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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.

Tony Schmitz
Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Joint Faculty, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Automation

Overcoming 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?

Close Collaboration With Customers Brings Job Shop Success

Contract machining operations win when they collaborate closely and openly with customers.

5 Steps Manufacturers Can Take for Cybersecurity

All businesses need cybersecurity protection. Here are 5 ways manufacturers can improve online security practices without huge investment.

Proactive 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.

Rapid Response Cell Reduces Scheduling Snags

RRC enables machine shops to flex production quickly without risking quality or customer satisfaction.

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.

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

Aerospace

People, 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.

Automation

Modern 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.

Automation

Throughput 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.

One 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.

Driving Continuous Improvement with a Quality-First Mindset

A continuous improvement, quality-first mindset can help shops improve upon key metrics — across all departments.

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.

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.

Two 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.

Honesty 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.

Pick 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.

Exploring 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.

Make 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.

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.

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.

Are Employees Really Replaceable?

Although an individual might consider themselves to be replaceable, an organization should not see their employees that way.

Deburring

When 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.

Machining: 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.

Medical

Manufacturing 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?

4 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.

How to Practice Stage Two Thinking in Your Machine Shop

Responsible decision-making requires thinking beyond the initial benefits to consider how a change ripples throughout the machine shop’s operations and culture.

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