Articles

Automation 16 Nov 2012

FANUC FA America Celebrates 35 Years in the Americas

Founded in Japan in 1956, FANUC has contributed to the automation of machine tools as a pioneer in the development of computer numerical controls. In 1977, FANUC USA was founded with headquarters originally in Elk Grove Village, Illinois to provide service and support for imported machine tools with FANUC CNC systems. Now headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, FANUC FA America supports all of the Americas with 43 offices and service centers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

15 Nov 2012

Passing the Baton

Production Machining Editor-in-Chief Chris Koepfer’s son recently got married. He remarked that raising a kid is similar to mentoring a co-worker. Successful efforts in both roles help bring hope to the future.

Workforce Development 14 Nov 2012

Mold Shop Cures the “Curse of Knowledge”

How do you transfer knowledge from skilled employees to apprentices? Here’s how one shop did it using a Facebook-like sharing system.

CAD/CAM 13 Nov 2012

Running with It

Shopfloor employees at this shop didn’t fear a new programming strategy. In fact, they’ve taken it upon themselves to leverage the strategy and become even more efficient.

Grinding 13 Nov 2012

More Effective Cooling, Lubrication for Grinding

Coherent-jet nozzles offer advantage over plastic and rigid tube nozzles for coolant delivery to grinding wheels.

EDM 12 Nov 2012

Moving in with a Customer

Shop owner Chris Nachtmann has established a close relationship with one of his biggest customers. In fact, he moved his operation inside that customer’s facility a couple years ago. Now, he’s making greater strides to invest in and grow his business.

Turning Machines 12 Nov 2012

Vertical Lathe with 5-Meter Table

Vertical turning centers from MAG are scaled up to meet the demands of North American manufacturing.

8 Nov 2012

Metalworking Industry Contraction Flattens

While October’s MBI reading showed that the industry contracted for the fourth month in a row, it appears that there was a slight change in the trend: Growth wasn't contracting as fast as contraction was accelerating.

7 Nov 2012

Shop Owner’s Tattoo Honors the Machinist Who Taught Him

Brent Beistel says he loves machining and can make a living at it largely because of one person—his dad. A tattoo he just completed honors his father and the work that both men do.

6 Nov 2012

DFM in the Glass Hut

For this company, the collaboration between engineering and manufacturing is physically represented by the “glass hut,” the so-named conference room with a clear view of the shop floor.