#COLUMNS

New Software Never Solved a Problem. Ever.

Without planning, process, execution and discipline, investing in new software is a waste of money and time.

5 Ways to Use Polymer 3D Printing on the Shop Floor

A low-cost desktop 3D printer has many potential uses in a production manufacturing environment, as a means of making durable tooling to support machining, inspection and more.
#additive

Parts Cleaning

Find Manufacturing Cleaning Webinars Here

Although the pandemic might have made us weary of sitting in front of a screen for too long, webinars still have a significant place in the business world as a quick way to provide education.  

Take the Time to Walk Your Machine Shop

Scheduled strolls through your shop demonstrate that you’re not only onboard with your company’s open-door policy but you’re proactive about it. They can also help you better manage the time required to effectively support such communication initiatives.

Precision Machining Continues 2022 Trend with March GBI

March activity continued expanding at faster rates.

EQ Beats IQ in Driving Leadership Success

Unlike IQ, EQ can be nurtured, developed and increased. These insights, if followed, will help develop leadership EQ, both in an organization and within oneself.  

Parts Cleaning

Good Bonding and Coating with Contact Angle Measurements

Darren Williams answers common questions about using a contact angle measurement to determine part cleanliness. Using water to test cleanliness reveals the effectiveness of a cleaning process.

February Index Similar to January Report

Precision Machining saw expanding activity in Orders, Production and Backlogs at increased rates in the second month of 2022.

Medical

Should You to Continue to Outsource Passivation?

Considering the growing acceptance of citric passivation, shops might find bringing this process in-house can lower manufacturing costs and speed delivery lead times.

The Consolation Hire

Never, ever settle for the wrong team member. Always, always have the discipline to wait for the right candidate and have a strategy to aggressively seek them out.

Automation

In a Wireless Age, Cables are Transforming Manufacturing

In the future, technological advancements in manufacturing will rely even more on the increased efficiency and safety of cables. 

Let’s Go to the Tech Brief Video

Machining “Tech Brief” topics in print can also be presented via video. Here are a few examples.

Parts Cleaning

Top 5 Most Popular Parts Cleaning Articles

These articles can be helpful sources for parts cleaning information in your company for years to come. 

PM’s Top 10 Online Articles of 2021

Last year, our magazine introduced readers to a range of technology and practices that precision CNC machine shops are applying or should consider applying. Here are the ones that got the most online eyeballs.
#pmts

Parts Cleaning

Rinsing and Drying Cycles are Just as Critical as Cleaning Cycles

In addition to the actual cleaning technology, a critical cleaning process must also use suitable chemicals to ensure high-quality rinsing and drying processes. 

A Gold Standard Industrial Engineer

Here’s how to define what we call a “Gold Standard Industrial Engineer.”
#basics

Parts Cleaning

A 'Microscopic' Look at ISO 16232 Standard Analysis

This article gives three key points that should be confirmed with a microscope support team or within microscope software to ensure that proper settings are in place to detect, measure and categorize most particles for automotive manufacturing. 

Machine Shop Owners, Keep Your Eye on Your Equity

The basis of competition is evolving, and owners are strongly encouraged to develop a strategy that is equity-focused, not sales-focused. 

What Would You Notice in Someone Else’s Shop?

If you’re an owner or manager of a CNC machine shop, do you get to visit other shops often? And, if so, what do you keep an eye out for?

Supply Chain Management Can Work for You

A VMI program can reduce cost and also increase speed to market by eliminating the additional time needed to move material from vendor to vendor.