One example of the show’s emphasis on collaboration and engagement was the “Learning Lounge,” which provided an intimate setting for complimentary, 30-minute presentations on a variety of technical topics.
Rainy weather didn’t trouble visitors to the inaugural edition of the Mfg4 manufacturing trade show at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford last week. Lack of exposure to the elements was just one of many notable differences between the new event and the Northeast’s traditional Eastec show, which typically runs around this time of year in halls spread throughout an expansive fair grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hosted in a single 140,000-square-foot exhibit space, Mfg4 was both smaller and more focused than the average Eastec. That format reflected goals laid out by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers when it announced last May that the two events would alternate from year to year (Eastec returns in 2013). As a more selective, intimate gathering, Mfg4 is intended to foster collaboration and learning among representatives of particularly high-growth industries that face common manufacturing challenges: aerospace, defense, medical and energy (hence the “4” in the event’s name, which is also a play on the phrase “manufacturing for the future”).
Although I spent two days at Mfg4, it took less than an hour for this focus become apparent. Conference sessions, networking events, presentations and other highlights all emphasized the potential gains of sharing experience and ideas across different sectors. Likewise, the technology on display seemed to represent a balance of the four highlighted industries, and offerings overlapped in many cases. Click here for a small sampling of what caught my eye.
According to USMTO, machine tool orders in March 2012 were 2,304 units and $458,506,000. This is the fourth strongest month for machine tool unit sales since September 2008. However, this is the first month since the recovery began that unit sales were less than the same month one year ago. But, the one-month rate of change in unit sales for March 2012 was just slightly negative, at -5.4 percent. This isn’t a surprise though, at least to me. My forecast for machine tool unit sales in March was 2,300. The annual growth rate for unit sales is still reasonably strong at 25.7 percent, but that rate has now slowed for 10 consecutive months.
Two of the most important leading indicators for machine tool sales are exchange rates and industrial production. Against all currencies, the dollar has gained value in each of the last five months, and against the major currencies, the dollar has gained value in each of the last four months. Even though the annual rate of change for both is still negative, this trend in the dollar typically points to slower machine tool sales. However, industrial production is trending the other direction. The one-month rate of change for industrial production has grown more than 8.0 percent each of the last three months. The annual rate of change has grown has grown faster for five straight months. This is good indication that machine tools will either stay or strong or grow faster in the next year or so.
For more information on machine tool sales and leading indicators, go here.
What is the most effective process for producing a short run of plastics parts? Is low-volume injection molding better, such as molding with an aluminum core and cavity, or is the better approach to generate the parts directly through additive manufacturing?
The answer depends on various factors, says Jeff Hanson, manager of business development with RedEye On Demand (a Stratasys company). Injection molding permits tight tolerances, smooth surfaces and the full range of molded material options. Injection molding with a rapidly manufactured tool is also the more effective choice for the higher end of low-volume quantities.
However, additive manufacturing shines when any of various other factors are key. If the part geometry is complex, if revisions to the part design are likely, or if the parts are required on an on-demand basis, then building the parts directly on an additive machine is likely to make more sense. Learn much more about the comparison between these processes in this video presentation.
This month represents the 20th anniversary of the monthly MMS column “Gaging Tips,” written by George Schuetz, director-precision gages for Mahr Federal Inc. To commemorate this anniversary, George wrote this article in which he reflects on how part-measurement strategies, process and equipment have also evolved over the past 20 years.
George is also part of our “Ask the Expert” group of industry specialists. Click here if you’d like to ask him a question about gaging or inspection equipment or processes.
Wireless data transmission is one of the latest developments that has enabled manufacturers to make more effective use of accurate measurement data.
Measurement technologies have evolved quite a bit from the early days of air gaging.
If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I’m not sure I would have believed something like this existed—a tool chest with a built-in mini fridge, a four-outlet power strip, a combination sound system with AM/FM radio, CD player and iPod hookup, plus the speakers to belt out whatever the system’s playing. The chest, made of stainless steel, has all the other features you’d expect, such as lined drawers and top shelf with lift-up lid.
The tool chest belongs to Gary Schulz, CNC manager at Eifel Tool in Fraser, Michigan. I was at Eifel to talk about zero-stock machining of molds, a technique that the shop takes very seriously. This technique will be the focus of our upcoming June issue. This isn’t the first time MMS has written about this shop (3 + 2 machining is another technique that Eifel embraces heartily), but it’s the first time I’ve been there. And the first time I’ve seen a chest like this.
We were at the end of my visit and I must have asked some open-ended exit question about other interesting processes or equipment at the shop. “You ought to see Gary’s tool chest with a refrigerator, radio and microwave,” someone said in jest. Of course, Gary was happy to show it off. Putting the portable microwave oven on the top shelf was his idea, by the way. My camera was still in hand so I grabbed the shot of Gary next to the tool chest.
I’ve since learned the tool chest is a Kobalt 53-inch model available at Lowe’s. Gary and another coworker at Eifel acquired theirs a few years ago. The shop guys take turns bringing in CDs or MP3 players to use on the sound system, so Gary’s tool chest is popular fixture at Eifel.
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