PM Blog
PMPA's Blueprint For The Future
It's been more than 10 years since PMPA conducted a member needs study. PMPA's president, Dave Knuepfer, and new executive vice-president, Tim Andrassy, agreed that conducting the study now was especially important, because it would add additional member input to the new Strategic Plan and help PMPA focus its resources on those areas and services valued most.
Read MorePMPA Annual Meeting Will Provide Useful Information And Ideas
With China and other offshore producers continuing to loom ever closer on the horizon, this year's PMPA annual meeting, to be held October 19-23 at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California, will serve as a primer for competing successfully in what has become a global marketplace.
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Why Short Magazine Bar Loaders Are Efficient
So when are long bars and hydraulic magazine barfeeders justified? Typically, the best applications for long bar magazine feeders are found when production quantities are large (where the batch size exceeds 5,000) or when the workpiece is over 8 inches long and there are relatively few changeovers (one every 2 weeks or so). In most other cases, short barfeeders usually tend to be more efficient and a better investment. But let's analyze the reasons and find out why.
Read MoreScratching Surface Flaws With Automation
Machining parts complete on CNC multi-spindles, with automatic load and unload, is proving the key to nick- and scratch-free parts for this tier-two auto parts maker.
Read MoreNew Swiss Turning Technology Boosts Productivity For Contract Manufacturer
Technically, this control is not a CNC, but a PNC (parallel numerical control), and that is the difference. The PNC control was developed using a FANUC system that allows each machine axis to be governed by its own chip, which carries the part program.
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So, You Need To Automate Your Multispindle...
You can't decide if you need an integrated loader or a stock reel loader. You've boiled it down to a space versus cost decision. Now what do you do? You basically have two choices: the stock reel loader or an integrated loader.
Read MoreSwiss Machines Power Shop's Growth
Wright Technologies, Rosemont, Illinois, is a contract manufacturer that specializes in turned and milled parts in prototype to production quantities.
Read MoreGaining Competitive Intelligence
Are you comfortable with your knowledge of offshore precision machined products manufacturers in growing industrial nations such as China? Would you like to cut through all of the half truths and second or thirdhand stories and gain the competitive advantage of having the latest information on new global competition?
Read MoreSpeed, Flexibility And Adaptability Are Key In Shop Management Software
It was 1999, and Precision Plus of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, was fairly satisfied with its 10-year-old DOS shop management software. However, the vendor would no longer be providing DOS updates.
Read MoreFighting Pressure With Pressure
High-pressure coolant systems are providing improved part quality, increased tool life and other benefits for this precision turning shop.
Read MoreFilling The Gap Between Single- And Multi-Spindle Machines
What do multi-spindle screw machine users need/want in their next machines? Five features are mentioned most frequently by customers: flexibility; easy changeover from one job to the next; ability to use readily available off-the-shelf tooling; greater accuracy and consistency; and ease of operation and maintenance.
Read MoreA Diet Of High Volumes, Long Runs
Suggest a strategy of high volumes and very long runs, and many screw machine houses grow anxious. Add that the high volumes are for automotive customers, and the anxious soon become squeamish—except in the case of this supplier. It thrives on the volumes and chases the long runs.
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