Chris Koepfer Editor Emeritus

1 Apr 2007

Exceeding My Expectations

I recently had the opportunity to wear a new hat—that of a customer needing some work done by a precision machined parts maker.

1 Mar 2007

As our industry moves forward, dealing with change we didn’t ask for and challenges we’d rather not face, I submit we need only look at our dads and granddads from that “Greatest Generation” for the inspiration to carry on. They have shown us boomers, X-ers, Y-ers and Z-ers what the real deal is about.

19 Feb 2007

Ceramic Fibers For Precision Deburring

Removing burrs from precision machined parts is the bane of every metalworking shop. These pesky residuals add to the cost and complexity to most production processes. Moreover, most customers for precision parts mandate a zero-tolerance policy for burrs.

Medical 19 Feb 2007

Want To Do Medical Work? Set Up To Perform

This Midwest manufacturer has found its niche in machining parts for the medical industry. Much of its success is attributable to its efficient use of single-spindle CNC turning centers. However, the company prefers to talk about what happens when the tool touches the metal, and let the results speak for themselves.

1 Feb 2007

Our Changing Buying Habits

Buyer’s guides have been around probably as long as trade magazines. These compendiums have been a staple of publishing, and you’ve probably seen many come across your desk through the years. Ours is a relative newcomer in that we started it just last year.

1 Jan 2007

Turning Another Corner: Freeway or Blind Alley?

Most of the forecast information I’ve read about 2007, our own included, indicates that at worst, 2007 will be as good as 2006, and at best it will see some growth. The indicators—employment, inflation, capacity utilization and capital expenditure—all point to positive numbers for at least the first half of the year.

1 Dec 2006

Give Yourself A Gift

While thinking about the holiday season, if you have one or more colleagues who you think would benefit from a personal copy of PM, pass this information to them so they can subscribe, too.

1 Dec 2006

Hudson Precision Products Enters Second Century

I caught up with Jim Wrenn, vice president of Hudson Precision Products, (Broadview, Illinois) at the PMPA Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, Florida. Jim’s family business celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, so I was curious about his thoughts about taking the business into its second century.

Single & Multi-Spindles 16 Nov 2006

Speed, Accuracy And Power In A CNC Multi World

The inherent advantages of the multi-spindle machine design remain in place within the metalworking industry. What have changed are the volume, complexity and tolerance requirements to which manufacturers must produce. Builders are responding with enhancements that keep traditional multi-spindle advantages, while dealing with the new production issues.

1 Nov 2006