Articles
June 2020 A Strong Month for Machine Tool Orders
The month-over-month rate of contraction in machine tool unit and dollar orders slowed sharply in June. The annual rate of contraction may be near or at a bottom.
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Integrated CAM Software Automates Data Transition From Engineering to Production
By switching to CAMWorks software, Decimal Engineering was able to boost its throughput and quality while saving time and money.
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Growing a Job Shop into a Full-Service Manufacturer
By maximizing employee satisfaction, adding fabrication and other services, and always keeping open machine capacity, Square Deal has grown from a seven-person job shop to a full-service manufacturer that employs hundreds.
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Metalworking Business Activity Reports Additional Slowing Contraction
July data extends the slowing contraction trend initially reported in May.
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A More Affordable Approach to 5-Axis Large Part Machining
Shops that machine large aluminum parts don’t have to pay millions of dollars for a machining center just to get the work envelope they need. There is a more affordable alternative, and it’s manufactured in the USA.
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Portable Surface Gaging in a Production Environment
Handheld portable surface gages are easy to use. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges when scanning hundreds or even thousands of parts.
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How To Reference Custom Macro Variables by Name
FANUC now enables CNC users to reference custom macro system variables by names in addition to hard-to-remember numbers. Here’s how.
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Are Employees Really Replaceable?
Although an individual might consider themselves to be replaceable, an organization should not see their employees that way.
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5 Hard Lessons from a 28-Year-Old Startup Machine Shop Owner
Good fortune and years of long working hours have both figured into the success of this young shop, which became its founder’s sole employment starting last year. The shop owner shares his story.
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Machine Monitoring Circles Back to Basics
Deeper insights from more varied data are no replacement for manufacturing fundamentals.
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Hope Is an Asset: Here Are Machine Shops Following Clear Visions for the Future
A simple strategy offering a clear aim to hope for is particularly valuable during a disruptive time. Recently posted articles offer examples of shops following clear ideas for the way ahead.
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Cutting Tool Orders May Have Reached Low Point
The pandemic accelerated the contraction in metalworking and extended the accelerating contraction in cutting tool orders. But, the GBI: Metalworking indicates the lows in cutting tool orders may be in the past.
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