The Thomas Blog

Video: Top 10 New Fabricating Technologies - Part 1

If you are interested in the latest trends in metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing, you've probably heard of Fabtech, the annual conference that celebrates the strength of manufacturing

Video: Exoskeleton Technology Becomes A Reality For Industrial Workers

Mixing man with machine is now a reality thanks to the suitX, a California-based robotics company.

After five years of development, the company unveiled a Modular Agile Exoskeleton, or MAX, that can improve worker productivity and limit exposure to long-term health risks. MAX consists of three modules, backX, shoulderX, and legX, which are now available for purchase.

Earthquake-Resistant Building Materials for Seismically Sound Structures

When designing new architecture in seismically active regions, engineers must carefully consider the types of earthquake-resistant building materials necessary to create a safe and sturdy structure. The entire length of the West Coast, for example, experiences frequent tectonic shifts, so architects and engineers from Washington state to Baja California are commonly faced with this task. 

3 Ways Manufacturers Can Give Back This Holiday Season

It's hard to believe, but the holiday season is already upon us. Even if your business is slowing down at this point in the year, it can still be quite hectic.

You're probably planning your first big industrial marketing campaign for 2017, tweaking your PPC strategy for the holidays, scheduling social media posts, writing plenty of content to generate leads — all while trying to squeeze in as much family time as you can.

Still, it's nice to pause and think of what we can do to help others this time of year, and we wanted to showcase a handful of manufacturers who have already taken the lead.

While there are so many manufacturers and industrial companies positively impacting their communities, the next generation and the environment, take a look at three examples of how companies can give back:

Video: Snakebots Could Be The Key To Safer Surgeries

The concept of snakebots is not new. These modular robots, which are comprised of connected-but-independent parts, are able to manipulate their shape according to their surroundings. This is extremely helpful for projects that require a closer view of areas that may be difficult to access or dangerous to enter. But Nabil Simaan, Vanderbilt University bioengineering professor, now wants to use the technology to make surgeries safer.

Industrial Buying Trends for 2016

So you want that $1,000,000 deal, right?

Your company's website is a conversion machine — you're doing SEO, PPC and email nurturing, and you're following all the inbound marketing best practices. Months go by, and you're seeing some really great prospects come through. You get a fair amount $10,000 or $50,000 contracts, but you're still searching for that dream contract that's going to pay for your kids' college.

Well, hate to be the one to tell you this, but you have about a 0.8% chance of getting that big million-dollar contract from a first-time customer. Think about your own business — do you give out big contracts to people you've never worked with before? Nope. You want someone you've vetted with a few smaller projects before you trust them with more of your business, and your customers are no different.

Manufacturing Vote Will Make The Difference On Election Day

If manufacturers have not already begun talking to employees and colleagues about the importance of casting their ballots on November 8, the time is now.

With so many close races from the top of the ticket to the bottom of the ballot, the 12 million manufacturing workers in the U.S. can play a huge role in electing our future leaders.

Video: Did China Steal Wave Technology?

Pelamis Wave Power, a renewable energy manufacturer based in Scotland, was at the forefront of wave technology. In 2004, it became the first company capable of using the technology to generate electricity into the grid.

Video: An Eco-Friendly Porsche That Reaches 172 mph

Porsche is extending their Panamera line of sports sedans to include an electric hybrid called the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. This plug-in hybrid can generate over 460 hp, a top speed of 172 mph, and a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds.