Connect with us

Technology

UScellular reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 results

Published

on

Provides guidance for 2024

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 

As previously announced, UScellular will hold a teleconference on February 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CST. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE: USM) reported total operating revenues of $1,000 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, versus $1,048 million for the same period one year ago. Net income (loss) attributable to UScellular shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share were $14 million and $0.16, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $(28) million and $(0.33), respectively, in the same period one year ago.

UScellular reported total operating revenues of $3,906 million and $4,169 million for the years ended 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net income attributable to UScellular shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $54 million and $0.63, respectively, for the year ended 2023 compared to $30 million and $0.35, respectively, for the year ended 2022.

Full-year 2023 Highlights*

Postpaid ARPU grew 2%Delivering on growth initiativesFixed wireless customers grew 46% to 114,000Tower rental revenues grew 8% to $100 millionIncreased profitabilityNet income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA upGenerated positive free cash flow and increased cash flows from operating activitiesBegan launching 5G mid-band network – providing low latency and faster speeds

*Comparisons are Year Ended December 31, 2023 to Year Ended December 31, 2022

“At UScellular, we are focused on connecting people to what matters most,” said Laurent Therivel, UScellular President and CEO. “In 2023, Postpaid ARPU increased 2%, we made significant progress on our 5G network deployment, and we delivered strong results in fixed wireless. Even though we experienced challenging subscriber results in an aggressive competitive environment, I’m pleased with the improvements we were able to drive in profitability year over year.   

“In 2024, we plan to continue focusing on improving subscriber results, driving growth in fixed wireless and towers, and maintaining financial discipline as we advance the network through our mid-band deployment.”

Recent Development: On August 4, 2023, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) and UScellular announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies decided to initiate a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for UScellular. The process is still ongoing.

2024 Estimated Results

UScellular’s current estimates of full-year 2024 results are shown below. Such estimates represent management’s view as of February 16, 2024 and should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. UScellular undertakes no duty to update such estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from estimated results.

2024 Estimated
Results

Actual Results for

the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

(Dollars in millions)

Service revenues

$2,950-$3,050

$3,044

Adjusted OIBDA1, 2

$750-$850

$818

Adjusted EBITDA1, 2

$920-$1,020

$986

Capital expenditures

$550-$650

$611

 

The following table reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income or Income before income taxes. In providing 2024 estimated results, UScellular has not completed the below reconciliation to Net income because it does not provide guidance for income taxes. Although potentially significant, UScellular believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, UScellular is unable to provide such guidance.

2024 Estimated
Results2

Actual Results for

the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

Actual Results for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2022

(Dollars in millions)

Net income (GAAP)

N/A

$58

$35

Add back:

Income tax expense

N/A

53

37

Income before income taxes (GAAP)

$40-$140

$111

$72

Add back:

Interest expense

195

196

163

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

665

656

700

EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1

$900-$1,000

$963

$935

Add back or deduct:

Expenses related to strategic alternatives review

—

8

—

Loss on impairment of licenses

—

—

3

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

20

17

19

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

—

(1)

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

—

(2)

—

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1

$920-$1,020

$986

$956

Deduct:

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

160

158

158

Interest and dividend income

10

10

8

Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1

$750-$850

$818

$790

1 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. UScellular does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation above are infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of UScellular’s operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, nonrecurring expenses, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of UScellular’s financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, gains and losses, and expenses related to the strategic alternatives review of UScellular while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The table above reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income or Income before income taxes. Additional information and reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for December 31, 2023, can be found on UScellular’s website at investors.uscellular.com.

2

2024 Estimated Results do not reflect any anticipated costs, expenses or results of the strategic alternatives review referenced above.

 

Conference Call Information

UScellular will hold a conference call on February 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com or at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/105947395Access the call by phone at (888) 330-2384 (US/Canada), conference ID: 1328528

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.uscellular.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.uscellular.com.

About UScellular
United States Cellular Corporation provides a comprehensive range of wireless products and services, excellent customer support, and a high-quality network to customers with 4.6 million retail connections in 21 states. The Chicago-based company had 4,300 full- and part-time associates as of December 31, 2023. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. owned approximately 83% of UScellular. For more information about UScellular, visit uscellular.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: whether any strategic alternatives for UScellular will be successfully identified or completed; whether any such strategic alternative will result in additional value for UScellular and its shareholders and whether the process will have an adverse impact on UScellular’s business; intense competition; the ability to attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; UScellular’s smaller scale relative to larger competitors; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms and changes in roaming practices; the ability to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs, including participation in FCC auctions; changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, or churn rates; advances in technology; impacts of costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of UScellular’s businesses; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its networks; difficulties involving third parties with which UScellular does business; uncertainties in UScellular’s future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; the value of assets and investments; the state and federal regulatory environment; pending and future litigation; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; potential conflicts of interests between TDS and UScellular; disruption in credit or other financial markets; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; and the impact, duration and severity of public health emergencies. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in the most recent filing of UScellular’s Form 10-K.

