 |
Derek Korn,
Senior Editor,
e-mail |
We All Could Use A Little Good News
With all the doom and gloom published in various news outlets each day, it would be refreshing to read some good news about manufacturing and the economy in general. So here are a couple links I’ve found to some “cup-half-full” blogs that cull stories reporting positive news. (You know, the stuff that doesn’t seem to get much media attention.)
Check out The Good News Economist and Positive Economic News. In addition to reading the stories they’ve collected, you can contribute positive articles that you’ve found surfing the Internet.
Modern Machine Shop's "30-Second Survey" -- Speaking of positivity and contribution, are current business and economic conditions generating feelings of optimism, or not so much? Let us know by taking our brief, 30-Second Survey.
The survey results will be included in next month’s MMS Extra newsletter (but your names will remain confidential). Click here to complete the survey.
| Featured Product |
The DUO Series from Makino is the first wire EDM to offer a DuoSpark generator
AND a dual wire guide option. This means faster, more accurate machining that
increases cutting speeds by up to 30% and reduces wire consumption by as much
as 40%. See the DUO43 and DUO64 machines in action at www.makino.com/DUO. |
New On MMS Online:
Revamped Video Page
The appetite for metalworking videos is increasing, so we’ve updated our Web site’s video home page to streamline navigation. Check it out.
The main box offers a series of rotating videos that you can select. In addition, categories below that box feature videos specific to certain machining topics, including machining centers, composites machining, micromachining, HSM, cutting tools, turning and grinding. In addition to the repository of videos, the page also highlights the most recent inMotion on-demand webinars.
View Videos and inMotion on-demand webinars.
Industry Information
An Easy Way To Boost Productivity
In this column, I cite a study in which U.S. manufacturing managers believe they will lose out on nearly half of their potential productivity gains this year. Steve Paulding, a cutting tool specialist for the Industrial Distribution Group, responded to me with what he says is a simple, yet effective way for shops using CNC lathes or mills to cut cycle times by 10 percent and improve tool life: Turn the feed rate override to 110 percent.
Mr. Paulding says many shops have benefitted from this advice. He believes 6 seconds can be cut from every 60 seconds of cycle time, and every 30 minutes of tool life can be extended to 31.5 minutes.
Don’t stop there. Mr. Paulding suggests running with the override at 110 percent for a little while. If no part-quality or tool-life issues arise, edit the part program with the higher feed rate and drop the override back to 100 percent. If all continues to go well, bump up the override to 110 percent and see if you achieve more gains. By continuing this process until a problem arises, Mr. Paulding says you’ll know how far you can push your tools and machines.
Read More.
Your Thoughts
Throwing Your Hat In The Wind Energy Ring?
There are signs that the United States will soon start making the move to wind power in earnest. However, I suspect that the country lacks the big machining capacity needed to meet the potential demand for large turbine components such as rotor hubs. Do you have the capacity to machine such sizeable parts, and are you poising your shop to support the wind energy market? Or, has the potential for winning new business in this alternative energy segment spurred you to consider adding large machines?
Please share your thoughts. If we publish your response, you’ll receive a copy of Modern Machine Shop's Handbook for the Metalworking Industries.
To respond, send an e-mail to Derek.
Metalworking Mojo
Can You Weld Aluminum Foil?
Although we primarily focus on the chip-making operations shops perform, this welding “parlor trick” on Miller Electric’s Web site is worth a look-see.
The trick—welding together two pieces of aluminum foil—is performed by Ron Covell, owner of Covell Creative Metalworking. Mr. Covell’s customized cars and motorcycles have been featured in a number of magazines. His Web site has examples of his handiwork and numerous welding instructional DVDs that he offers. Give this trick a shot!
View Video
Our Next Issue
Caves, Knobs, Molds And Tubes
The cover story for the June issue of Modern Machine Shop describes an instruments manufacturer—located in a man-made cave, no less—that found lean manufacturing could lead to accelerated product development. Another feature cautions that overlooking the unassuming retention knob can decrease tool life. We also explain why a moldmaking operation added an advanced six-axis gundrilling machine as part of its efforts to streamline every step of the mold-building process. Also, find out how a Texas shop addresses the challenges honing long oil rig components.
Subscribe now or renew your subscription.
Newly Posted Products
From The Product Repository At MMS Online
|
