Introducing The New ProductionMachining.com

This month we’re very happy to present the new Production Machining Web site. The URL is still the same, www.productionmachining.com, but what you’ll find there is a site that is much better organized to serve your metalworking research needs. And, it is a site that will continue to grow both in terms of the content and the opportunity it presents to interact with others serving the precision machining industry.

What’s so different? First of all, the site’s layout and navigational structure are based on the ways that shop managers have told us they go about finding information on the Web. We spent 6 months researching this issue (see sidebar on page 47) and found that managers most often search the Web with these major objectives in mind: Staying updated on available technology; seeking alternatives to improve existing processes or acquire new ones; seeking solutions to specific problems.

PM’s new site structure is specifically designed to better serve these tasks through more ready access to relevant information, better search and, in particular, much better connectivity to related content throughout the site.

It’s All About The Zones

The biggest difference you’ll see is that the site is now organized into special-emphasis “Zones” that directly relate to technologies that are of the highest interest to Production Machining readers. Currently there are zones on these topics, and we’ll be adding more over time: Swiss-Type Screw Machines; Multi-Spindle Screw Machines; Single-Spindle Screw Machines; Rotary Transfer Machines; Bar Feeds; Parts Cleaning Equipment; Cutting and Forming Tools; Shop Management Software; and CAD/CAM Software.

The most obvious benefit of a Zone is that it brings all articles on a subject to one place to make it much easier to find out more about the technology and how others are using it. However, there is much more to it than that. Articles on the subject are searchable and sortable by several categories to make research easier and more efficient. A Zone also includes new product announcements on that technology as well as links to related suppliers’ directories.

Equally important, a Zone includes links to closely related content to allow you to easily and intuitively expand your research path to reach the complementary content that may be critical to solving a problem. You may, for example, start by thinking about a machine, but the real issue is workholding or tooling for that machine. The Zone will give you a direct path to get to these more specific topics.

Each Zone also includes a quick overview of the technology. The idea is to serve the professional who knows manufacturing, but may be new to the specific technology at hand. Maybe you know multi-spindles like the back of your hand, but you’re new to Swiss machines. We’ll give you the basics in a way that won’t insult your intelligence.  

For Example

Since we’re on the subject of Swiss machines, here’s an example of how you can make a Zone work for you. Let’s say you’re thinking about bringing new CNC Swiss technology to your shop. Do you want to hear what other shops went through when they took the leap? Do you want to research technology trends or find out about part programming? You’ll find articles that address all these issues and more.

Would you like to get a quick look at a variety of CNC Swiss screw machines that have been introduced over the last several years? That collection of announcements starts right on the main Zone page. You’ll also find links to suppliers of new and used machines as well as supporting technology—bar feeds, collet chucks, single-point turning and form tools, screw machine attachments, and even guide bushings.

You can also find information about Swiss machines with programmable guide bushings and sliding headstock machines that don’t use bushings at all.
That brings us back to the article page itself that provides more connections to relevant content. Most articles include “Editor Picks” in which our editors will steer you to other specifically relevant information to provide more background and/or perspective on the subject at hand. You’ll also find convenient links to suppliers mentioned in the article and to appropriate categories in the online supplier directory. PM can be your path to knowledge and sourcing all in one trip.

Participate

Another aspect of ProductionMachining.com that we are committed to expanding over time is providing the opportunity for you to participate in helping shape the content and to directly interact with our editors and your peers. There is currently a general forum on screw machining technology where you can interact with other community members on almost anything to do with the industry, and we’ll be adding more forums on other topics early this year. You’ll also have the opportunity to publicly or privately comment on PM editorials.

We want to hear your thoughts about the industry, as well as about ProductionMachining.com. All comments will become part of our planning for further development of Production Machining both in print and online.

We are also providing the opportunity to contribute solutions that you’ve applied in your own shop. If you’re willing, we’ll be happy to share your expertise with your peers all across the precision machining industry. Hopefully others will respond with more ideas for you to put to work in your shop.

So take a moment to check out the new www.productionmachining.com. By all means be sure to tell us what you think.