For more information about UScellular, visit: www.uscellular.com

United States Cellular Corporation

Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

As of or for the Quarter Ended

12/31/2023

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

3/31/2023

12/31/2022

Retail Connections

Postpaid

Total at end of period

4,106,000

4,159,000

4,194,000

4,223,000

4,247,000

Gross additions

129,000

128,000

125,000

137,000

154,000

Handsets

80,000

84,000

83,000

93,000

105,000

Connected devices

49,000

44,000

42,000

44,000

49,000

Net additions (losses)

(50,000)

(35,000)

(28,000)

(24,000)

(17,000)

Handsets

(53,000)

(38,000)

(29,000)

(25,000)

(20,000)

Connected devices

3,000

3,000

1,000

1,000

3,000

ARPU1

$        51.61

$        51.11

$        50.64

$        50.66

$        50.60

ARPA2

$      131.63

$      130.91

$      130.19

$      130.77

$      130.97

Handset upgrade rate3

5.8 %

4.5 %

4.8 %

4.9 %

7.0 %

Churn rate4

1.44 %

1.30 %

1.21 %

1.27 %

1.35 %

Handsets

1.22 %

1.11 %

1.01 %

1.06 %

1.12 %

Connected devices

3.03 %

2.64 %

2.65 %

2.78 %

2.99 %

Prepaid

Total at end of period

451,000

462,000

462,000

470,000

493,000

Gross additions

43,000

52,000

50,000

43,000

61,000

Net additions (losses)

(11,000)

—

(8,000)

(23,000)

—

ARPU1, 5

$        32.32

$        33.44

$        33.86

$        33.19

$        33.34

Churn rate4

3.87 %

3.68 %

4.18 %

4.63 %

4.11 %

Market penetration at end of period

Consolidated operating population

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,370,000

Consolidated operating penetration6

15 %

15 %

15 %

15 %

15 %

Capital expenditures (millions)

$            148

$            111

$            143

$            208

$            176

Total cell sites in service

7,000

6,973

6,952

6,950

6,945

Owned towers

4,373

4,356

4,341

4,338

4,336

Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year.

1         

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) – metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of months in the period. These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below:

Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid connections.Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid connections.

2         

Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA) – metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.

3          

Handset upgrade rate calculated as total handset upgrade transactions divided by average postpaid handset connections.

4          

Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period.

5          

Fourth quarter 2023 Prepaid ARPU excludes a $6 million reduction of prepaid revenue related to an adjustment to correct a prior period error recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

6         

Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total estimated population of consolidated operating markets. 

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

2022

2023 vs.
2022

2023

2022

2023 vs.
2022

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

Operating revenues

Service

$     755

$   774

(3) %

$  3,044

$  3,125

(3) %

Equipment sales

245

274

(10) %

862

1,044

(17) %

Total operating revenues

1,000

1,048

(5) %

3,906

4,169

(6) %

Operating expenses

System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)

183

181

1 %

740

755

(2) %

Cost of equipment sold

280

330

(15) %

988

1,216

(19) %

Selling, general and administrative

349

374

(7) %

1,368

1,408

(3) %

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

166

179

(8) %

656

700

(6) %

Loss on impairment of licenses

—

—

—

—

3

N/M

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

3

11

(67) %

17

19

(9) %

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

—

N/M

—

(1)

N/M

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

(2)

—

N/M

(2)

—

N/M

Total operating expenses

979

1,075

(9) %

3,767

4,100

(8) %

Operating income (loss)

21

(27)

N/M

139

69

N/M

Investment and other income (expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

37

36

3 %

158

158

–

Interest and dividend income

2

3

(24) %

10

8

26 %

Interest expense

(49)

(49)

(3) %

(196)

(163)

(21) %

Total investment and other income (expense)

(10)

(10)

(10) %

(28)

3

N/M

Income (loss) before income taxes

11

(37)

N/M

111

72

54 %

Income tax expense (benefit)

(4)

(9)

64 %

53

37

43 %

Net income (loss)

15

(28)

N/M

58

35

67 %

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

1

—

(53) %

4

5

(24) %

Net income (loss) attributable to UScellular shareholders

$       14

$    (28)

N/M

$       54

$     30

80 %

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

85

85

1 %

85

85

–

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular shareholders

$    0.17

$ (0.33)

N/M

$    0.64

$  0.35

81 %

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

88

85

3 %

87

86

–

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to UScellular shareholders

$    0.16

$ (0.33)

