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Pete Zelinski,
Senior Editor,
Special Projects
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Automation And Employment Aren’t Adversaries
 Instead of being a replacement for jobs, automation is a safeguard for jobs. That’s how Steelville Manufacturing Company sees it. This contract machining business added a four-machine pallet cell to its shop. The automated system gave the company the confidence to add employees, despite a volatile business climate.
The reason for this confidence is that the break-even point of the cell doesn’t require the shop to capture all 24 hours of capacity. Thus, some of the capacity is optional. The company can staff for a conservative level of business, but still go after a high level of business—using lights-out machining to absorb any surges in demand.
To read more about how automation safeguards this shop’s staffing, click here.
Inbox Insight
Is Capacity Lurking In Your Old Machines?
An old, but still very functional vertical turning center became easier to use and actually realized more cutting time thanks to a control retrofit that cost only hundreds of dollars.
Read the story here.
New Video
What Is The Value Of Tool Balancing?
Newly posted video on MMS Online shows how tool/toolholder imbalance is measured and corrected. The video also describes some of the ways that this balancing can improve the performance of the machining center. Watch the video.
View Video
Webinar
Understanding Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Control technology provider Siemens will host a Webinar on overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) on January 26 from 2 to 3 p.m. EST. OEE is a performance measure that clearly indicates how much potential productivity a machining process is realizing. Siemens will also discuss the related topics of disturbance, availability and utilization analysis—with practical examples illustrating how a shop can put OEE to use.
Register for this free online event.
Presented by:
Register Today
Industry Event
PDx/amerimold: Keynote Speakers Announced
PDx/amerimold, a new event that builds on the popularity of Moldmaking Expo and Time Compression Expo by featuring the latest technology in mold manufacturing, tooling, design and product development, is excited to announce its 2010 Keynote Speakers:
The show runs May 11-13 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit www.pdx-amerimold.com for more information.
Our Next Issue
EDM, Automation And Medical Machining
Modern Machine Shop’s February issue will describe the automated system involving EDM and robotic automation that was recently installed by a manufacturer of PCD and CBN tooling. Another article on automation describes how machining cells let a gearbox maker load heavy workpieces in a way that frees operators to do more valuable work.
Also, read about one company’s challenge with machining prototypes for a new surgical component constructed from a very hard material and the role that software played in realizing efficient production of this part.
Subscribe now or renew your subscription.
Newly Posted Products
From The Product Repository At MMS Online
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Toolpath Refinement Produces Finer Finish
CNC Software’s Mastercam X4 provides expanded machining flexibility and an increased emphasis on speed and automation. It also introduces 3D surface toolpath refinement, a technique that is said to deliver a much finer finish on complex parts.
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Deburr Cross-Holes at The Spindle
J.W. Done says the flexibility of the Orbitool allows it to reach and deburr areas that are inaccessible to conventional rigid tools, such as cross-holes at the spindle.
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Turning Center Designed for Rigidity
The Haas ST-30 turning center is designed for rigidity, accuracy and thermal stability. All castings are optimized using finite element analysis (FEA) to produce rigid designs, improve chip and coolant flow and simplify maintenance and service, the company says.
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