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Meet the Automation That Makes Machine Tool Automation
A new manufacturing cell at Mazak’s North American headquarters is one part machine tool production unit and one part demonstration facility. And it’s here to provide a lesson about how automation can tackle skilled-worker shortages and supply chain issues at the same time.
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Made in the USA – Season 1 Episode 6: The Way Forward
So far, Made in the USA has looked into system-wide effects of broken supply chains, automation, skilled workforce issues and our perception of manufacturing jobs — examining each topic through a prism of individual experiences. For this final episode for Season 1, let’s look at one more system-wide question and bring it back to personal perspectives: Is there today a new dawn, a new moment for American manufacturing?
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Made in the USA - Season 1 Episode 5: Succession - A Family Machine Shop Story
The story of Geno and David DeVandry reflects the sea change in machine shop ownership facing this country as baby boomers reach retirement age. The change in leadership from father to son at their family-owned machine ship required a new mindset, a new way running the family-owned business, and that one generation let go and allow a new one to step in.
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Made in the USA - Season 1 Episode 4: Making the Case for Manufacturing
The majority of Americans want to "bring manufacturing back" to the U.S. The problem? Many of these same people do not want their children to work in manufacturing because of outdated beliefs about what a machine shop looks like.
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Made in the USA - Season 1 Episode 3: The Supply Chain Knot
Through interviews with manufacturing leaders and economists, Episode 3 of “Made in the USA” explores the benefits and challenges of keeping manufacturing production within the United States — especially after major events such as 9-11 or the onset of a global pandemic.
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Made in the USA - Season 1 Episode 2: The Automation Puzzle
There is a fundamental question we need to answer when we talk about automation: To what extent is automation an answer to the skilled workforce shortage, and to what extent is automation vs. Skilled labor the wrong comparison to make in the first place?
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When Handing Down the Family Machine Shop is as Complex as a Swiss-Turned Part
The transition into Swiss-type machining at Deking Screw Products required more than just a shift in production operations. It required a new mindset and a new way of running the family-owned business. Hardest of all, it required that one generation let go, and allow a new one to step in.
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Made in the USA- Season 1 Episode 1: How We Got Here
Episode 1 of Made in the USA Podcast examines manufacturing issues related to trade policy, global supply chains, education, automation and our ability to produce skilled workers.
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Starting with the End in Mind: An Exit Strategy for Machine Shops
John Shegda and Eric Wilhelm each had different ideas about how they wanted to phase into retirement. The exit strategies for the three successful manufacturing businesses the two men operated included a mix of seeking equity groups, selling the business, or transitioning into an employee stock ownership plan. All it took was a friendly suggestion from a mutual friend to set them on a different path.
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Here Is Why Knust Godwin Decided to 3D Print Mission Critical Parts
Knust Godwin introduced metal 3D printing into its precision-machining environment nearly eight years ago. Now the company is using the capability to break through into new applications and give 3D printed mission-critical parts a renewed business case.
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When Organic Growth in Your Machine Shop Isn’t Enough
Princeton Tool wanted to expand its portfolio, increase its West Coast presence, and become a stronger overall supplier. To accomplish all three goals at once, acquiring another machine shop became its best option.
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Inside Oak Ridge’s 3D-Printed Machine Tool Moonshot
The widespread outsourcing of large machine castings led a collaborative team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to tackle the machine tool supply chain. The first step? 3D print the largest cast component.
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