTIST CREATES AN ORIGINAL ARTWORK from wax, clay and/or other material.  In some cases, 3D scanning can be used to capture the original piece.  Once in the computer the 3D data can be scaled up or down to create a model for the new casting.  For reduced sizes, a model can be printed on a 3D printer.

A MOLD is then made of the ORIGINAL SCULPTURE. With some pieces, this can be ACCOMPLISHED by CREATING ONE MOLD for the entire piece. Generally, however the piece must be MOLDED IN PARTS. Most molds are AT LEAST TWO PIECES, and a SHIM with KEYS is placed between the two halves DURING CONSTRUCTION so that the mold can be PUT BACK TOGETHER ACCURATELY. INSPIRED BRONZE often uses FIBERGLASS to make the MOTHER MOLD. To PRESERVE the FINE DETAILS on the ORIGINAL ARTWORK’S SURFACE, an INNER MOLD is made of URETHANE or SILICONE RUBBER which is supported by the mother mold. The ORIGINAL ARTWORK is often damaged or destroyed during the MAKING OF THE MOLD.

ONCE THE MOLD IS FINISHED, MOLTEN WAX is poured into it and SWISHED AROUND until an EVEN COATING covers the ENTIRE INNER SURFACE of the mold. This must be done in SEVERAL LAYERS until the DESIRED THICKNESS is achieved. Once this is complete, the new HOLLOW WAX COPY of the ORIGINAL ARTWORK is removed from the MOLD. Each hollow wax copy is then “chased”. A HEATED METAL TOOL is used to RUB OUT ALL THE MARKS which show the PARTING LINE or FLASHING where the pieces of the MOLD CAME TOGETHER

. The wax is then DRESSED to hide any IMPERFECTIONS. The way the wax looks AT THIS STAGE is what it will look like when it is cast. WAX PIECES that were molded separately can be HEATED AND ATTACHED. REGISTRATION MARKS are used to indicate EXACTLY where they go. ONCE the WAX COPY looks just like the ORIGINAL ARTWORK, it is SPRUED with a TREE-LIKE STRUCTURE of WAX that will eventually provide PATHS for MOLTEN BRONZE to flow, while allowing AIR TO ESCAPE. The CAREFULLY PLANNED SPRUING usually begins at the top with a cup, which is ATTACHED BY WAX CYLINDERS to various points on the WAX COPY.

A SPRUED WAX COPY is dipped into a SLURRY LIQUID of SILICA, then into a SAND-LIKE STUCCO, or DRY SILICA of a controlled grain size. The SLURRY and GRIT combination is called CERAMIC SHELL MOLD MATERIAL. The shell is ALLOWED TO DRY, and the PROCESS is REPEATED until a HALF-INCH THICK or thicker dried coating COVERS THE PIECE. The BIGGER the piece, the thicker the SHELL needs to be.

The CERAMIC SHELL-COATED PIECE is placed cup-down in a KILN, whose heat HARDENS the SILICA coatings into a SHELL, and the WAX MELTS and RUNS OUT. At this point, ALL THAT REMAINS of the ORIGINAL ARTWORK is the NEGATIVE SPACE FORMALLY OCCUPIED by wax. The FEEDER, vent TUBES and cup are now HOLLOW as well.

THE SHELL is REHEATED in the KILN, then placed CUP-UPWARDS into a tub filled with sand. BRONZE is MELTED in a CRUCIBLE in a FURNACE, then POURED carefully INTO THE SHELL. If the SHELL were NOT HOT, the TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE would SHATTER IT. The BRONZE-FILLED SHELLS are allowed to cool. The shell is then HAMMERED or SAND-BLASTED away, releasing the ROUGH BRONZE. The sprues and vents, which are FAITHFULLY RECREATED in metal, are cut off to be RECLAIMED FOR FUTURE CASTINGS.

JUST as the WAX COPY was CHASED, the BRONZE COPY is worked until the tell-tale signs of casting are REMOVED, and the SCULPTURE again LOOKS LIKE the ORIGINAL ARTWORK. Pits left by air bubbles in the MOLTEN BRONZE are filled, and the stubs of spruing FILED DOWN AND POLISHED.

THE BRONZE is then COLORED to the ARTIST’S PREFERENCE, using CHEMICALS APPLIED to carefully HEATED METAL. This COLORING is called PATINA. After the PATINA is APPLIED, several clear coats of LACQUER are applied to PROTECT THE PATINA from change, then a COATING OF WAX is applied to create the TRADITIONAL LOOK and feel of a BRONZE SCULPTURE.

