Work In Process

Why bring out a new magazine for the screw machine products industry? Well the short answer is that we believe Production Machining will give you information and insight that is unavailable elsewhere. Production Machining uses the staff and editors of Modern Machine Shop to create a practical and useful magazine dedicated to covering the complex issues of the screw machine industry.

We believe that the industry is poised on the threshold of some big changes. Competitive pressures, both domestic and foreign, require that precision machined parts producers evaluate what's good about their manufacturing processes and what's bad—keep the good replace the bad. Production Machining is a data-gathering source to help shops make those evaluations.

It's clear endemic problems such as skilled worker attraction and retention are probably not going to get better soon, if ever. Bemoaning the facts is counter productive. Shops need practical answers to training and personnel issues. We think Production Machining can provide these. Some of the answers are about people, while others involve automating processes where people are simply not available.

Electronics, in the form of CNC and other computer-based technologies, will continue to automate not only machine tools, but also other manual processes in the shop. It's fairly clear that in many segments of the precision machined parts industry, some of the "old" ways must be re-tooled for those segments to survive and thrive. It's good to present technology, but it's more important to explain technology in a way that's relative to the shop.

Customers of precision machined products are not going to loosen tolerances or extend delivery schedules. We've designed the magazine to look forward and present practical process and technological information that's of use to your shop today and in the future.

We intend to bring you information about new developments in the art and science of precision turned parts manufacturing. We will make the shop visits and report about processes and techniques used by others so that you may find a germ of an idea that can help your shop find a better way.

We have tried to bring together an eclectic blend of information from many sources. In Production Machining, you will find technology articles that highlight new tools to help you accomplish the job. Application stories take you into other shops to experience solutions to manufacturing problems.

Your trade association, PMPA (Precision Machined Products Association), has been very generous in providing information of interest to members and non-members alike.

We contracted with England-based metalworking veteran Mike Page to give you a global view as he reports about what's happening within the industry in Europe and elsewhere overseas. The About Your Business column presents information germane to the business side of production machining. And there is more in the magazine and in the works.

Look upon Production Machining as your magazine, for indeed it is. Use the Web site www.productionmachining.com, e-mail, snail-mail or the phone to tell us what you'd like to see covered in future issues. Tell us what's important to your business. It's more than likely that if your shop is searching for answers to technology and application questions, others are as well.

The manufacture of precision machined parts is about trying to reach perfection. Likewise, Production Machining magazine is a work in process dedicated to providing the information you need to get as close as possible to perfection. We look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks to our staff, contributors and advertisers for making this premiere issue a reality. We all hope you enjoy Production Machining this month and in the months ahead.