Brent Donaldson

Brent Donaldson Editor-in-Chief

Heavy Engineering: The Complex Logistics of Moving Large Machine Tools

One of our fascinations with large-format machine tools has little to do with their capabilities, but everything to do with the logistics involved with getting them up and running. Here’s how one of the world’s oldest builders of giant machine tools tackles the challenge.

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Automation

Fearless Five-Axis Programming Fosters Shop Growth

Reinvestment in automation has spurred KCS Advanced Machining Service’s growth from prototyping to low-and mid-volume parts. The key to its success? A young staff of talented programmers. 

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Turn/Mill

A New Player in the Swiss-Style Machine Market

Mazak has officially entered the Swiss-style market with its new line of Syncrex machines. Here’s what two of the company’s leaders had to say about the decision.

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Turn/Mill

When Too Many Customers Spoil the Part

Duo CNC used to take on as many customers as the shop could handle. But when growth stalled, a top-down audit by the company’s general manager revealed that its customer base was inhibiting growth — and causing the shop to be less efficient and productive.

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Automation

Is That a CNC? Major Tool Edition

The cover of Modern Machine Shop’s November issue features a striking image: Three employees checking bore and thread sizes on a massive machined aluminum part — which is situated inside an even more massive five-axis machine tool. The caption reads, “Automation Still Needs You.” Curious about what you are seeing? Read on.

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Turn/Mill

The Culture Change of Large-Part Machining Automation

For Major Tool & Machine in its 75th anniversary year, confronting the skills gap involves a systemized approach focused on automation, and developing and retaining talent.

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Workholding

A Case for Combining Workholding with Optical Scanning

Automotive dies and die inserts are often complex, one-off parts with little room for error. Integrity Tool's investments in modular workholding tools and 3D optical scanning have allowed the company to create niche capabilities for its CNC machined parts.

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Top Shops

The Art of Maintaining Continuous Improvement

Production efficiencies, setup efficiencies, plant utilization record, safety records, on-time delivery performance — all of these metrics and more place Forest City Gear among the elite when it comes the use of ongoing improvement methodologies.

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PMTS

PMTS Day Two Brings Tech Talks, Demos and Crowds

The 2021 Precision Machining Technology Show is the manufacturing industry’s first event in over 18 months — and has brought the crowds to match! Today, attendees will see demos, hear presentations and visit 250+ exhibitors.

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CAD/CAM

No Such Thing as Luck: A One-Person Shop Owner’s Success Story

You could say he’s a lucky Guy. He has the ideal setup for a moonlighting at-home-machinist: The perfect location, the perfect day job, and a double-threat skill set that allows him to hire himself for prototyping and low-volume production work. But Guy Driscoll’s biggest talent might be creating his own luck.

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Micromachining

Transitioning to CNC Swiss-Type Machining? Here’s How One Shop Did It.

The introduction of CNC Swiss-type machines at Deking Screw Products brought a new and highly efficient production method to the business. But it also required learning the distinct differences inherent with Swiss-type machining, and a mindset change for the company’s leaders.

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Meet the Automation That Makes Machine Tool Automation

A new manufacturing cell at Mazak’s North American headquarters is one part machine tool production unit and one part demonstration facility. And it’s here to provide a lesson about how automation can tackle skilled-worker shortages and supply chain issues at the same time. 

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