Plastics, robotics, and compliant design called keys to productivity as exhibitors head cautiously to Design & Manufacturing Mid

Motor-drive maker Minarik (www.minarik.com) says it is the first U.S. firm to install MC-1 SMT (Surface Mount Technology) pick-and-place machines from Assembléon in the Netherlands. Minarik says it was also the first dc drive manufacturer to use SMT Technology. The new machines take the place of older models but are linked to a server network for data management and the ability to release new product designs to the manufacturing floor quickly.