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Tooling

The Value of Tool Monitoring on Rotary Transfer Machines

By: Lori Beckman

By using a tool monitoring system, shops can save costs associated with machine maintenance and downtime for tool changes while increasing cutting performance.
#Industry40 #techbrief

Industries

New Cutting Tool Technology Discovered at Paul Horn Open House

By: Derek Korn

During a tour of the company’s campus in Tubingen, Germany, I and more than 3,000+ others were introduced to a number of new advances the company has made in cutting tool technology particularly as it relates to the medical industry.

Machines

Understanding Micro-Milling Machine Technology

By: Gary Zurek, President and CEO, Kern Precision Inc.

Micro-milling can be a companion process to turning-based production machining. This article looks at some of the technologies that go into a micro-milling machine and why they are important to successful operation.
#micromachining #basics

Large Plants Plan High Rates of Capital Spending in 2024

By: Jan Schafer

Gardner Business Media’s Capital Spending survey projects a modest decline of 7.4% in machine tool spending next year. While job shops are taking a wait-and-see posture, large plants plan robust spending with machining centers leading the way.

CNC Machine Shop Employment Positions to Consider Beyond Machine Operators

By: Derek Korn

Many machine shops have open machine operator positions to fill. But does it make sense for shops to also seek automation engineers, IT managers and assembly personnel?
#columns #workforcedevelopment

Precision Machining Technology Review November 2023

Edited by Chris Pasion

Production Machining’s November 2023 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Horn USA Inc., Mazak North America, Kyocera SGS Precision Tools Inc., Big Daishowa Inc., Sandvik Coromant and Hamar Laser Instruments Inc.

Software

The Value of CAD/CAM and Cutting Tool Manufacturers Working Together

By: Evan Duncanson

Overall machining efficiency can be increased when software and tooling companies combine to tackle machining challenges.
#techbrief

Craftsman Cribsheet No. 121: ISO Turning — What Does it All Mean?

By: David Wynn

How to make sense of all those different letters and numbers in ISO turning inserts.
#pmpa

Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining October 2023

By: Jan Schafer

Precision Machining activity was spared another month of accelerated contraction and held into October the same index reported in September.
#columns

Production Machining's November 2023 News Highlights

Edited by Chris Pasion

Production Machining’s November 2023 news highlights include new company leadership, facility expansions, safety training opportunities and more.

Shipping/Receiving in Manufacturing: Yahaira Bermudez, Ramona Campbell and Elizabeth Colin

By: Carli Kistler-Miller

Three women share their journeys to shipping/receiving in manufacturing, and give advice to anyone seeking a career in manufacturing.
#pmpa

Measurement

Streamlining Part Measurement, Data Collection Processes

Edited by Derek Korn

When collecting measurement data automatically with a wireless data collection system, manual errors can be eliminated ensuring data accuracy and traceability.
#techbrief

One Sign to Rule Them All

By: Miles Free

It is possible that one sign holds the key to understanding a shop’s culture and performance.
#pmpa

Good Advice? Ask 5 Questions

By: Matthew Kirchner

As business people, when we are asked for opinions or advice, we are usually quick to give it up. This is rarely the best response.
#columns

Craftsman Cribsheet No. 120: Safety Needs to Be Comfortable

By: David Wynn, Technical Services Manager, PMPA

It’s important to be conscious of how comfortability affects performance.
#pmpa

Automation

EMO 2023 Press Conference Takeaways

By: Derek Korn

Writing for the EMO Daily publication at the recent show in Hannover, Germany, led me to learn about aspects of our industry I might not have otherwise heard about.

A Reflection on 50 Years in Manufacturing

By: Miles Free

Miles Free III shares his stories and the lessons learned over 50 years in manufacturing.
#pmpa

Automation & Robots

Machine-Tending Cobot Fills Night Shift

Edited by Derek Korn

A collaborative robot helped this shop run a machine tool 24/7 when hiring someone for a third shift didn’t seem to be an option.

Machines

High-Volume Machine Shop Automates Secondary Ops

By: Derek Korn

An Ohio contract shop added a compact, self-loading CNC lathe to perform unattended secondary ops on a part for a key customer rather than running it on a manually loaded chucker.
#horizontal-and-vertical-lathes

IT in Manufacturing: Bridget Casey and Missy Gedridge

By: Carli Kistler-Miller

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