General Shop Equipment & Supplies

U.S. moldmaking has been hit hard by overseas competition. Makers of molds for glass products face added pressure because alternate materials—mostly plastics—are replacing many glass applications. Quality Mould Inc., one of a handful of independent glass mold shops remaining in the U.S., machines molds for pressed-glass products. The shop combines traditional craftsmanship with CNC machining and CAM technology that set its products apart from those of overseas competitors. Quality Mould is also leveraging its longtime skills to diversify its customer base.

March 2009 Shop Operations column

March 2009 Part Time column.

Manager's Desk

Machinist's Corner

Today's Web-based training programs can get machine operators ready to cut metal r before they ever lay hands on a real tool.

Ballizing, lapping with wire and brushing are three simple and economical hole finishing techniques that yield impressive results.

New materials, the need for lightweight parts and the burgeoning size of some aircraft challenge manufacturers of landing gear components.

Not all landing gear tests require facilities the size of small towns or the ability to land the 787 Dreamliner, which is discussed in the March 2009 cover story of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine. As impressive as Boeing's landing gear tests are (visit the Boeing Web site to view a brief overview of Boeing's landing gear technology), CTE Plus takes a look at the other end of the spectrum.

February 2009 Shop Operations column

February 2009 Machine Technology column

February 2009 Part Time column