ICYMI: Production Machining’s Top 10 Online Articles from 2022

In my column last month, I talked about how diverse our January issue was topic-wise as we launch into 2023. It presented a variety of ideas to consider that can help you become more effective, profitable manufacturing businesses. That has been the plan all along with Production Machining and remains the plan moving forward.

Here, I’d like to reflect on which articles we produced in 2022 that got the most online eyeballs. There is diversification with this collection of articles not only in terms of the topics covered but also the types of stories that were published. Some are shop application stories, some are shorter Tech Briefs and some are even sponsored content from advertisers.

So, in case you missed any of them, here is our top articles list from 2022 with links.

10. What’s Still Cam-Driven and Why? Combining select cam-driven functions with CNC technology for this multi-spindle platform is said to help reduce machine cost while retaining high machining speed, precision and production. Consider this a melding of traditional cam machines and full-CNC equipment.

9. Automated Multitasking Machine Drops Parts Complete. This Tech Brief describes an automated multitasking machine with an integrated robot that eliminates the need to run parts across multiple machines, saving floor space, setup time and manpower.

8. Shop Optimizes its Swiss-Turning Flexibility. Salt Lake City’s Paramount Machine uses various Swiss-type lathes, some with a B axis, to produce parts more effectively than it did on conventional chucker lathes. Today, nearly every job under 1.5 inches in diameter runs across those machines, even if the batch size is a mere 5 pieces.

7. A Swift Tool Change for Swiss-Type Machines. This coolant-through tooling system replacement for the gang plate on a Swiss-type machine can save hours of spindle downtime per day as well as increase tool life and enhance chip control. This type of capability is important as batch sizes are tending to become smaller.

6. Program a Robot With Your Machine’s CNC. Robot manufacturers continue to develop technology to streamline and simplify robot programming and machine connectivity. A new function in popular controls enables shops to program machine-tending robots using familiar CNC G codes.

Email me if you have an idea for a topic you think Production Machining should cover more.

5. Swiss Shop’s Choice of Collets Facilitates Backworking. Swiss shop Lane4 Precision (Santa Rosa, California) discovered workholding collets that satisfy the needs of its very small, delicate and complex medical parts production on the subspindle, making once impossible processes not only doable but more efficient and esthetically pleasing. The online article includes video.

4. SWOT for Employee Retention and Recruitment. What is your brand? Why should people want to work for your company? How can your brand improve? As this article from the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) suggests, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis can help answer these questions. Your employee retention and recruitment may count on it.

3. How Advancements in CNC Multi-Spindles Can Put You Ahead of Current Trends. This sponsored content article explains how growing economic and labor pressures are making CNC multi-spindle turn/mill technology more viable than ever. A real-world comparison to a single-spindle lathe shows how.

2. How to Get More Efficient Production from Swiss-Type and Multitasking Machines. Another sponsored content article from a leading CAD/CAM company explains how its software for multi-axis, Swiss-type and multitasking machines provides an efficient CAM programming process, generating optimal and safe turn-mill programs with improved milling tool life.

1. 4 Tips for Building an Effective Machining Apprenticeship Program. Our most popular online article for 2022 suggests that developing the right apprenticeship program can be one of the best things a machine shop can do for itself and for the future of manufacturing. Dr. Vikki Gordon, apprentice coordinator for Macomb Community College located just outside Detroit, Michigan, offers key “do’s” and “don’ts” to follow.

If any of these 10 articles resonated with you in a significant way, email me and briefly explain why. Please do the same if there was an article you recall from 2022 not on this list that you found helpful. This type of feedback is always appreciated as we determine what articles to pursue moving forward.

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