General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Like most businesses, manufacturing is subject to cycles of stagnation and acceleration. Historically, improved manufacturing has led to the growth of the service sector, which in turn has led to a diminished manufacturing base. Manufacturers will no longer be able to produce a "one size fits all" product and hope the buying public will respond. Consumer input will be required, and processes will have to be adaptable to quickly respond to changes in demand.

Brynäs IF are one of Sweden's best ice hockey teams. We discover how combining the latest knife blade steel and the best boot innovations keep them ahead of the competition.

No. 931 is an electrically-heated, 1,250° F high-temperature universal oven from Grieve, currently used for various heat treatments at a customer's facility. Workspace dimensions measure 25"W x 36"D x 24"H, and 18 kW are installed in Incoloy-sheathed tubular heating elements, while a 1,000-cfm, 1-hp recirculating blower provides a universal front-to-rear airflow to the load.

There was nothing at their first meeting that suggested to Chris Salow that Amanda Hutchings would one day be president of his Peak Manufacturing Corp. and take it to record revenue. It was 2007, and she was applying for a job as marketing manager at his Shop Rat Foundation, a Jackson area-based nonprofit that teaches area high school kids how to operate factory machinery and prepare for skilled, well-paying jobs upon graduation. She was 22, and although she had graduated from Baker College with a degree in business administration with honors, she was so nervous about the interview that she had broken out in hives.

The Chicago-based Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute is opening its manufacturing floor to manufacturers and academic institutions that need to quickly test process improvements. "We are seeing a manufacturing renaissance in Chicago, and the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute is adding to that momentum," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "By opening their doors, sharing equipment and providing expertise to small businesses, startups and students, DMDII is ensuring Chicago's advanced manufacturing ecosystem will be stronger for generations to come."

Pillow block and flange bearings are commonly used in construction machines and conveyor systems, therefore they are often exposed to dirt and dust. This exposure to foreign debris creates extreme loads that the bearings must endure. To withstand these harsh scenarios, metallic bearings must be regularly maintained and lubricated. With the new igus spherical balls made of the high-performance plastic iglide J, users can now rely on a self-lubricating and maintenance-free solution.

Manufacturers are optimistic about what 2018 will bring, according to a survey. Jensen Werley of BizWest Media LLC writes that one of the three main areas of priority is talent and that half of participants said they expect to increase hiring despite the top barrier to growth being a labor shortage. The most important strategies for attracting and retaining talent are listed as increasing compensation packages, conducting internal training and apprenticeships, developing strategies to reduce turnover and being more deliberate about succession planning.

John Dauber and Kevin Tucker of Camfil APC, Jonesboro, Ark., have written a white paper about airborne mists emitted during machining processes, which pose numerous risks to human health and safety. It is important to understand the regulations that limit these emissions, as well as the various technologies available to achieve compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other regulatory agencies. This paper discusses what you can do about mist collection issues in your facility, how to evaluate which type of collection system is most suitable for your application and how to establish an overall safety program that will best protect employees and equipment.

When is the best time to sell your CNC machine? How should you prepare it to sell? How can you optimize your profit? Chicago-based Machinery Marketing International addresses these questions in the e-book "Selling CNC Machines." The guide covers considerations for selling old CNC machines.

In many technical fields, ultrafine grinding is one of the tasks that gives the product its final polish – in the truest sense of the word. This applies equally to both precision and the visual appeal. SUHNER offers an innovative grinding, milling and polishing system, SUNmic 60.

With the new VM 9 modular turning machine, EMAG has introduced a platform that covers a broad spectrum of applications thanks to the combined turning, milling and drilling technologies and intelligent machine design. The highly accessible machining area and workpiece spindle fitted at the bottom ensure short tooling times and maximum flexibility in the production of workpieces in small series.

Dormer Pramet is launching a webinar series to occur the fourth Friday of every month. The first three sessions are open for enrollment. These 30-minute sessions, which will be led by round tool and indexable product experts, are free and designed to expand participants' knowledge of cutting tools. The webinars are geared toward professionals in the fields of sales, technical support and customer service.