Laser Takes Heat Out of Tough Tool Grinding December 1, 2016 Cutting tool maker Shape-Master Tool Co. (Kirkland, IL) needed to expand its tool grinding capability beyond that of its conventional machines or run the risk of losing work to the competition.
Auto Industry Faces Short- and Long-Term Challenges December 6, 2016 Sales of cars and light trucks plummeted during the Great Recession and General Motors Co. and Chrysler emerged from government-back bankruptcies in 2009. Since then, total industry deliveries have surged, hitting a record 17.47 million in 2015, according to Autodata Corp.
Importance of Critical Thinking in MBSE December 7, 2016 Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is evolving before our eyes. Once a methodology built purely on system diagrams, today’s MBSE efforts have connected databases and unlocked an incredible potential for analysis.
Machine Designs Win New Grinding Applications December 6, 2016 In what shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, challenges for advanced grinding technology from high tech industries range from handling the most difficult-to-machine materials for aerospace jet engine turbines to series production on automotive drive train lines.
Oilfield Shop Gets into Small Parts Watchmaking December 1, 2016 When work in the oil field dried up due to poor economic conditions, Knust-Godwin LLC, a Texas oil & gas supplier, faced new challenges following transitioning into small parts machining. Rather than hunker down and wait out the cyclical downturn as many shops would do, David Prickett, sales manager, and Knust-Godwin management agreed they should work to diversify the company’s customer base.
ERP Software for Small Shops December 5, 2016 Modernizing the smaller shop with the latest digital tools available from enterprise resource planning (ERP) software developers
The Answer Really May Be Blowing in the Wind December 5, 2016 The energy industry outlook—particularly the fossil fuel industry—on the eve of 2017 is better than it was as the calendar page turned over to 2016. However, the threat of market volatility continues to exist because of politics, policy considerations, continuing (although declining) inventory gluts and the possibility of international turmoil and unexpected refinery outages.
CAM Helps Company Target High-Value Parts December 1, 2016 Monsees Group (Rochester, NY) has successfully navigated the treacherous waters from being a near-captive operation to being a highly effective competitor in the world of high-precision complex part manufacturing.
Arconic Strengthens 3D Printing Collaboration with Airbus December 14, 2016 Arconic (NYSE:ARNC), a global technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing leader, has entered into two agreements to supply Airbus 3D printed metal parts for the airplane maker’s commercial aircraft. Arconic will supply 3D printed components made from high temperature nickel superalloys, and 3D printed titanium airframe parts under two separate agreements.
A 4-part plan to help prepare for an eventual cyber breach December 19, 2016 In a recent LNS Research study on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Digital Transformation, the top two challenges facing the adoption of IIoT technology are finding the budget to invest (32% of respondents) and building the business case (30% of respondents).
