Supply Chain & Logistics

Shop Operations: Safety the key to humans and robots working together.

Machine Technology: New voice-enabled digital assistant can make it easier to learn about, operate and maintain a machine tool.

If not for a high school technical program that introduced Matt Schauer to the manufacturing industry, the 25-year-old might have never ended up at Fredon Corp., operating a machine as big as a room in a house.

Throughout 2018, a Florida-based used CNC machine dealer has been putting its money where its mouth is to support the longevity of the American manufacturing industry – this time with introduction of Veteran to Machinist – a scholarship program exclusively for veterans. CNCMachines.net announced it will award three $1,000 scholarships to veterans who want to pursue careers as machinists.

Many headlines today allude to a skills gap in manufacturing, referring to a lack of skilled labor needed to fill rapidly expanding employment opportunities in the manufacturing industry. After all, U.S. manufacturing added 327,000 jobs in the past year, pushing the industry to its best annual job gain in more than 20 years. When manufacturing companies collaborate with schools to show students that manufacturing is not just a viable career path but a rewarding and lucrative one as well, we all benefit.

Modern manufacturing is a diverse, inclusive community, embracing and supporting the creativity that each person can bring to build something bigger than an individual. Many manufacturers are setting great examples of what the future of the workplace will look like and of what other firms should aspire to achieve. Learn the five key themes that manufacturing companies are addressing to take their diversity and inclusion work to the next level.

After being at AB Sandvik Coromant, Sandviken, Sweden, for 17 years, Nadine Crauwels was appointed global president of the cutting tool manufacturer in May 2017. She has had roles in sales, product management, product introduction, custom tools and strategic relations.

Cluster's CEO and founder, Kim Taylor, has been highlighted in People Magazine's feature "25 Women Changing the World."

Brad Laux, director of metalworking strategy at W.W. Grainger Inc., discusses how the company fits into the production floor at customer facilities. He also outlines a new study about the metalworking industry.

Xometry, an on-demand manufacturing platform, launched the Xometry Shop Advantage Program, which is exclusive to qualified members of Xometry's manufacturing partner network of over 2,400 small and midsize manufacturers. The program provides Xometry's manufacturing partners with easy access to a portfolio of offers on computer hardware, tooling, raw materials and business services, such as equipment financing.

Mill/turn lathes and multitask machines continue to cut a broad swath across the manufacturing landscape.

Despite my sore feet and the cold, overpriced sandwiches, I love the International Manufacturing Technology Show. The whine of the spindles, the smell of the coolant, the machine gun sound of the chips hitting the glass—these might not be the memories the exhibitors want me to carry home, but they stick with me the longest.