Latest news with #DaveEvans
Forbes
a day ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
What Ford Taught Me About Fixing America's Supply Chain
By Dave Evans, Co-Founder and CEO, Fictiv CAD design I learned the complexities of manufacturing firsthand during my time at Ford. When I joined the Silicon Valley lab—a research center focused on advancing automotive technology—as its first hire, I thought I'd be helping revolutionize how cars are built. I'd come from startups where speed was everything. I remember my shock the first time someone at Ford explained that developing a new vehicle platform takes four to six years. My gut reaction was: Six years? Why does this take so long? Years later, I left with the opposite feeling: How is it even possible to build a car in only six years? The truth is, automotive supply chains are a web of suppliers, sub-suppliers, regulators, safety standards, legacy systems, and global logistics complexity. They're marvels of coordination, but are often held back by processes that haven't fundamentally changed in decades. That gap is exactly why digital manufacturing is more crucial than ever. In software, new code can ship in hours, but in hardware, producing a single part often takes eight to twelve weeks or longer. Digital manufacturing solves this by streamlining and simplifying processes like quoting and sourcing, enabling rapid prototyping through on-demand production networks, and minimizing the number of feedback loops and handoffs between engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing teams—all of which help shorten iterative cycles and reduce the time from design to finished parts. If we want to see the future—self-driving cars, life-saving medical devices, and Mars rockets—we have to close that gap. We have to build hardware at the speed of software. To do that, we need to turn manufacturing from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage. The Reshoring Surge: Bringing Production Back Home Supply chain management ensures efficient operations. Now more than ever, speed to market matters. Renewed investment in U.S. manufacturing helps companies produce parts faster, closer to home, and with greater agility. A big part of the manufacturing comeback in the U.S. is happening in the automotive industry. General Motors recently announced a $4 billion commitment to U.S. production. Other manufacturers are making similar bets, driven by new realities in global trade, consumer demand for local production, and the need for resilient supply chains. GM isn't alone. In fact 68% of manufacturing leaders say reshoring is a critical component of their supply chain strategy. It's also happening in industries like robotics, medtech, and cleantech. Companies like Form Energy are transforming local economies and bringing factories back to life. If we want reshoring to stick, however, we can't just rebuild factories the old way. We have to modernize how manufacturing operates and build supply chains that can withstand an increasingly turbulent trade environment. That's where digital manufacturing comes in. How Strategic Sourcing Went Digital Technician programs and monitors automated manufacturing equipment using a laptop, working in the ... More field of industrial automation and electronics production. Traditionally, if you wanted to source a commodity like sheet metal enclosures, you'd hire a global supply manager (GSM). That GSM would: That process is thorough—but time-consuming and expensive. It can take months (or years). In a distributed, digital model, you can plug into a global supply chain where suppliers are pre-vetted, onboarded, and price-competitive. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time, you access a Fortune 500-level supply chain on demand. This model saves time, reduces risk, and frees up companies to focus on innovation rather than logistics. Digital Factories and Smart Manufacturing Smart industry robot arms for digital factory production technology showing automation manufacturing ... More process of the Industry 4.0 or 4th industrial revolution and IOT software to control operation . The future isn't just about physical parts. It's about digital twins, real-time factory data, and predictive maintenance. Companies like GE, Deloitte, Toyota, and Stanley Black & Decker have built what the World Economic Forum calls 'lighthouse factories'—facilities that use Industry 4.0 tools to operate smarter and faster. Sharing these stories can inspire others and accelerate the adoption of new technologies. Sustainability: The Other Reshoring Driver Beyond geopolitics and technology, sustainability is becoming a critical driver for reshoring and distributed manufacturing. Consumers care more than ever about where their products come from and their environmental impact. One of my favorite examples of companies making a difference is Purcell, which makes bulk food dispensers to reduce plastic food waste in the oceans. Their sustainable food solutions are making their way into large grocery chains. The intersection of sustainability and advanced manufacturing is where I believe some