The Value of a Good Internship
The greatest lessons shared by the interns related much more to interpersonal skills, communication, teamwork and etiquette than they did to technology.
Matthew Kirchner
Columnist, Profit 360, LLC
Index Contracts in September After a Promising August
All components report lower readings after August expansion.
On Race and Manufacturing
Racial inequality is everyone’s problem and we don’t have to agree on all of the answers in order to get started on some of them.
Economic Outlook Positive for Medical, Defense Industries
This economic outlook from ITR Economics includes predictions of how well certain manufacturing sectors will do in the foreseeable future, as well as advice on making investments and using low interest rates to your advantage.
Create a Virtual Tour of Your Shop
Open houses and tours are techniques leading CNC machine shops use to market their operations to prospective new customers and new hires. It’s also possible to do this digitally like Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions has, which is helpful in these strange days of social distancing.
Opportunity for More Efficient Productivity
Difficult times teach us to create workarounds that are often more efficient than our previous processes. This is true for the parts cleaning industry and the Parts Cleaning Conference committee.
Index Gains 3 Points to Register First Expansionary Reading Since COVID-19
Production and new orders activity bolster Index to best reading since 2019.
Industry Expansion Continues
The Precision Machining Index registered slowing growth in June with a reading of 50.9. Readings above 50 indicate expanding activity and values below 50 indicate contracting activity.
Michael Guckes
Chief Economist & Director of Analytics, Gardner Intelligence
Shining Light on New Machining Technology
Equipment and software that can enable precision CNC machine shops to grow and become more efficient continue to be developed.
Uncertainty and Change in 2020
Procrastinating to avoid change is always rooted in some form of fear.
Use Your Machine Shop Management System as a Sales Tool
Why not leverage an effective shop management system for your sales/marketing advantage in today’s competitive market?
Index Moves Markedly Higher After Falters in Second Quarter
July reading advances 11 points, closing gap with other manufacturing technologies.
Let Them Move the Table
Empower your employees to make a lot of little changes and improvements to make their job in your machine shop easier. Small increments of improved efficiency add up quickly.
Dealing with Failed Cleanliness Limits
Markus Rossler, vice president, Glaeser Inc., offers guidelines for ensuring parts cleaning standards.
7 Muda Wastes Every Machine Shop Should Eliminate
Applying lean manufacturing concepts, the Flexible Production method can help put a stop to production wastes, specifically for those who use transfer machines or machining centers.
TikTok, Manufacturing and Data Analytics
Small to midsize manufacturers have scores of data available to them and can leverage it in much the same way that billion-dollar conglomerates do
Reduction of Lead in Aluminium Alloys
Eural has developed free-machining aluminum alloys, including lead-free and tin-free alloys.
Opportunity Within a Tragedy
Ruthie Johnston exemplifies the type of leadership needed in times of unexpected change.
Production Machining Index Remains Unchanged from May
Index registers higher new orders and production readings, quickening supplier deliveries
CNC Machine Shops: How Engaged with Social Media Are You?
Engaging in social media can be an effective way for precision CNC machine shops to get the word out about their capabilities, culture and successes.
Defining Your Niche
Develop your shop into a niche shop and your customers will come. Become an expert in your niche and customers will keep coming back to you.
So Many Cutting Tool Options
Life is full of choices. The metalworking industry is no different, and cutting tools are a great example—lots of variations, lots of suppliers. Knowledge is power in the decision making process.
Chris Felix
Contributing Editor, Production Machining
Production Machinists Report Slowing Decline in Business Conditions
Index signals decelerating contraction as all components report improved readings.
Effective Leadership Emerges During Trying Times
Effective machine shop leaders are those who give their team members the tools they need to carry out their duties as efficiently as possible when times are good and when times are bad.
It’s Meant to Make People Quit
Lessons on Surviving the COVID-19 Crisis from a Navy SEAL
Strong Leaders of CNC Machine Shops will Create the New Normal
Strong leaders don’t just accommodate change, they embrace it. Strong leaders also don’t merely adjust to the new normal, they create it.
Business Activity Contraction Quickens as Economic Shutdown Endures
April’s New Orders and Production Activity Collapse as Index Falls to All-Time Low.
Part Cleanliness is Second Nature
While the general public has ramped up its concern about cleanliness, I can’t help but think about shops that have parts cleaning operations that are always concerned about cleaning.
