Workforce Development

Machine Tools Used As Dedicated Equipment…For A Little While

Two keys to this shop’s success are versatility and speed. It uses flexible machining centers, rather than dedicated equipment, and constantly reconfigures them into new cells for new jobs. The speed at which it can do this, in addition to in-house tombstone manufacturing capability, provides the nimbleness to quickly respond to its customers’ needs.

Cultivating Metalworking Technology's Next Users

An educator from a successful vocational high school describes what manufacturers can do to help institutions like his provide capable talent to industry.

ABB Robotics Teams Up with Okuma, Becomes a Partner in THINC

ABB Robotics, a leading supplier of industrial robots, has joined Partners in THINC, creating a strategic alliance with Okuma, a world leader in the development and production of machine tools. Okuma is unique in the world of machine tools in that the company also develops and manufactures the control, drives a

Winning The Transfer/Succession Game

Your business represents pure wealth (in current dollar value) and produces a stream of income to support you (and probably other members of your family). Someday, a portion of this pure wealth, which usually grows a bit in value each year, must go to the IRS.

Cells To The Max

Brad Hart, president of Roberts Tool Company, in Chatsworth, California, believes that automated cells are the key to survival for companies likes his that machine complex, high-precision parts for aerospace and defense. Cellular manufacturing makes it possible to reduce lead times dramatically and minimize labor input while increasing throughput and improving quality, he says. In his shop, a cell consisting of two Toyoda HMCs and a dozen pallet stations epitomizes the lean manufacturing concepts that Mr. Hart finds so compelling. However, he says that shop owners have to get out of the business of making parts and into the business of building processes--processes such as those embodied in a lean manufacturing cell.

Looking To The Economic Future Of Your Business

Trends affecting other trends in available economic data can signal whether more or less activity is coming for your manufacturing business.

Engineering Employees

Today, the lack of skilled manufacturing employees is the major problem holding this company back. To clear the way for growth tomorrow, the company is determined to solve this problem. The answer is an internal university for developing the skills of every current employee and new hire, including many who have never set foot in a machine shop before.

CNC Simulators Reduce Training Costs

Off-line Programming With CAD/CAM Saves Time And Frustration For Job Shop

This shop knew it needed CAM software, but didn't know how it would find the time away from its machining in order to learn new software.

A Practical Guide To Presetters

Tool measurement devices help shops save time, control runout and improve tool management.