Advanced Ceramics / Columns / Forming and Finishing / Resource Management

Inside CI: Continual Evolution

It’s exciting to pause and imagine what might be possible in the next five years.

I’m writing this column in the midst of a very busy week. Sometime between conference calls and podcast recordings, I realized how little time I now need to spend on tasks that—even just a few years ago—took up the majority of my day. Publishing has evolved to the point that we’re now able to focus on additional platforms and technologies that we can use to complement the traditional print magazine. This evolution helps our staff work more efficiently and effectively, while also enabling us to provide additional quality content to our readership community in the way(s) that works best for them.

The same can be said for many industries, including ceramic manufacturing. The grinding process is one facet of the ceramic industry that has evolved to help improve overall productivity and quality. Particularly for brittle materials such as advanced ceramics, manufacturers can improve their yield by keeping several important factors in mind. Read Grinding Brittle Materials to learn more. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Tom Shearer, the article’s author, who also shared some additional details regarding the importance of materials handling. Our conversation is available at www.ceramicindustry.com/pods.

The lean movement has provided multiple opportunities for ceramic and glass manufacturers to improve their processes. Corning’s Vincent Howell shares insights regarding Value Stream Mapping in this issue. He writes, “At a high level, a value stream map is a visualization tool for recording all of the processes that touch the product as it proceeds to the market or point of delivery.” 

 Think back through everything you’ve accomplished in the past few days, and image if those tasks would have been achievable even just five years ago. It’s exciting to pause and imagine what might be possible in the next five years. For now, though, I need to get back to work! 

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to Ceramic Industry Magazine.

Susan Sutton is Editor-in-Chief, Integrated Media of Ceramic Industry magazine. She can be reached at suttons@bnpmedia.com or (330) 336-4098.

Recent Articles by Susan Sutton

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Podcasts

Sapphire: An Extreme Performer

Ian Doggett of Goodfellow and CI Editor Susan Sutton discuss the benefits and opportunities provided by industrial sapphire.

More Podcasts

THE MAGAZINE

Ceramic Industry Magazine

CI October 2013 cover

2013 October

The 2013 October Ceramic Industry includes articles on Chinese refractories, synthetic sapphire, and more. Check it out today!

Table Of Contents Subscribe

THE CERAMIC INDUSTRY STORE

M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Ceramics Industry\handbook of advanced ceramics.gif
Handbook of Advanced Ceramics Machining

Ceramics, with their unique properties and diverse applications, hold the potential to revolutionize many industries, including automotive and semiconductors.

More Products

Clear Seas Research

Clear Seas ResearchWith access to over one million professionals and more than 60 industry-specific publications,Clear Seas Research offers relevant insights from those who know your industry best. Let us customize a market research solution that exceeds your marketing goals.

Directories

CI Data Book July 2012

Ceramic Industry's Directories including Components, Equipment Digest, Services, Data Book & Buyers Guide, Materials Handbook and much more!

STAY CONNECTED

facebook_40px twitter_40px  youtube_40pxlinkedin_40