N/M

$    0.63

$  0.35

79 %

N/M – Percentage change not meaningful

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

$                     58

$                     35

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

656

700

Bad debts expense

104

132

Stock-based compensation expense

23

24

Deferred income taxes, net

47

33

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

(158)

(158)

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

150

145

Loss on impairment of licenses

—

3

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

17

19

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

(1)

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

(2)

—

Other operating activities

6

9

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

Accounts receivable

17

(59)

Equipment installment plans receivable

(20)

(199)

Inventory

62

(88)

Accounts payable

(85)

12

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

(9)

47

Accrued taxes

—

121

Other assets and liabilities

—

57

Net cash provided by operating activities

866

832

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

(608)

(602)

Cash paid for licenses

(130)

(585)

Other investing activities

17

8

Net cash used in investing activities

(721)

(1,179)

Cash flows from financing activities

Issuance of long-term debt

315

800

Repayment of long-term debt

(453)

(329)

Issuance of short-term debt

—

110

Repayment of short-term debt

(60)

(50)

Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

(6)

(5)

Repurchase of Common Shares

—

(43)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(1)

(1)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(3)

(3)

Cash paid for software license agreements

(66)

(22)

Other financing activities

—

(1)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(274)

456

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(129)

109

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

Beginning of period

308

199

End of period

$                   179

$                   308

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$                   150

$                   273

Accounts receivable, net

957

1,072

Inventory, net

199

261

Prepaid expenses

57

68

Income taxes receivable

1

4

Other current assets

36

45

Total current assets

1,400

1,723

Assets held for sale

15

26

Licenses

4,693

4,690

Investments in unconsolidated entities

461

452

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,576

2,624

Operating lease right-of-use assets

915

918

Other assets and deferred charges

690

686

Total assets

$              10,750

$              11,119

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

$                     20

$                     13

Accounts payable

248

356

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

229

239

Accrued taxes

32

35

Accrued compensation

83

84

Short-term operating lease liabilities

135

133

Other current liabilities

154

335

Total current liabilities

901

1,195

Deferred liabilities and credits

Deferred income tax liability, net

755

708

Long-term operating lease liabilities

831

843

Other deferred liabilities and credits

565

604

Long-term debt, net

3,044

3,187

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

12

12

Equity

UScellular shareholders’ equity

Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share

88

88

Additional paid-in capital

1,726

1,703

Treasury shares

(80)

(98)

Retained earnings

2,892

2,861

Total UScellular shareholders’ equity

4,626

4,554

Noncontrolling interests

16

16

Total equity

4,642

4,570

Total liabilities and equity

$              10,750

$              11,119

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

(Unaudited)

Free Cash Flow

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)

$                148

$                180

$                866

$                832

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

(155)

(192)

(608)

(602)

Cash paid for software license agreements

(37)

(17)

(66)

(22)

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)1

$                (44)

$                (29)

$                192

$                208

1       

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which UScellular believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and Cash paid for software license agreements.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uscellular-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2023-results-302063543.html

SOURCE United States Cellular Corporation

Continue Reading

Technology

Axon Announces Body 5: Next-Generation Camera Built for the AI Era

Published

on

By

Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras, with upgraded connectivity, audio and battery life to support real-time situational awareness in the field

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technology, today announced Axon Body 5, its newest body-worn camera designed to bring more powerful intelligence, connectivity and real-time support directly to officers in the field.

For years, Axon body cameras have helped agencies capture critical evidence and create greater transparency. Body 5 is built to help officers during the call, with information, assistance and backup on the spot.

“Officers shouldn’t have to choose between getting information and watching the scene. With Axon Body 5, they don’t,” said Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO. “They capture a license or document with the camera, keep their hands free and eyes up, and get information faster than writing it down and calling it in by radio. An officer fully engaged with the person in front of them, not down at a notepad, is a safer officer and a better-served community.”

Axon Body 5: Built for the AI Era

Built from the ground up for the AI era, Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power than earlier generation Axon body cameras, alongside advancements in connectivity, audio, video and battery life. Together, these upgrades give the camera the physical power to run smarter AI features — both today and as new AI tools are developed in the future — while also making it more dependable for officers to use every day. 

For the first time, Axon is also introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

Both models feature several key advancements, including:

25x more processing power for AI: A powerful new computing architecture creates the capacity to support current and future AI features directly on the body camera.Enhanced video: Improved video captures clearer evidence across challenging environments, including better low-light performance.Improved connectivity: Seamless connectivity in urban and remote environments – and more precise location capability – helps officers, cameras and remote support teams stay connected when timely information matters most.Longer battery life: 20% more battery life than the previous generation helps keep the camera ready and connected throughout an officer’s shift.

