General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Whether an interviewer or interviewee, it is important to be prepared when discussing a job opening. An e-book provides 110 typical questions and answers for production interviews, as well as tips for how to prepare.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December, and the overall economy grew for the 103rd consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The December Purchasing Managers' Index registered 59.7 percent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the November reading of 58.2 percent. This indicates growth in manufacturing for the 16th consecutive month, led by strong expansion in new orders and production, with hiring growing at a slower rate and supplier deliveries continuing to struggle.

Klüber Lubrication introduces Klüberplus Z 01-006 US, a water-based solvent containing wetting agents, corrosion inhibitors and degreasing compounds.

The maintenance spare parts business is in turmoil. There have been fundamental changes in the sale, distribution and storage of spare parts needed to maintain machinery and other physical assets. The key to uptime in manufacturing is managing risk, and "Surviving the Spare Parts Crisis: Maintenance Storeroom and Inventory Control" by Joel Levitt describes how to evaluate risk in the inventory.

Amada Miyachi America Inc. announces that its state-of-the-art Series 300 electronic weld head offers the precisely controlled weld force profile suitable for miniature parts welding. Originally released more than 20 years ago, there are more than 1,000 Series 300 electronic weld heads in use all over the world, with more than half going into operation in the last decade.

While manufacturing jobs dominated in the 20th century, many believe that coding will have a similar impact during the 21st century. "I think we've lost the ability to make things," said Adam Enbar, co-founder of Flatiron School, on Fox Business' "Wall Street Week." "Americans love to build and create and make things. This is that new wave. The new form of manufacturing is making software." Flatiron School, which is located in New York City, is a coding boot camp that trains people of all skill levels on how to code.

Industrial Press Inc. says Warren Hammer's "Blueprint Reading Basics" has been a bestselling classic for nearly two decades, revered for its ease of understanding and for giving readers opportunities to practice what they learned.

Machine enclosures from Hennig Inc. are designed to protect operators from injury and valuable machinery from the environment. The company's engineers work closely with customers so that their enclosure fits all the requirements for an application (i.e, ventilation, power inlets, conveyor openings).

GMSi Group Inc. offers decades of experience in abrasive machining applications in metalworking, industrial sharpening and manufacturing. Proprietary formulations, aggressive stock-removal rates with product consistency while yielding the finish results your applications require, according to the company.

In connection with the article I'm writing about metalworking fluid filtration equipment for our March issue, I spoke with Irvin Kaage, president of Transor Filter USA, Elk Grove Village, Ill. The company provides the One Micron Filtration system, which removes particles larger than 1µm from oil, primarily for grinding.

Marion Technical College's new $500,000 mobile training lab has the potential to train hundreds of workers each year throughout central Ohio, writes Hasan Karim in The Marion Star. The vehicle's 400-sq.-ft. simulation center accommodates eight students, each with a laptop and other training equipment, officials say. Bob Haas, the college's chief strategy officer, says the purpose of the mobile lab is to provide on-site training to local manufacturers.

In addition to helping counteract any automation-caused unemployment, writes Brad Jones for the website Futurism, a universal basic income could provide a huge boost to the U.S. economy. A study from the Roosevelt Institute predicts that 8 years of universal basic income would result in a $2.48 trillion increase in the nation's gross domestic product.