FEATURES

Transfer Machines

A Diet Of High Volumes, Long Runs

Suggest a strategy of high volumes and very long runs, and many screw machine houses grow anxious. Add that the high volumes are for automotive customers, and the anxious soon become squeamish—except in the case of this supplier. It thrives on the volumes and chases the long runs.

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Machines

Fighting Pressure With Pressure

High-pressure coolant systems are providing improved part quality, increased tool life and other benefits for this precision turning shop.

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Transfer Machines

Filling The Gap Between Single- And Multi-Spindle Machines

What do multi-spindle screw machine users need/want in their next machines? Five features are mentioned most frequently by customers: flexibility; easy changeover from one job to the next; ability to use readily available off-the-shelf tooling; greater accuracy and consistency; and ease of operation and maintenance.

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Requests For Exclusions From The President's Steel Tariff Decision

As is well known, President Bush has announced imposition of the most protectionist tariffs since the end of World War II on imported steel. The tariffs are up to 30 percent of the entered value of steel. Coupled with the tariffs (and a tariff rate quota or TRQ on steel slabs) is a provision for 'product exclusions.'

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Software

Speed, Flexibility And Adaptability Are Key In Shop Management Software

It was 1999, and Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, was fairly satisfied with its 10-year-old DOS shop management software. However, the vendor would no longer be providing DOS updates.

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Transfer Machines

Style And Substance

At the Simodec show in France, Wirth & Gruffat (Argonay, France) introduced a new machine called Transturn TT-312. It is designed to combine the advantages of multi-spindle screw machines and rotary transfer technology. The company calls it a manufacturing cell.

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Waging The Ongoing Battle For Obtaining And Retaining Skilled Help

The recently released PMPA 2002 Wage Benefits&Work Schedule Report is a major resource helping PMPA members make sure they are competitive in the skilled employee marketplace. As the name of the report suggests, the report covers wages for most hourly wage jobs found in the shop as well as an overview of benefits provided, including costs to the employees and a look at work schedules throughout the industry.

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