Content provided by Inspired Bronze:  www.inspiredbronze.com

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Range 7 Scanner Integration With NASA PaR Robot Scanning System

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Dan Perreault

An interface bracket and coordinate transformation matrices were designed to allow the Range 7 scanner to be mounted on the PaR Robot detector arm for scanning the heat shield or other object placed in the test cell. A process was designed for using Rapidform XOR to stitch data from multiple scans together to provide an accurate 3D model of the object scanned.

Konica-Minolta Range 7 3D Laser Scanner

Konica-Minolta Range 7 3D Laser Scanner

An accurate model was required for the design and verification of an existing heat shield. The large physical size and complex shape of the heat shield does not allow for direct measurement of certain features in relation to other features. Any imaging devices capable of imaging the entire heat shield in its entirety suffers a reduced resolution and cannot image sections that are blocked from view. Prior methods involved tools such as commercial measurement arms, taking images with cameras, then performing manual measurements. These prior methods were tedious and could not provide a 3D model of the object being scanned, and were typically limited to a few tens of measurement points at prominent locations.

Integration of the scanner with the robot allows for large complex objects to be scanned at high resolution, and for 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) models to be generated for verification of items to the original design, and to generate models of previously undocumented items.

The main components are the mounting bracket for the scanner to the robot and the coordinate transformation matrices used for stitching the scanner data into a 3D model. The steps involve mounting the interface bracket to the robot’s detector arm, mounting the scanner to the bracket, and then scanning sections of the object and recording the location of the tool tip (in this case the center of the scanner’s focal point).

A novel feature is the ability to stitch images together by coordinates instead of requiring each scan data set to have overlapping identifiable features. This setup allows models of complex objects to be developed even if the object is large and featureless, or has sections that don’t have visibility to other parts of the object for use as a reference. In addition, millions of points can be used for creation of an accurate model [i.e. within 0.03 in. (≈0.8 mm) over a span of 250 in. (≈635 mm)].

This work was done by Bradley Burns, Jeffrey Carlson, Mark Minich, and Jason Schuler of Kennedy Space Center. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tspunder the Manufacturing & Prototyping category. KSC-13489/95

Originally posted at:  http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/9143

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Glidewell selects Objet Geometries for model production

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Dan Perreault

Glidewell Laboratories, a provider of dental laboratory services to North America, has announced its latest collaboration with Objet Geometries Ltd. (Rehovot, Israel), innovation leader of 3-Dimensional printing systems. Objet provided Glidewell with the ability to manufacturer custom printed models and other precision dental parts using Objet’s Eden™ 3-D Printing Systems.

Objet and Glidewell have long held a collaborative relationship for implementing Objet’s ultra-thin layer, high-resolution 3-D printing systems on the laboratory production floor. Objet’s printed parts were extensively tested and evaluated by Glidewell Laboratories. After comprehensive testing by Glidewell’s 66-person R&D team, the printed parts for production were approved and qualified.

“Objet is delighted that a leading U.S. dental laboratory such as Glidewell Laboratories has chosen Objet’s dental solution to improve its manufacturing processes,” said Avi Cohen – Head of Medical Solutions at Objet. “We both believe that, in order to redefine the dental laboratory industry, we must implement the leading 3-D Printing technology to provide highly accurate and excellent quality models and parts at an affordable cost.”

“Glidewell Laboratories has made great strides in case-to-case consistency using Objet’s 3-D Printing systems to manufacture dental models for its dentist customers that utilize intra-oral digital scanners like Cadent iTero, Lava COS and Glidewell’s own IOS system,” said Grant Bullis, Director of CAD/CAM Engineering. “With Objet’s technology in-house, we are able to improve our existing processes to not only ensure highly accurate models but also mass-produce them at a faster rate than other printing systems.”

Through longstanding collaboration, Glidewell Laboratories’ 10-person CAD/CAM engineering team has supplied Objet with constructive critique and input for the strategic dental manufacturing by sharing input and experience. This cooperative effort helps produce highly accurate models and is also focused on refining additional printing solutions. The value of this strong collaboration between Glidewell and Objet provides a very fast customization service as part of the support received.

Objet’s 3-D printing solution is an exciting advance for dental technology. Dentists and dental laboratories will electronically submit their cases to Glidewell Laboratories, and the patterns and models are designed and printed. This new process also reduces shipping costs and improves turnaround time.

“Glidewell brings experience, knowledge, vision and the drive to move the global dental restorative technology forward,” concludes Avi Cohen. “Glidewell continues to be a great source of inspiration for Objet, and we certainly look forward to working with them on future products.”

