Industry News

News • October 5, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

RFID, barcode scanning keeps manufacturers on track

Easy, accurate tracking of items through the manufacturing process is becoming more and more important in the quality-conscious 'Smart-Factory' era. RFID tagging has distinct advantages as a tracking method, but barcode scanning has its adherents too.

News • October 4, 2017

MC Machinery Systems hosts grand opening at new headquarters

MC Machinery Systems Inc. hosted more than 1,000 customers, visitors and team members for the grand opening of its new headquarters in September. The event was one of the first opportunities for customers and partners to explore the 175,000-sq.-ft. facility, which includes a 50,000-sq.-ft. showroom among many other modern amenities.

News • October 4, 2017 • Alan Richter

Open architecture CNC at Wisconsin manufacturing expo

For those who want to enhance a CNC by adding capabilities, Chris Robson, applications engineer for Minneapolis-headquartered machine tool dealer Concept Machine Tool – (Delafield) Wisconsin, gave a presentation titled "What Else is Inside this Box? Open Architecture CNC." His seminar took place Oct. 3 at the 15th biennial Wisconsin Manufacturing & Technology Show in the Exhibition Center at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee.

News • October 3, 2017

Metalcutting Corp. blog looks at honing and lapping

Both are used to achieve a smooth surface and precision dimensions on metal parts, writes MC's Joshua Jablons. "Both are usually performed at the end of the manufacturing process to remove a very small amount of material or finesse the finish on a part. The difference between honing and lapping begins to be revealed if we look at where on a part each process is performed: While honing is used where parts need a precise inside diameter, lapping is performed on an outside flat surface. And when we look at what each process is, the distinctions between the two are plain to see."

News • October 2, 2017

LiquidPlanner Inc., P3 Group target dynamic project management

LiquidPlanner Inc., Seattle, a developer of dynamic project management software, and P3 Group, Aachen, Germany, a manufacturing consultancy, partnered to deliver project management software and accelerate deployments for manufacturing customers worldwide.

News • October 2, 2017

New name for Dürr Ecoclean GmbH

Dürr Ecoclean GmbH, Filderstadt, Germany, is changing its name to Ecoclean.

News • October 2, 2017

Moving to lights-out cutting tool production

Jet Tool & Cutter launched in 1968 as a small cutter regrind shop, taking orders on paper and mailing quotes back to the customer. Since then, the bustling, growing firm has worked out the solution that allows it to quickly produce a wide variety of high-quality carbide cutting tools for aerospace, firearms and general machining applications. Its solution allows the shop to meet tightening customer demands for quality and quick delivery while facing a shrinking pool of available skilled hands.

News • October 2, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

ISM: Manufacturing expands to 60.8% in September; highest since 2004

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September, and the overall economy grew for the 100th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. The September PMI was 60.8 percent, an increase of 2 percentage points from the August reading of 58.8 percent. This indicates growth in manufacturing for the 13th consecutive month and is the highest reading since May 2004, when the index registered 61.4 percent.

News • September 29, 2017

Komet Group GmbH partners with MachiningCloud Inc.

Almost 30,000 metric tools from Komet Group GmbH, Besigheim, Germany, are now available through MachiningCloud Inc., Camarillo, Calif.

News • September 29, 2017 • Michael C. Anderson

‘New-collar’ jobs, millennial workers and Manufacturing Day

In manufacturing, the nature of the work as well as the nature of the workers are changing: What's a prospective employer to do? Some pre-Manufacturing Day discussion.

News • September 28, 2017

An overview of milling applications

Entering the workpiece is an essential part of optimizing tool life and reducing vibrations. The roll-in method allows you to softly and smoothly enter the workpiece. Inserts are eased into the cut following the golden rule of milling: a thick chip on entry and a thin chip on exit. Click on the link for more milling tips from Sandvik Coromant.

News • September 28, 2017

World Bank: Tech, trade changes disrupting manufacturing-led development

Advances in technology and changing trade patterns are affecting opportunities for export-led manufacturing. Smart automation, advanced robotics and 3-D printing are new factors influencing which locations are attractive for production. While these shifts threaten significant disruptions in future employment, particularly for low-skilled workers, they also offer opportunities, according to a new report released today by the World Bank Group.