General Shop Equipment & Supplies

A blade and knife manufacturer for the lumber industry suggested that it might have to close its plant in Michigan. The largest nail producer in the U.S. has laid off 60 workers and warns that it may be forced to move its factory to Mexico. A California cannery said its profit margins could drop by up to 70 percent over the coming months. A well-known motorcycle manufacturer said it's shifting some of its production to foreign countries. What is this financial crisis that's affecting so many manufacturing companies? In each case, the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum are said to be the culprit.

Sensors have played a role in manufacturing for years, but until recently they have been largely constrained by issues such as system noise, signal attenuation, and response dynamics.Today, integration of local computing power and the internet of things has transformed ordinary sensors into smart sensors, enabling them to carry out complex calculations on measured data locally within a sensor module.

The Kardex Remstar Shuttle XP Vertical Lift Module (VLM) can now be equipped with Access Ready Light technology to improve picking productivity and accuracy. This new light tool now available helps operators visualize when the tray is in the access opening and ready for picking or putting. This upgrade, "Access Ready" lights, improves storage and retrieval of goods and order picking performance.

The effective use of prototypes can lead the way to continuous improvement.

Honing on a machining center can offer advantages.

Industry experts identify drivers behind increases in salaries and benefits.n

Our 2018 survey shows that the incomes of metalworking professionals are rising.

For TNT Custom Equipment Inc., adding machining to mix became a business necessity.

Aero Gear's Doug Rose discusses machining gears and the company's facility expansion

When filling critical shop positions, the best candidates might be right under your nose.

CTE Editor Alan Richter preps for IMTS 2018.

Providing effective troubleshooting advice, education and training will keep your customers coming back.