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Swiss Shop Serves Medical And More
For more than 20 years this Chicagoland shop has been a supplier to one of the world’s largest manufacturers of medical devices. It’s a relationship that is built on mutual trust, consistent performance and a long-term view of the business of manufacturing. It’s also about properly applied technology.
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High Speed Spindles For Swiss Machining
This article discusses the use of high-speed spindles in Swiss machining applications. Sufficient rotational speed is necessary to take advantage of tooling materials in small diameter cutters.
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Real Gifts
This column looks at one man's opinion of what makes gift giving a year round event as opposed to just seasonal.
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Chip Control With Coolant
Directing high pressure coolant under the chip in turning applications can improve cutting rates, tool life and surface finish.
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The Hammond Way
Embracing innovation is part of the culture in this California production shop. Its founder takes competition and technical challenges as quests that demand creative solutions from man and machine.
Read MoreHere’s To Us One-Percenters
One of my bosses a few years back said I attended EMO with child-like wonder as I looked at all the technology. Well, I hope that is still true. I think that those of us who stay in the metalworking business enjoy chips in our shoes and cutting oil in the pores. Few start out looking for a career in metalworking manufacturing. Many try and can’t do it. I get jazzed at EMO and other shows because getting to hang with my 1-percent “homies” makes this job a joy.
Read MoreGiving Thanks And Looking Ahead
I was thinking on the trip home from the EMO show in Hanover, Germany, how nice it was to see metalworking manufacturing in the midst of better times.
Read MoreLounging, Continuity And Commitment
Many manufacturing companies are family businesses (or began as one) and are passed down from generation to generation. On a recent trip to Switzerland, I visited what may be the "mac daddy" of family manufacturing businesses.
Read MoreNo, It's Not A Vacation, It's A Business Trip
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job. But who would equate going to the office with a vacation? Regardless of the destination, business travel is work. Perhaps my most recent trip to Europe will illustrate my point.
Read MoreOur Pastime’s Past Time Could Be Our Industry’s Best Time
Through expansion, I argue that baseball is perhaps less competitive today than in its past. However, survivors in precision parts manufacturing are more competitive today, which is not news to you.
Read MoreSupplier Chain Musical Chairs
Our supply chain manufacturing system reminds me of this musical chairs game. OEMs and Tier 1 companies control the music in our version of the game. Instead of finding a chair when the music stops, however, the name of this game is “lower your prices.”
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Changing Your Approach To Change-Over
When you make your living cutting parts, maximizing the time spent making chips is a good thing. Tooling a machine up and down and up again is dead time spent away from making your living. This Ohio shop has figured out how to dramatically cut its dead time. They have created cultural change that most shops can and should implement.
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