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It's January 2000, and the word millennium does not appear anywhere (in) this issue. Instead of fanfare and hype, we've opted for business as usual. Of course, part of our usual business is looking for ways to improve. So this issue IS different. Here's what's new:

In CNC machining, "rapid traverse" refers to the fast movement of the cutting tool as it advances toward the workpiece just before cutting begins. And so we introduce a section called Rapid Traverse (see the Latest Issue). Each article in this section is designed to give you right-to-the-point reporting on an emerging trend or developing technology. The goal is to get you quickly to a starting point that leads to new understanding and awareness. The topics are ones we find important enough to go right before our features articles.

Whereas topics in Rapid Traverse will be wide-ranging and diverse, another new section of our magazine will be a convenient and readable collection of material focused on one key aspect of metalworking (this month it's workholding). In fact, we're making this section look a bit like a self-contained magazine within our usual lineup of columns and departments. We've named it Tech Digest (also available in the Latest Issue).

This month's premiere opens with a "cover story" that reports on one shop's experience with compact precision clamps, then follows up with news about current workholding products. Next month's Tech Digest will focus on cutting tools and then in March on automatic machining, returning to work-holding in April, as we rotate through these three topics.

Where will our industry find the right people it needs? How will it attract fresh blood to keep its workforce strong and able? Preparing The Workforce Of Tomorrow is a column debuting this month to address these questions. Every month a different contributor will look at what's being done to make young people aware of careers in metalworking.

To help you keeping track of all the stuff, both the fresh and the familiar, that is now in your magazine, we've redesigned the contents page, too.

Next month and later in the year, we have other additions and improvements to launch. We think this is the best way to enter the new era, not with a lot of hoopla, but by working hard to be of greater service.