Articles

7 Oct 2009

Material Impacts on the Precision Machining Industry - October 2009

Of course prices have risen. Manufacturing expansion following 18 months of decline. Supply chain pretty much destocked. Low inventories. Domestic mills operating at 47 percent of capacity. Global influences on scrap and raw materials. You need a program to follow this game. We're providing you one with this edition of PMPA's Material Impacts Report.

Parts Cleaning 7 Oct 2009

Parts Cleaning in a Vacuum

While not glamorous, cleaning is a necessity for quality parts production. This supplier provides a solution to many of the issues shops face for fast, effective and environmentally friendly parts cleaning.

Machining Centers & Milling Machines 29 Sep 2009

Keeping Pace with CAM

The latest version of this CAM pacakge features 5-axis simultaneous machining for multi-axis lathes, improved milling functionality and enhanced thread whirling support.

18 Sep 2009

Sub-Harmonic Energy for Stress Relief

One vibration stress relief process that has experienced consistently successful results in the metalworking industry uses what is called sub-harmonic technology.

Basics 18 Sep 2009

Proper Workholding Selection

An in-depth look at the overall application is the best way to determine the most suitable workholding for a job. Experienced workholding engineers can play an important role in the selection process.

18 Sep 2009

Time for Some Rational Optimism

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of playing defense.

Transfer Machines 18 Sep 2009

Upgrading Rotary Transfer Machines on the Shop Floor

Smart manufacturers are using slower production demand to upgrade efficiency of their rotary transfer machines. This story looks at a Cleveland area integrator that can do the job in weeks and without removing machines from the shop.

17 Sep 2009

Cool Kids in Calgary

Even in these poor economic times, there are problems that simply will not go away. Specifically, I’m talking about the shortage of skilled workers for manufacturing and many other so called trades.

17 Sep 2009

Hard Turning Isn’t Hard

For shops looking for a viable and cost-effective alternative to grinding without sacrificing efficiency or quality, hard turning is worth consideration.

Workholding 17 Sep 2009

Collets Offer Quality Consistency

Quality consistency is a crucial characteristic to have for a shop to succeed. Producing such work for customers requires quality consistency inside the shop as well, including everything from shop management to the machines’ tooling and workholding.