Closing The Loop

As we assemble the pages of Production Machining’s 2007 Buyer’s Guide, I’m reminded of its significance as a resource for finding suppliers in our industry. This directory of precision turning products, services and their suppliers is a handy tool for shops looking for the things they need to keep their businesses on the cutting edge. It can be kept on the desk throughout the year for quick reference to the vendors who bring the equipment to the floor. But it remains only the beginning of the resources available from PM to keep our readers abreast of the technology that keeps the industry growing.

While we strive with this Buyer’s Guide to bring you the most comprehensive, up-to-date information for our industry, we realize that a print publication, by nature, cannot stay current forever. Although it makes good sense to keep this magazine close by throughout the year for quick reference, you should keep in mind the corresponding resources at www.productionmachining.com that bring the information full circle.

We have designed this Buyer’s Guide to be used in tandem with our Web site. There, you can access a continuously updated directory of suppliers, along with industry resources and an ever-growing accumulation of articles and product information that can assist you as you research individual technologies. The Guide identifies suppliers of specific products and services, but the Web site gives further detail about these suppliers, allowing you to continue your research anonymously until you’re ready to make contact with the companies of your choice.

One major difference between information found in a magazine and that which is online is the manner of delivery. A magazine places an abundance of information in front of the reader, much of which may not be exactly what he or she is looking for. It allows the reader to explore new ideas, and it presents options that the reader might not have considered otherwise. Most online research, however, typically delivers specifically what was requested. People turn to the Web when they know what they want because of its targeted search capabilities. Because of this basic principle of online research, we make a continuous effort to provide the most comprehensive tools and information for our industry at our Web site.

As you browse the pages of this Buyer’s Guide, you’ll notice various Learn More icons strategically placed throughout the product categories. These Learn Mores serve a few different purposes, but all are indicators that more information about that category is available online.

When you see a Learn More icon marked “Suppliers,” you will know that suppliers of the additional listed products can be found online. As is the case when researching any of the product categories at www.productionmachining.com, use the “Find Suppliers” link on the home page to locate companies that offer the products or services in which you are interested. By following a company’s link, you can find detailed information, including company address, phone, fax, e-mail link and Web site link. In many cases, a Showroom presentation is also available that further highlights the capabilities and offerings of the individual supplier.

You will also find “Article” Learn More icons in certain categories, provided as reminders that an archive of articles is available on that subject. From the home page, a link to the article archive, as well as quick links to specific categories in the archive, is provided. Within the archive, which is categorized by process and product, articles also can be searched by keywords as well as print date.

The third Learn More type provides access to extensive information about specific products. By following the link provided and selecting a specific product type, you can access an array of product descriptions, matched with their manufacturers and corresponding contact information.

Each month, a new issue of Production Machining is delivered, full of coverage of new equipment and technology and how shops are implementing these for competitive advantages. Our approach with the Buyer’s Guide is no different in that we invite you to take advantage of the information provided, not only by reading the magazine itself, but also by visiting our Web site for supporting tools designed to complete your research.