of the biggest innovations of the next decade will emerge. The Role of AI in Manufacturing female automation machine engineer student study and inspection control robot arm machine in ... More university or factory workshop. AI robot technology are new innovation trean for manufacturing in industry 5.0 Finally, let's talk about AI. We're on the brink of an AI-driven revolution in manufacturing. Tools like help engineers choose the best materials for a given application. In the past, I'd have called up Randy, the 30-year resin expert at Ford, to ask about plastic choices for an infotainment system. Experts like Randy are invaluable. But not every company has a Randy. AI can democratize that expertise. AI also powers our DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback, analyzing parts for manufacturability and catching issues early to avoid redesigns later on. AI won't replace skilled people—it will support them by taking care of repetitive, time-consuming tasks. That means engineers can spend less time chasing quotes and more time solving tough design challenges and bringing great products to life. A New Industrial Revolution As I reflect on the past decade, I believe we're at the dawn of the next industrial revolution. Manufacturing today goes far beyond production. It's about: Whether you're GM investing billions in U.S. plants, a robotics startup launching a new product, or a mid-sized manufacturer wrestling with tariffs, the questions are the same: How do we build faster? Smarter? And with more resilience? The answer lies in embracing new ways of working, from digital supply chains to distributed manufacturing networks. It's about shifting from reactive to proactive—turning manufacturing into a competitive advantage rather than a bottleneck. It's a future I'm incredibly excited to help build.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Full tilt: Cedar Point's new Siren's Curse roller coaster is not for the faint of heart 🎢
The wait is over. And now the real wait is about to begin. Cedar Point's newest roller coaster made its debut June 26 for the media and a select group of coaster enthusiasts. The Siren's Curse is slated to make its public debut on June 28 after previews for season passholders on June 27. Long lines are expected on June 28 to ride what is being billed as the tallest, fastest and longest 'tilt' roller coaster in America. Anticipating the excitement for the new coaster, Dave Evans, construction manager for Cedar Point's parent company Six Flags, said they have constructed one of the largest queue lines ever at the park. See it in action 🎢: Watch Beacon Journal reporter ride Siren's Curse and question life decisions The ride has a capacity of anywhere from 900 to 1,000 guests an hour. Evans said they have built the lines to accommodate a one and a half to two-hour wait. Unlike other queue lines in the park, he said, this one will not have any in-park TVs that will distract from the theming of an abandoned Lake Erie shipyard. And guests for this coaster will wait within feet of the coaster as it screams overhead. "You are always in the ride," he said. "This is what is cool about it." With 19 roller coasters now in its lineup from big to small, Cedar Point is home to one of the largest collections of such thrill machines in the world. This one might be most unique with its tilt feature. And this dangling of passengers over the Midway, said Park Manager Colleen Murphy-Brady, is what makes this one particularly exciting for riders and those not brave enough to venture on. "This ride has a lot of spectator value," she said. "Guests are going to want to stop and watch that tilt." Akron coaster enthusiast gives coaster two hands up Akron resident Michael Burkes has been riding coasters for as long as he was tall enough to climb aboard. He's been a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts for some 38 years and first visited Cedar Point in 1973. Burkes, 60, recently rode his milestone 500th coaster in Wisconsin. He thought he had seen and ridden just about everything. But this latest coaster at Cedar Point is certainly one of the most unique and thrilling he's ever encountered. "I am just amazed," Burkes said. He was surprised by its speed and variety of elements − particularly the number of instances of airtime or sense of floating out of your seat. "It is fun and furious," he said. "This is an excellent addition to the park." What is the theme of the Siren's Curse? The Siren's Curse is themed after a collection of mythical sirens who reside under the water in Lake Erie and use their voices in song to lure sailors. The Siren's mournful cries along with equally eerie music play inside of the coaster cars as riders climb the hill to the fateful tilt feature of the coaster. The lift hill of the coaster − designed by the Netherlands firm Vekoma − is supposed to resemble an old 160-foot-tall Lake Erie shipping crane tower What makes the Siren's Curse special? The coaster's signature feature is a 160-foot-tall lift hill where the coaster train precariously tilts riders to the ground below. At the top, riders will