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Roles of Women in Manufacturing Series: Marketing Manufacturing — Debra Beevers and Courtney Ortner

By: Carli Kistler-Miller

Two women share their journeys to manufacturing and marketing, and give advice to anyone seeking a career in manufacturing.
#pmpa

Grinding

Tooth Flank Grinding Technology Minimizes EV Drive Noise

Edited by Derek Korn

Drives for electric vehicles require gear components with tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes. Even minimal ripples in the surface of tooth flanks on shafts and gears can cause interference noise in drive performance.
#techbrief

Precision Machining Technology Review July 2023: Data Driven Manufacturing

Edited by Angela Osborne

Production Machining showcases some of the latest Data-Driven Manufacturing technology from Caron Engineer, Heidenhain Corp., Seco Tools, Shibaura Machine Co., eNetDNC, Shop Floor Automations and Wintriss Controls Group.
#Industry40

Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining June 2023

By: Jan Schafer

Precision Machining June 2023 marks a bigger drop than previous months’ incremental declines.
#columns

Machines

Video Tech Brief: CNC Screw Machines a Solution for Overcoming Labor Shortages

By: Derek Korn

CNC screw machines can exceed job shop productivity and enable manufacturers to overcome perpetual employment gaps.
#workforcedevelopment

Turned and Polished Steel Barstock: How It Is Manufactured, How It Impacts Your Shop

By: Miles Free

Understanding the benefits provided by turned and polished steel barstock and its differences from cold-drawn steel barstock can help you and your team avoid unexpected performance issues. 
#pmpa

Production Machining’s July 2023 News Highlights

Edited by Angela Osborne

Production Machining’s July 2023 news highlights include new company leadership, digital live machining sessions, new headquarters and facilities, Women in Manufacturing event and more.

Transfer Machines

Rotary Transfer Technology Becoming More Flexible

By: Derek Korn

This rotary transfer machine platform, which enables shops to reconfigure equipment to change over to new jobs as needed, is said to be effective for batch sizes of only 50 parts.
#techbrief

Automation

Unattended Production Takes More Than the Most Capable CNC Machine

Process planning and reliable peripherals are key to successful lights-out manufacturing.

There’s No Downside to Upskilling

By: Lori Beckman

Machine shop CEO and former U.S. Navy SEAL applies his military knowledge to form an in-house upskilling program that trains all levels of employees for advanced positions. This talent development approach gives employees the gift of lifelong learning that benefits the industry as well. 

Medical

Five-Axis Machining for Small Prismatic Parts

By: Derek Korn

New to the U.S. market, this compact machine could enable precision turning shops to win complex, more prismatic work in medical and other industries.
#techbrief

Craftsman Cribsheet No.116: Twist Drills for Success

By: David Wynn, Technical Services Manager, PMPA, Precision Machined Products Association

Drilling holes is one of the most fundamental operations we do in machining.
#pmpa

Machines

Video Tech Brief: Three Lathe Turrets Machining Simultaneously

By: Derek Korn

At PMTS 2023, Spinner North America explains that having three turrets cutting at the same time in a CNC lathe can significantly reduce cycle times while offering better utilization of a machine shop’s cutting resources.

Micro-Drilling: 9 Questions to Answer Before Beginning

By: Chris Koepfer

Applications for micromachining continue to grow. Successful machining with small tools calls for a different set of process skills on the shop floor.
#basics #micromachining

Machines

Shop Sets its Sights on Precise Tool Alignment

By: Lori Beckman

A Wisconsin shop has found that visual tool alignment technology has improved tool life and surface finishes for its Swiss-type lathes while increasing throughput as well.

Succession Planning: Three 15-Minute Activities to Start Preparing for Tomorrow

By: Heather Haas, President, ADVISA

Succession planning is planning for the future success of your business.
#workforcedevelopment

Boost Your Customer Service by Going Paperless

By: Paul Van Metre, President, ProShop USA

Using a paperless ERP/MES/QMS system that can be accessed in a web browser results in much more positive customer perceptions, as well as higher efficiency for a machine shop. 
#columns

Turning Machines

6 Tips for Training on a Swiss-Type Lathe

By: Derek Korn

There are nuances to training a person to effectively operate a Swiss-type lathe. A shop I visited a while back offers some suggestions.
#basics #columns #workforcedevelopment

Automation & Robots

Manufacturer Mulls Long Versus Short Bar Feeder

By: Derek Korn

A manufacturer of gears and gear assemblies decided four-foot magazine bar feeders made more sense than 12-foot, single-barrel bar feeders.
#techbrief

The Battle for Performance: Efficiency Versus Effectiveness

By: David Wynn, Technical Services Manager, PMPA, Precision Machined Products Association

Does your daily activity have anything to do with your effectiveness? The answer may surprise you. 
#pmpa