It’s hard to teach a robot to sew. Robots are good at handling materials that are rigid and easy to lift, cut and maneuver. It’s why they’re are widely used in auto manufacturing. But it’s a different story with making clothes. Continue reading
It’s hard to teach a robot to sew. Robots are good at handling materials that are rigid and easy to lift, cut and maneuver. It’s why they’re are widely used in auto manufacturing. But it’s a different story with making clothes. Continue reading
The last time a piece of technology significantly overhauled the textile industry, it was 1842 with the invention of the sewing machine. Today, robots can handle parts Continue reading
COROZAL, PUERTO RICO–(Marketwired – Oct 3, 2016) – Bluewater Defense, Inc. (BWD) is celebrating National Manufacturing Day for the first time – an appreciation of what 12 million people around the United States demonstrate every day – pride in manufacturing products which improve the quality of life in the U.S. and around the world.
The Company will be hosting a Manufacturing Day Celebration event to showcase modern apparel manufacturing technology and the rewarding careers in manufacturing on October 7, 2016 at 12:00 pm, inviting local intermediate and high school students, neighbors from Corozal Community, government agencies, and the local Lions Club members.
The event will be held at Bluewater Defense’s Corozal, Puerto Rico manufacturing facility and will include informative presentations and an in-depth tour of BWD’s Corozal production area, where the large scale production of the Army Combat Uniform Trouser takes place. Participants will be exposed to the technology, automation and highly skilled operations needed to make 4,000 trousers every day.
The production supervisors, engineers, and other staff members will explain the processes that occur in their stations from the fabric cutting process through sewing and final packaging. Students and community members will see the pride and care shared by each of the employees that go into every stitch in making the combat uniforms to support those that defend our country.
October 7 marks the fifth annual Manufacturing Day(SM) when thousands of manufacturers across the nation will host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and community leaders at open houses, plant tours and educational sessions to feature modern manufacturing and the vital jobs available.
Organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Manufacturing Day provides a way for industry, schools, and government to collaborate and offer the public an opportunity to see how U.S. products are manufactured right in their own communities. The collaborative events across the nation are powerful in educating the public about manufacturing and its rewarding, challenging careers and helping manufacturers throughout the U.S. connect with their communities and the next generation workforce.
Encouraged by Juan Hernandez Mayoral, Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and the Washington Representative of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Bluewater Defense is participating in the national event to raise awareness about the strength of manufacturing in the Corozal community and engage and educate young people in manufacturing.
As a small business – 100% locally-owned and operated in Puerto Rico and as a significant employer on the island, BWD has been recognized by the Government of Puerto Rico for its commitment to improving the lives of its employees and the people within the local communities.
“Supporting National Manufacturing Day is another step in our commitment to bringing jobs back to Puerto Rico, USA,” said Eric Spackey, CEO of Bluewater Defense. “Educating students and our neighbors about our modern work-day environment will show how far apparel manufacturing has come in their own community. Seeing for themselves how integral automation, robotics, control systems and computers are to producing a garment will introduce the future workforce to the career options and exciting work environments manufacturing offers.”
Americans rightly consider manufacturing among one of the most important domestic industries for maintaining a strong national economy.
“If we’re going to help the next generation of Americans succeed, we need to begin by ensuring there are meaningful jobs in the workforce and start thinking strategically on what is best for America going forward,” said Spackey. “It is not just about today’s workforce. It is about building a strong U.S. manufacturing industry for the generations that succeed us. The strength of the industry is dependent on the creativity, innovation and commitment of the next generation of skilled employees. We welcome the opportunity to support our local community and inspire the future workforce.”
To learn more about Bluewater Defense Manufacturing Day Celebration, visit http://www.mfgday.com/events/2016/bluewater-defense.
Next Generation, Low-Profile, Lightweight Antennas Offer 200% More Coverage Using Patented, Graphene-Enhanced Technology
Washington, DC-AUSA 2016 (October 4, 2016) – Bluewater Defense, Inc. and Vorbeck Materials Corp. (AUSA 2016 BOOTH#7617) announce the introduction of next generation, high-performance wearable antennas for military, tactical and commercial use in apparel and equipment featuring multiple communication bands including LTE capabilities.
Bluewater and Vorbeck partnered to offer robust, high-gain, low-cost, and discrete conformal printed graphene antennas embedded in military apparel and backpacks. Benefits include:
“We expect that our military and defense leaders will appreciate a high performance wearable antenna with little or no silhouette, therefore better protecting the warfighter,” says Vorbeck’s CEO, John Lettow, Ph.D. “Two additional benefits of this technology are that its delivers real-time, “on-the-go” communication capabilities because there is no need to deploy an external antenna, and they also interface with traditional electronics, making them very easy to field,” he said.
Vorbeck has pioneered the use of graphene in printed, flexible electronic components and systems for a wide variety of industries and applications. Using high volume printing technologies and its suite of commercial Vor-ink™ formulations, Vorbeck designs and fabricates multilayer electronic products, including antennas, sensors, switches, and wiring.
From military and defense applications to security packaging, RFID, and consumer wearable electronics, Vorbeck’s patented flexible electronic and antenna technologies can be embedded anywhere including; jackets, clothing, backpacks, briefcases, and other assorted wearables, and labeling–to improve communication in a digital world.
“Our strength is our ability to ‘connect the past with the future’,” says Eric Spackey, CEO, Bluewater Defense. “With Vorbeck’s next generation cellular antenna technology, we are moving information from the fabric of what we wear to the Cloud,” he said.
Bluewater and Vorbeck will be featuring a variety of apparel, backpacks, action packs, straps, and other related products at 2016 AUSA Meeting & Expo in Washington, D.C., October 4-5, Washington, D.C., Booth 7617. Demonstrations at the booth during show hours or available upon request.
ABOUT BLUEWATER DEFENSE
Bluewater Defense, Inc. (BWD) is a leading manufacturer of protective clothing, uniforms and equipage for the United States Department of Defense. With over 29 years of experience, the Company is dedicated to meeting the varying needs of their industry partners and the military through mass production, specialized custom and short run production, rapid prototyping, and a unique focus on innovation. Bluewater Defense is a Puerto Rico based company, currently operating with 500 employees in a five-building campus located in Corozal, Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.bluewaterdefense.com
About Vorbeck Materials Corp.
Vorbeck Materials is a global leader in graphene enhanced products and solutions. Born out of Professor Ilhan Aksay’s Princeton Research Lab, Vorbeck is now bringing products to market with some of the most well recognized brands and institutions in the world. Vorbeck has pioneered the use of graphene in printed, flexible electronic components and systems for a wide variety of industries and applications. Using high volume printing technologies and its suite of commercial Vor-ink™ formulations, Vorbeck designs and fabricates multilayer electronic products, including antennas, sensors, switches, and wiring.
Vorbeck has the capability to integrate this groundbreaking material seamlessly into products that are ready to ship. Vorbeck’s award-winning, patented technology is based on single-atom thick graphene sheets: it has applicability for Antennas, RFID, Wearables, Next Generation Battery Development, Composites, and Conductive Inks. For more information, visithttp://www.vorbeck.com or call +1-301-497-9000.