About Glidewell Laboratories, Inc.

Glidewell Dental Lab is an industry leader thanks to its innovative dental technology, solutions-driven R&D department, and dedication to providing free clinical and technical education to dentists and laboratories worldwide. Glidewell Laboratories, Inc. was founded in 1970 and is based in Newport Beach, Calif., USA.

About Objet Geometries

Objet Geometries Ltd., the innovation leader in 3-Dimensional printing, provides 3-D printing systems that enable manufacturers and industrial designers to reduce cost of product development and dramatically shorten time-to-market of new products.
Objet’s ultra-thin-layer, high-resolution 3-D printing systems and materials utilize PolyJet™ and PolyJet Matrix™ polymer jetting technologies to print ultra-thin layers. The market-proven Eden™ line of 3-D Printing is based on Objet’s patented office-friendly PolyJet Technology. All Objet systems use Objet’s FullCure® materials to create accurate, clean, smooth and highly detailed 3-D models. Objet systems are in use by world leaders in many industries, including dental, automotive, electronics, toy, consumer goods and footwear industries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan. Founded in 1998, Objet serves its growing worldwide customer base through offices in USA, Europe and Hong Kong, and a global network of distribution partners. Objet owns more than 50 patents and patent pending inventions.

This press release was originally posted at:  http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/articles/show/dlp0810_news-Glidewell-Objet

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Nonlinear Thinking: 3D Printing To Revolutionize Manufacturing

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Dan Perreault

This article was original posted at:  http://www.businessinsider.com/nonlinear-thinking-3d-printing-to-revolutionize-manufacturing-2011-2

It works like this. First you call up a 3D CAD model on your computer screen and tinker with its shape and colour where necessary. Then you press print. A machine nearby whirrs into life and builds up the object gradually, either by depositing material from a nozzle, or by selectively solidifying a thin layer of plastic or metal dust using tiny drops of glue or a tightly focused beam. Products are thus built up by progressively adding material, one layer at a time: hence the technology’s other name, additive manufacturing. Eventually the object in question—a spare part for your car, a lampshade, a violin—pops out. The beauty of the technology is that it does not need to happen in a factory. Small items can be made by a machine like a desktop printer, in the corner of an office, a shop or even a house; big items—bicycle frames, panels for cars, aircraft parts—need a larger machine, and a bit more space…

By reducing the barriers to entry for manufacturing, 3D printing should also promote innovation. If you can design a shape on a computer, you can turn it into an object. You can print a dozen, see if there is a market for them, and print 50 more if there is, modifying the design using feedback from early users. This will be a boon to inventors and start-ups, because trying out new products will become less risky and expensive. And just as open-source programmers collaborate by sharing software code, engineers are already starting to collaborate on open-source designs for objects and hardware.

This fits our theme of decentralization, from farming to energy, which we believe will be a mega trend over the next 50 years.  There may be little need for factories as local towns or businesses have their own fabricators and could result in a massive repatriation of manufacturing back to developed countries from low wage manufacturing countries.

Our sense is the Chinese are already onto this and is a major reason why they’re moving quickly as possible away from the Chimerica model.   The article is worth a read and we highly recommend taking an hour or two getting familiar with the theme.  A lot of money is going to made with this theme, both at the micro and macro level, in our opinion.   (click here if video is not observable)

Related Articles
Print me a Stradivarius – Economist
3D printing: The printed world – Economist
3-D Printing Spurs a Manufacturing Revolution  – NY Times
Scott Summit — The Future of 3D Printing – Video

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/nonlinear-thinking-3d-printing-to-revolutionize-manufacturing-2011-2#ixzz1Df2vxfSX

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Some Manufacturers Recover From Recession With More Automation, Better Profits In Line.

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Dan Perreault

 The website MSNBC (2/7, Schoen) reported, “The U.S. manufacturing sector is roaring back after the worst recession in generations. So why aren’t factory jobs coming back as quickly?” A “big reason” is that “business executives like Drew Greenblatt, owner of Baltimore-based Marlin Steel Wire Products, have figured out how to make more widgets with the same number of workers. To do so, he’s had to upgrade the skills – and wages – of his employees. But his profits are bigger than ever.” MSNBC added that last year the company “installed $700,000 worth of robots, continuing a steady process of automation Greenblatt began when he bought the company in 1998,” and “revenues and profits were up 12 percent – his best year since buying the company in 1998. That year, Merlin Steel did $800,000 in sales with 18 workers. Today the company has 25 employees and does $3.9 million in sales, exporting to 33 countries.”

