The forums on www.mmsonline.com allow those in the metalworking community (i.e. you) to lurk, leave opinions and launch new threads within any of 16 industry- and technology-focused areas. There is one thread in our Shop Management forum, in particular, that I feel effectively demonstrates the purpose of providing
Columns
From:
7/23/2008
Modern Machine Shop, Derek Korn,
Senior Editor
The forums on www.mmsonline.com allow those in the metalworking community (i.e. you) to lurk, leave opinions and launch new threads within any of 16 industry- and technology-focused areas. There is one thread in our Shop Management forum, in particular, that I feel effectively demonstrates the purpose of providing these forums: the forums enable the metalworking community to rally around one of its own and present that person with helpful direction.
The title of the thread is What do we have to do to compete? The gentleman who posted the thread was soliciting ideas to help get his struggling shop out of its current “slump.” Many people chimed in and offered advice. Five of the replies stood out in my mind because they mirror themes found in many of the articles we’ve recently written. Those five replies included these suggestions:
Look around for the work that no one wants to do and become good at doing it.
You can only wring so much out of the actual machining operation. The cost savings really kick in when you (quickly) change from one job to another.
You need to understand what you are good at now and what you want to be good at. Then, knock on some doors. Have a good marketing package together that clearly illustrates your capabilities.
Stay up to date with technology, and keep your employees trained.
Specialize in something.
After reading through that thread, I searched our article archive and collected stories highlighting shops that have improved by implementing one of these five strategies. I figured it would be helpful to cull those articles in one place online because the person who posed that original forum question certainly isn’t the only one facing such challenges in today’s competitive market.
In addition, consider adding your two cents to the aforementioned or other forum threads, and pose any questions you may have. Visit www.mmsonline.com, click on “Forums” and remain an active member of our metalworking community.
A Selection Of Shops With The Right Approach
There is a thread in our Shop Management forum titled What do we have to do to compete? Five of the replies included the helpful suggestions below. These suggestions are common themes found in the stories we write for the magazine. Click on the selected stories in each category to find out how shops have benefitted by implementing these five strategies.
1--Look around for the work that no one wants to do and become good at doing it.
Cutting To The Model--Ameritech specializes in building and repairing large, complex molds. Its machining strategies help it eliminate hand spotting altogether by machining complex molds directly to the CAD model.
Easy Does It--This shop specializing in small-scale parts says successfully machining tiny features into tiny workpieces is less about technology and more about technique.
In It For The Long Haul--Curt Reed uses advanced grinding techniques in the pursuit of short-run, sub-micron work that other shops can’t perform or won’t attempt.
2--You can only wring so much out of the actual machining operation. The cost savings really kick in when you (quickly) change from one job to another.
Turning Is Optional!--This maker of racing engine components discovered that a lathe can still be the right choice, even without turning. One part run on a lathe calls for only milling and drilling.
How To Handle Tall Wire EDM Work--Modular workpiece fixturing plays a vital role in this shop’s quest to win larger, more difficult wire EDM jobs.
Applying Creative Workholding Techniques--Not all parts can be fixtured by conventional workholding methods. Here are a few examples of ways that shops secure feisty workpieces for milling and turning operations.
3--You need to understand what you are good at now and what you want to be good at. Then, knock on some doors. Have a good marketing package together that clearly illustrates your capabilities.
Room To Grow--That’s the reason this wire EDM shop in Wisconsin acquired a submerged-cutting wire machine that lets it handle larger, taller workpieces than just about any other job shop in the country.
BIG Inspection With Little Difficulty--A portable laser tracker let this shop increase not only its machining range, but also the range of its services to customers.
What Makes For A Good Shop Web Site?--I know what I’d like to see on your shop’s site. I suspect that manufacturers looking for new shops with which to work are interested in seeing much of the same content.
4--Stay up to date with technology, and keep your employees trained.
Engineering Employees--This shop has an internal university for developing the skills of every current employee and new hire, including many who have never set foot in a machine shop before.
Attracted To A Better Way--Modular, magnetic workholding blocks have changed the way this shop approaches the machining of both large and small workpieces.
Molding Personnel--This mold shop has a full-time employee devoted to nothing but training.
5--Specialize in something.
More Than Big Machines—A shop that specializes in very large components such as rotor hubs and support bases for wind turbines is successful because it “thinks big” about every aspect of machining parts of this size.
Economies Of Scale--Medical implant work is not just small in terms of workpiece sizes. Lot sizes and lead times can also be small when the product is still under development.
Leveraging Little Holes To Lure Additional Work--Not many contract shops can drill a 0.001-inch hole. This one can, and it uses its micro-hole-making capabilities to attract more "traditional" machining work from its customers.