The Axon Body 5 Pro will continue to gain new AI capabilities as they become available, growing along with the AI Era Plan. Additionally, new hardware features include:

A near-focus camera: An additional dedicated camera lens lets officers scan driver’s licenses to check status and search for wants or warrants in seconds, without returning to the patrol vehicle, with relevant information sent to Axon Fusus to support real-time operations.Front-facing speakers: Four additional speakers project even more powerful audio toward the person an officer is speaking with, helping real-time translations from Axon Assistant carry more clearly over heavy traffic or crowd noise. Additional memory: Extra space lets the camera run several AI tools at once, helping officers stay better informed and work faster.

Bringing More of Axon’s AI Era Into the Field

Axon Body 5 helps officers get more out of the Axon AI Era Plan by bringing smart tools right to the scene. Axon’s portfolio already supports public safety professionals across a growing range of tasks. For example, Draft One helps officers turn body-camera audio into high-quality report drafts and Axon Assistant provides voice-based information access and real-time translation.

Increasingly, Axon is also bringing AI into real-time operations.

Axon Guardian is a new category of AI features within the AI Era Plan that was specifically created to work with an officer’s field-based devices – starting with body cameras and in-car cameras – to improve safety. Guardian is designed to flag potential risks as situations unfold and create alerts when additional attention may be needed. Two of the first features include:

Escalation Detection: When an Axon Body 4 or Axon Body 5 camera is activated and recording, Guardian has the ability to detect potential conflicts in real time and create an alert in Axon Fusus. A human reviews the livestream and decides if additional support or action is needed.Approach Alert: When active on Axon Fleet 3, Guardian can detect if the door of a stopped vehicle opens and alert the officer through the in-car display and their body-worn camera.

Combined, Axon Body 5 and the expanding AI Era portfolio demonstrate the importance of AI as a critical resource to assist public safety professionals before, during and after an incident — reducing administrative burden, improving situational awareness and helping protect more lives.

Innovating Responsibly

Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework guides the development of all of its products. Designed with this in mind, Axon Body 5 and Guardian prioritize human oversight and maintain agency control over data. As a key part of the responsible innovation process, Axon’s independent Ethics and Equity Advisory Council was created to help responsibly develop and deploy new technologies with transparency, while aligning with community expectations.

General availability dates for Axon Body 5 and Axon Guardian will be announced soon. Product features and capabilities vary by configuration. For more information on Axon’s current products and services: Axon Product Catalog – Axon.com.

About Axon
Axon (Nasdaq: AXON) is the global leader in public safety technology supporting state, local, federal and international public safety agencies with technology designed to Protect Life. Complementing its mission, Axon’s growing Enterprise market focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and frontline workers across multiple industries including corporate security, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Founder-led since 1993, Axon builds products with transparency and responsibility. From TASER energy devices to today’s connected network of hardware – including cameras, drones, and robotics – cloud software, sensors, and AI-tools, the Axon ecosystem helps seamlessly protect people and places when it matters most. To ensure these technologies align with community expectations, Axon’s independent Ethics & Equity Advisory Council guides the ethical, inclusive, and accountable design of its products and services. Learn more about the EEAC and Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework at Axon Responsibility. 

Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Axon, TASER and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Please visit https://investor.axon.com and https://www.axon.com/newsroom for more information.

Media Contact:
Kate MacKinnon
Vice President, Communications
press@axon.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-announces-body-5-next-generation-camera-built-for-the-ai-era-302918553.html

SOURCE Axon

Continue Reading

Technology

In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

Published

on

By

The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in-hellonation-custom-fabrication-expert-mark-coyle-explains-a-common-mistake-in-custom-aluminum-design-302918282.html

SOURCE HelloNation

Continue Reading

Technology

World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

Published

on

By

WENZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report by China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

He Junke, Vice President of CAST in charge of daily work and First Secretary of its Secretariat; Lian Yimin, Chairman and Party Group Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences; and Zhang Zhenfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee, attended the summit and delivered remarks. Yao Gaoyuan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, presided over the first segment of the plenary session.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Yunji, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Processor Chips; Mary Garson, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; and Lu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of CAST, Executive Dean of the Shanghai Institute of Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, and Chairman of the Council of the World Association of Young Scientists, delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

Chen Tianrun, Founder of Hangzhou Moxin Technology Co., Ltd.; Yuan Yang, Assistant to the Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University; and two of the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award winners, César de la Fuente and Nicola Segata, among other Chinese and foreign young scientist representatives, spoke at the flash-talk session to share their research practices and reflections.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-young-scientist-summit-2026-opens-in-wenzhou-zhejiang-302918664.html

SOURCE China Daily

Continue Reading

Trending