This concept definately falls in step with what we’ve been preaching about 3d scanning and 3d printing.  These technologies assist manufacturing in producing better products, more quickly.  Have a newer products on the market faster tends to spawn more consumer spending and thus improves the overall economic outlook.

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NeoMetrix to Display 3D Scanning & 3D Printing Solutions at MD&M Show in Orlando, FL

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Dan Perreault

Orlando, FL– NeoMetrix Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of 3d scanning and 3d printing products and services will be displaying the latest technology for reverse engineering, computer aided inspection and rapid prototyping at the upcoming MD&M show Wednesday through Thursdy, March 16-17, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, West Hall D,Orlando, FL 32819

On display in booth 356 will be 3D scanning technology from Konica-Minolta and Creaform, 3D printers from Objet Geometries, and reverse engineering software from Rapidform and Geomagic.

According to Dan Perreault, President of NeoMetrix, “we see the MD&M show as a great opportunity to introduce the benefits of 3D scanning and 3D printing to the medical device industry”

These technologies help manufactures produce better designs, and get new products to market faster.  More information on the event can be found at:  http://www.canontradeshows.com/expo/south11/

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Factory Activity Expands At Fastest Pace In Seven Years.

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Dan Perreault

 

The AP (2/1, Rugaber) reported, “Factory activity expanded in January at the fastest pace in nearly seven years, as manufacturers reported a sharp jump in new orders.” The manufacturing activity index from the Institute for Supply Management reached 60.8 last month, marking the 18th straight month of expansion. “Consumers are spending more on autos, appliances and other goods, while businesses have invested in more industrial machinery and computers.” And, this level “of expansion is likely to continue in the coming months. Manufacturing firms surveyed by ISM said their backlog of orders jumped in January.” Exports also rose on higher overseas sales.

        Reuters (2/2) reports that inflation indicators rose with the growing factory activity. “All in all, the ISM report showed the trend in manufacturing output growth (and hiring) rising solidly at the beginning of 2011,” according to a research note from UBS Investment Research. Experts cautioned, however, “that the employment number is more about the willingness to hire, rather than an increase in the absolute numbers.” They added that, “while the prices paid index suggests higher input costs, the overall impact on consumer price inflation monitored by the Federal Reserve will remain muted as wage growth, a key driver of service costs, has remained moderate.”

        The Phoenix Business Journal (2/2) reports, “The January data from Tempe’s Institute for Supply Management show the US manufacturing sector reached its highest level of productivity since May 2004. The group’s manufacturing index hit 60.8 percent in January, up from December’s reading of 58.5 percent.” The article noted that, “of the 18 manufacturing industries tracked, 14 reported growth in January. Those with the strongest growth were petroleum and coal products; primary metals; and apparel. The four industries reporting contraction in January were textile mills; printing and related support activities; plastics and rubber products; and nonmetallic mineral products.”

        “Today’s ISM report on manufacturing clearly shows that momentum is again building for this sector, after somewhat slower growth in the fall due to the normal inventory swing, and that growth is being driven by improving demand,” Thomas J. Duesterberg, the head of the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, is quoted as saying in IndustryWeek (2/2, Selko). “Employment prospects are improving, but will be limited by the continuing productivity surge,” Duesterberg said. “Construction is still lagging, and limits demand for building materials and puts a damper on employment prospects. Overall, this report suggests that manufacturing will continue to lead the recovery at least through mid-year.”

        The Financial Times (2/1, Rappeport, subscription required) quotes Deutsche Bank strategist Alan Ruskin as saying, “This only confirms that the US is at the leading edge of the global pick-up in manufacturing.” Under the headline “Manufacturing Notches Strong Growth,” the Wall Street Journal (2/2, Lahart, Blackstone, subscription required) also reports the story.

        ISM Chairman: Manufacturers Can Prevent Raw Material Costs From Hurting Earnings. Bloomberg News (2/2, Willis) reports, “Manufacturers in the US will be able to prevent rising raw-material prices from hurting earnings in coming months, according to Norbert Ore, chairman of the Institute for Supply Management’s factory survey.” Ore said that “by combining some price increases with gains in productivity and growing sales, factories will be able keep profits climbing.” He added, “The challenge is going to be to offset the increase in commodity prices through either increased productivity, expanding volumes or price recovery. … You try to work all three of those levers. The net effect on profits, given the volumes we’re looking at and the amount of growth we’re seeing, shouldn’t present a problem in the first quarter.”

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