encounter a broken track that trails off to nowhere. The tower's platform tilts 90 degrees straight down as the track connects to a twisted track below. The coaster train will then plunge down along 2,966 feet of twisting track at a top speed of 58 mph. In all, riders will experience 13 instances of weightless or so-called airtime moments along with two 360-degree, zero-gravity barrel rolls and a high-speed 'triple-down' element with twisted and overbanked track − all in the span of about two minutes. The coaster trains, that will hold 24 passengers, have integrated audio and LED lighting − both a first for Cedar Point. And the coaster is the first at the park to take riders underground. What to know before you ride the Siren's Curse? The new thrill machine – with its compact vertical design – is situated by the Iron Dragon coaster just off the park's Main Midway. Like any new attraction at Cedar Point, expect long lines from the time the park opens to closing time. You have to be at least 48 inches tall to ride. And riders are not allowed to bring any personal items like water bottles, wallets, keys and cell phones onto the new coaster and will be required to pass through metal detectors. Free short-term small lockers will be available for riders near the entrance to the coaster. Parkgoers with larger items like purses and backpacks will still be required to rent a locker to ride these coasters. If the ride's line is too long, you can always hang around and ride the other coasters and return shortly before closing time when the crowds have thinned out. The park's policy is to let all guests ride an attraction as long as they are in line by closing time. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Siren's Curse debuts to roller coaster enthusiasts at Cedar Point Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent ex-school site used for pitches may be developed
The site of a school which closed 30 years ago is set to be earmarked for development, despite opposition from hundreds of former Ball Green High School is one of 11 pieces of land owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council which the authority wants to declare surplus and include in its local playing fields on the land off Bemersley Road, which lies in the green belt, have been used as football pitches since the school was demolished. More than 440 people have signed a petition asking for the site to be retained for public use. A council report said it was being considered "for various future uses" as part of a wider scheme. And the report to the council's cabinet about the 11 sites states declaring land surplus did not mean a decision had been taken on its it allowed officers to investigate different uses for the local plan will guide development in the city over the next 15 years, including earmarking sites for government has set the city council a housing requirement of 948 homes a year, about twice what is currently delivered. While most of the 11 sites are set to be earmarked for housing, the high school site is part of the Chatterley Whitfield Development Project which considers various future uses. Baddeley, Milton and Norton councillor Dave Evans started the petition and said the council should develop brownfields sites and not build on greenbelt land. "Once you start taking bits of land out of the green belt you get the sort of urban sprawl that the green belt is meant to stop," he said."The Redhills Road site in Milton desperately needs to be developed so the contamination of the land can be dealt with."Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance, said the sites' future will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on 24 June. He said they were aware of the petition and would listen to residents' views and other stakeholders before making any decisions."The council currently owns around 500 buildings and pieces of land, all of which cost a significant amount to maintain, and many are no longer needed. "Reviewing these sites is an important part of our plans to save money, run more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for communities."We are committed to making better use of brownfield land and provide more homes for local people." Where are the 11 potential local plan sites? Bilton Street – BoothenBooth Street – BoothenPower Grove – Longton and Meir Hay SouthBengry Road – Lightwood North and NormacotEaves Lane – Abbey HultonCaverswall Lane – Meir ParkCentral Business District (Smithfield) – Etruria and HanleyWoodhead Road – Abbey HultonBrookwood Drive – Meir NorthCanal Lane, Westport Lane – BurslemBall Green – Baddeley, Milton and Norton Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fictiv Launches Large-Scale CNC Parts Manufacturing
