The People Part of PMTS

PMTS is about technology. It says so in the name. But, in fact, technology including automation displayed at the Precision Machining Technology Show really is about people.

Specifically, it is about how to make the lives of those who have chosen a career in our precision machining industry easier, while enabling them to perform duties of higher value. If there was one overarching theme of the show based on my talks with multiple exhibitors, that’d be it.

Robot and cobot demonstrations showed how machine loading and other processes can be automated so a human doesn’t have to perform highly repetitive work. Vision systems can automatically measure machined parts in the blink of an eye, so hand gages, mics and other instruments can remain in the toolbox. Automatic feature recognition in CAM software can speed and simplify part programming. Quick-change tooling can make job changeovers faster, while tool presetters can simplify offset measurements. Even machine tools are being redesigned with improved ergonomic features to enable better operator and setup personnel access.

Much of this relates to the software side of things, too. Machine monitoring and connectivity tools as well as latest enterprise resource planning (ERP) software enable managers to make more informed decisions about what shopfloor processes to modify while having a better understanding of how work is truly flowing through their shops.

Articles in upcoming issues of Production Machining will highlight the equipment and software supporting these initiatives in greater detail.

Interactions at presentations such as those at the Tech Talk Theater also touched on topics such as these while fostering interaction and networking between presenters and attendees. One good example was a panel discussion I moderated related to a story I wrote about Midway Swiss Turn’s journey to cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) which you can read at gbm.media/cmmc-323. During the discussion, Jayme Rahz, Midway Swiss Turn’s CEO, described the small Ohio shop’s efforts to achieve CMMC, which will soon be required for any manufacturer hoping to win or continue work with the U.S. Department of Defense. The discussion included representatives from Vestige Digital Investigations and northeastern Ohio’s Magnet MEP, which have assisted the shop along the path to CMMC. And you can tell when it’s a good presentation when it’s pretty well attended and people don’t get up and leave partway through it, but, instead stay to ask more questions of the panelists afterward.

Plus, for me, PMTS enables me to reconnect with industry friends while meeting others who I do not know. In addition, an event such as PMTS enables me to interact with talented people from the Gardner Business Media team with whom I don’t typically interact on any sort of daily basis. It really is a talented bunch.

Ultimately, shops are after faster cycle times, improved efficiencies and higher profits. Thinking about the people part of the process can certainly help achieve those goals.