Shop Operations

Shop Operations columnist Tom Lipton offers additional tips for operating a CNC milling machine.

A challenge arises when a worker is promoted to manage a group of what were previously his coworkers. It's not an easy situation to tackle and much thought should be given to how this arrangement may impact personal relationships.

Shop Operations columnist Tom Lipton offers tips for operating a CNC mill.

The future of machining is bright, but perhaps with a different generation of employees and a leaner business model than before.

Anybody with half a brain can immediately see the usefulness of computer-controlled equipment. The ability of a machine to telescope the work processes so they run in parallel instead of series can turn a single machinist into a one-person army.

If an employee makes up his mind to borrow or take something without permission, chances are he'll get away with it, cautions the Manager's Desk column in the April 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

A unique manual milling method is available for generating geometrically true spherical surfaces. This technique can be used to machine convex and concave spherical surfaces. Other than the milling machine, the only tools needed are a boring head and a rotary table.

My recent past has, unfortunately, included the passing away of several acquaintances, one only 38 years old. I also read an obituary in the local paper about a machinist we formerly employed, a man only in his 50s.r In addition, an employee's wife was diagnosed with cancer, completely changing his priorities. Around this same time, my youngest brother had a medical scare, and my mother fell in her backyard and broke a shoulder, requiring a 4-week recovery and making it almost impossible for her to take care of her 90-year-old mother.r These events have brought a sobering degree of reality into my life. That is, the realization that time marches on for everyone and, eventually, something unexpected will impact our lives and our businesses.

Continuing and concluding the theme of my previous two columns, this month's installment provides additional tips for enhancing the operation of a manual milling machine.

Over the past few months, I've experienced an increasing number of friends, acquaintances and even referred strangers hitting me up for jobs. Most ask about employment opportunities for their kids, dad, brother or even neighbor.

The January 2013 Manager's Desk column ponders what it takes to achieve your shop vision.

Shop Operations columnist Tom Lipton offers tips for enhancing the operation of a manual milling machine.