Increasing OEM Visibility to Shopfloor Operations for the Win
By: Brent Donaldson
A former employee of General Motors and Tesla talks about the issues that led to shutdowns on factory lines, and what small- to medium-sized manufacturers can do today to win business from large OEMs.
#thesetup
JTEKT Technology Days Showcases Synergies
By: Julia Hider
The event took place following the company’s completion of its new showroom and decision to merge several of its brands under the JTEKT name.
Building Machines and Apprenticeships In-House: 5-Axis Live
By: Evan Doran
Universal machines were the main draw of GROB’s 5-Axis Live — though the company’s apprenticeship and support proved equally impressive.
#workforcedevelopment
Metalworking Activity is Nearing a Full Year of Contraction
By: Jan Schafer
Metalworking activity has contracted since October of 2022.
#economics
Swiss-Type Control Uses CNC Data to Improve Efficiency
Advanced controls for Swiss-type CNC lathes uses machine data to prevent tool collisions, saving setup time and scrap costs.
Finding Skilled Labor Through Partnerships and Benefits
By: Nathaniel Fields
To combat the skilled labor shortage, this Top Shops honoree turned to partnerships and unique benefits to attract talented workers.
#topshops #workforcedevelopment
Building A Powerful Bridge from the CAM Programmer to the Shop Floor Operator
SolidCAM for Operators provides a powerful bridge from CAM programming to the shop floor to best streamline the machine shop process with its CAM part simulation. It provides a clear picture to the operator for setup and prove-out, enables minor G-Code changes and avoids crashes, broken tools and scrapped parts.
Same Headcount, Double the Sales: Successful Job Shop Automation
By: Evan Doran
Doubling sales requires more than just robots. Pro Products’ staff works in tandem with robots, performing inspection and other value-added activities.
#workforcedevelopment #topshops
Marposs Celebrates its Past, Eyes Future Opportunities
By: Nathaniel Fields
During its open house in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Marposs presentations focused on future opportunities across growing industries such as EV and semiconductors.
Lean Approach to Automated Machine Tending Delivers Quicker Paths to Success
Almost any shop can automate at least some of its production, even in low-volume, high-mix applications. The key to getting started is finding the simplest solutions that fit your requirements. It helps to work with an automation partner that understands your needs.
In Moldmaking, Mantle Process Addresses Lead Time and Talent Pool
By: Peter Zelinski
A new process delivered through what looks like a standard machining center promises to streamline machining of injection mold cores and cavities and even answer the declining availability of toolmakers.
#workforcedevelopment #zaxis
CNC Machine Shop Honored for Automation, Machine Monitoring
By: Eli Plaskett
From cobots to machine monitoring, this Top Shop honoree shows that machining technology is about more than the machine tool.
#topshops
Open House Showcases Five-Axis Capabilities, Digital Tools
By: Eli Plaskett
Five-axis machining technology was the highlight of the Hwacheon open house in Lincolnshire, Illinois this August.
Job Shops Can’t Do Everything, And That’s OK
By: Julia Hider
Deciding to narrow down its jobs and customers was a turning point for 2023 Top Shops Business Strategies honoree Manda Machine that has led to improvements in the front office and on the shop floor.
#topshops
3 TASC Topics That Touch on Automation Considerations for Job Shops
By: Nathaniel Fields
Automation is no longer a luxury in manufacturing today – it’s a necessity. The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect job shops with experts who offer advice and considerations for this process.
Receiving Honors and Actionable Feedback Through Top Shops
By: MMS Editorial Staff
The Top Shops benchmarking program not only honors the best of the best, but it provides actionable data, enabling participants to recognize “how high is up.”
Considerations for Adding CMM Capabilities to Your Shop
By: John Miller
CMMs may provide simple efficiency gains, but if you look deeper, the machine unlocks more complex work for your shop.
