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Positive Changes in the Precision CNC Machining World
New PM magazine editor-in-chief. New PMTS trade show location. Newly proposed PMPA management services strategy. Positive momentum continues to build to best serve and move this industry forward.
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If at First Your CNC Machine Shop Doesn’t Succeed with Robots, Automate Again
Alexandria Industries struggled with its first robotic machining cell. However, the aluminum extrusion components manufacturer — now with more than 20 robots — discovered that by simplifying and standardizing its automation strategy, it could reap the benefits of unattended machining even for relatively low batch sizes.
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Setting up Your Machine Shop for Succession Success
Here are ways the husband and wife owners of a machine shop in Fridley, Minnesota, are preparing for their son and daughter to take the reins.
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Eyeing Automotive Machining Applications in Taiwan
I took time to check out machining equipment geared toward components for automobiles—electric vehicles in particular—at the recent TMTS show in Taichung.
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A Look at Additive Manufacturing in Minnesota
Increasing interest in 3D printing among machine shops was particularly conspicuous during a recent visit to multiple shops in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Fixturing for Five-Axis CNCs
For some high-batch-size jobs and/or very complex parts, custom fixtures designed and manufactured in house enable Powill Manufacturing and Engineering to get the most out of its five-axis machining capability.
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Appreciate. Learn. Educate. Lead.
Taking the initiative to write about new manufacturing technologies is one thing. Presenting those concepts in a way people can readily understand and helping them see their potential value is another. Some writers are better at all this than others.
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Top Three Questions about the Top Shops Benchmarking Program
Our ninth annual Top Shops online benchmarking survey is now live. Here I answer three common questions I receive about it.
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Help Set Up a Student-Run CNC Shop Near You
This replicable student-run business model offers promise not only in terms of workforce development, but also in potentially lowering U.S. manufacturing costs.
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Three Expectations for Robotic Automation
Shops take some modern robot capabilities as given, but a recent trade show in Japan demonstrated ways those capabilities continue to improve.
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Overcoming Racing CNC Machine Shop Challenges
Automotive racing teams’ machine shops are essentially job shops. An IMTS panel discussion I moderated highlighted ways Stewart-Haas Racing’s shop meets the challenges of a high-mix/low-volume machining environment.
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The Unattended Effects of CNC Machine Shop Automation
Automated machining and data collection have helped Custom Tool to not only grow its business through more lights-out production, but also to establish a continuous-improvement mindset that has enabled it to become more efficient in numerous areas.
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