View From My Shop
Rethink Quality Control to Increase Productivity, Decrease Scrap
Verifying parts is essential to documenting quality, and there are a few best practices that can make the quality control process more efficient.
Udo Jahn
General Manager, Modern Engineering
How Transparency Can Help Machine Shops Become More Efficient
Here are three areas that a machine shop owner can use to both share information and gather new information that would help them become more efficient and effective.
Read MoreOvercoming Barriers to Machine Shop Automation
Industrial automation using robots has improved productivity for operations large and small — so why do some manufacturers shy away from it?
Read MoreClose Collaboration With Customers Brings Job Shop Success
Contract machining operations win when they collaborate closely and openly with customers.
Read More5 Steps Manufacturers Can Take for Cybersecurity
All businesses need cybersecurity protection. Here are 5 ways manufacturers can improve online security practices without huge investment.
Read MoreProactive Plans Beat Pandemic Problems
Manufacturing industry challenges like the skills gap only got worse with COVID-19. Proactive planning helps businesses stay afloat, pandemic or not.
Read MoreRapid Response Cell Reduces Scheduling Snags
RRC enables machine shops to flex production quickly without risking quality or customer satisfaction.
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How Modal Testing Can Reveal Dynamic Machining Responses
Tool-holder-spindle-machine combinations each have a unique dynamic response in the same way that each person has a unique fingerprint, which can be revealed using modal testing.
The New American Manufacturing Renaissance
Contributor Andrew J. Crowe reflects on how advances in technology and diversification of the workforce have led to a renaissance in manufacturing.
Read MorePeople, Process and Principle: How to Thrive in Adversity
Trinity Precision has found success by sticking to its principles, refining processes and putting people first, even in times of adversity.
Read MoreModern Machine Shops Must Invest in Technology and Training
Investing in new technology, training and automation is a necessity for keeping up with the changing nature of manufacturing, according to Tony Staub, founder of Staub Precision Machine Inc.
Read MoreThroughput Supports the Bottom Line
Udo Jahn, general manager of Modern Engineering, says focusing on throughput is a more reliable way of increasing the bottom line than focusing on cycle time alone.
Read MoreOne Manufacturer's Trash: Lessons Learned from Moving Facilities
Titletown Manufacturing's operations manager reflects on 13 years in the same facility, the excitement of moving to a new one and finding use for what he thought was trash.
Read MoreDriving Continuous Improvement with a Quality-First Mindset
A continuous improvement, quality-first mindset can help shops improve upon key metrics — across all departments.
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Make the Most of Your Interactions With Salespeople
Don’t miss out on products and knowledge that could help your company.
Udo Jahn
General Manager, Modern Engineering
The ROI of Diversity and Inclusion for Machine Shops
Successful diversity and inclusion efforts need mutual respect — dishonest efforts will reflect poorly on your company while success will attract talent.
Read MoreTwo Generations of Lessons from the Shop Floor
There are many hard-won lessons that come from running a family-owned shop, here are a few favorites.
Read MoreHonesty and Humility in Leadership
Authenticity and an open culture are companies’ best defenses against crises, and can help them emerge from crises stronger than when they started.
Read MorePick the Right Stock to Avoid a Bad Quote
Stock selection can have a big impact on a machine shop’s bottom line. When quoting a job, don’t fall into the trap of minimal material mentality.
Read MoreExploring Virtual Internships in Manufacturing
Allison Giddens of Win-Tech Inc. describes how she turned Win-Tech’s high school internship from COVID cancellation to virtual success.
Read MoreMake a List of Disruptive Events That You've Overcome
Running a machine shop has many ups and downs but extraordinary events like COVID-19 form memories that you can reference down the line.
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Sharing the Manufacturing Narrative With Policymakers
Conversations with policymakers represent a chance to communicate our challenges, showcase our passion and impact them with our pride in American manufacturing.
Managing Generation Z in Manufacturing
The next generation of manufacturing employees have a solid work ethic and vast technical skills that provide value in the machine shop.
Read MoreAre Employees Really Replaceable?
Although an individual might consider themselves to be replaceable, an organization should not see their employees that way.
Read MoreWhen Sophisticated CNC Machine Tools Aren't the Best Answer
As a machine shop owner, challenges come every day. Sometimes, relying on the tools you’re used to can keep you from finding more beneficial solutions.
Read MoreMachining: Trade or Technology?
The answer has to do with how people view the job. Maybe reframing machining as a technology could better reflect the exciting progress the trade has made over the decades.
Read MoreManufacturing Touches Lives, Now More Than Ever
History shows that crises like the coronavirus pandemic can produce exceptional human efforts on a global scale. Is your shop participating?
Read More4 Lessons To Learn Before Transitioning Ownership of Your Business
You owe it to your family, your employees and your customers to ensure that ownership changes in the future are prepared for well in advance.
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