Trusted global supply chain manufacturer now offers large-part CNC machining SAN FRANCISCO, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fictiv, a global manufacturing and supply chain company, announced the launch of its Large Part CNC Machining Services, enabling production of custom CNC parts up to 34 feet long (5X larger than the competition) with industry-leading tolerances, fast turnaround times, and robust global supply chain support. With growing industry demand for large-scale precision components—especially in aerospace, robotics, industrial machinery, and energy generation—Fictiv's expanded capabilities offer unmatched scale, speed, and flexibility. This announcement marks another major step in Fictiv's mission to simplify sourcing and accelerate innovation for complex parts, assemblies, and programs worldwide. Fictiv's large CNC machining services include CNC milling, turning, jig boring, laser cladding, honing, grinding, and heat treatment. Our facilities are equipped with hoists, robotic tending, pallet systems, and gantry-style CMMs with up to 60-ton overhead crane capacity. Materials supported include aluminum, stainless steel, tool steel, carbon steel, copper, ABS, and Delrin. Fictiv's large-scale CNC machining capabilities include: Size & Scale: Custom CNC parts up to 10,500mm (34 ft) in length, manufactured and inspected per certified quality systems. Speed: Lead times as fast as 10 days (for select parts). Accuracy & Precision: Tolerances as tight as 0.007", with advanced inspection (Gantry CMM, 3D scanning, NDT). Certifications: ISO 9001:2015 QMS, AS9100D certified facilities, and compliance with ASME, ASTM, MIL, and AWS standards. Integrated Supply Chain: End-to-end logistics, global sourcing, hardware installation, and assembly. Velentium Medical is a leading contract design and manufacturing organization with a deep background and focus on medical device innovation and manufacturing. "With demand rising in our industry, we needed a partner that could handle large-scale precision parts without slowing us down," said Matt Hanks, CEO at Velentium Medical. "Fictiv's expanded CNC capabilities deliver the scale, speed, and flexibility we rely on to stay competitive in a fast-moving market." Industry Applications: Aerospace: Structural components, engine mounts, fuselage frames Robotics: Frames, arms, and end-of-arm tooling Heavy Equipment: Brackets, housings, booms, and support structures ClimateTech: Wind turbine hubs, energy storage frames Energy Generation: Subsea equipment, pipeline components "Our new large-format CNC capabilities, unlocks an entirely new category of parts for our customers," said Dave Evans, Co-Founder and CEO at Fictiv. "This allows engineers to move faster, build bigger, and manufacture with confidence—knowing every part meets exacting specifications." Fictiv combines global engineering expertise across four manufacturing centers in the U.S., Mexico, India, and China with its advanced supply chain platform to deliver end-to-end solutions, including design guidance, supplier selection, rapid prototyping, strategic sourcing, manufacturing planning, production, assembly, quality assurance, and logistics, allowing enterprises to seamlessly scale from prototype to full production. Fictiv is trusted by over 5,000 leading companies to deliver high-quality components with unmatched precision and reliability. For more information about Fictiv and its CNC machining solutions, visit About FictivFictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company that enables organizations to scale globally without the typical barriers of cost, complexity, and risk. By leveraging Fictiv's four global manufacturing centers in India, Mexico, China, and the U.S., companies can access high-quality production, optimize supply chain logistics, and mitigate supply chain risk—ensuring they can move from prototype to full-scale manufacturing with speed and confidence. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 35 million commercial and prototype parts for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth. Media Contacts:FictivJennifer Shambroom, 5WPRLexi GlicksmanFictiv@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fictiv
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Newsboy's horseracing tips for Tuesday's five meetings including Epsom Nap
A racing returns to Epsom for the first time this year, the meeting provides Newsboy's Nap and next best picks from the day's five race meetings KING'S CODE (2.45, NAP) can follow up an emphatic success at Pontefract to land the historic City & Suburban Handicap at Epsom's first meeting of the year today. Dave Evans's handicapper scored on the all-weather in December and held his form in five more runs on the synthetic. So he was plenty fit enough for his return to turf and had put seven lengths between himself and Forceful Speed in the final furlong at the finish line. It was the highest handicap mark he has won off to date and on that evidence a 5lb penalty may not be enough to stop him. Later on the card YOUR LORDSHIP (4.25, NB) can atone for a narrow defeat at Southwell in a valuable novice event in March. The colt is a choicely bred son of Lope De Vega whose relatives include St Leger winner Masked Marvel and the Arc winner Waldgeist. He was coming back from a five month absence at Southwell and had to be switched at a vital time in the race, doing particularly well to close the gap on the winner to a nose at the post. SELECTIONS
