MMT Blog
Partnerships Aplenty
Midway through my week of IMTS wanderings, I have noticed a number of companies sharing booth space.
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Now This Is Brilliant!
Yesterday Craig Cegielski of Eleva-Strum Tech spoke on his bold idea about manufacturing education. The highest-level class in his school's vocational manufacturing program takes on contract machining work from commercial customers. A class full of students making actual, sellable, end-use parts. A student-run job shop located on school grounds. What a brilliant way to teach AND help fund the school’s program.
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Software Manufacturers Reveal Moldmaking-Specific Offerings
There are some software manufacturers focusing on the moldmaking market, as reshoring efforts have stepped up—keeping two mold/die software manufacturers extremely busy. These exhibitors note that moldmakers are busier than ever—especially in automotive areas like Detroit.
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Cavalier Tool Tells Its Story at IMTS
Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. of Windsor, Ontario, explained on Monday during Makino's Lunch & Learn how it handles drilling, boring, thread milling, tapping, 2-D and 3-D machining without the operator ever touching the part. Cavalier Tool believes that technology is increasing at a tremendous rate, which demands that they keep up with the latest innovations, and in order to do this they developed an in-house program that continuously analyzes their current technology, makes recommendations based on the current technology and replaces older equipment with newer, faster automated machinery. On average, three to four pieces of equipment are replaced annually through this program.
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Machining Manufacturers Focusing on Mold/Die
Walking the IMTS show floor today I noticed some leading machining equipment manufacturers have focused on showing features like advanced CNC controls and higher spindle feeds.
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Conventions Deliver Little Economic Value
We are in the middle of the convention season for the Democratic and Republican parties, and it should come as no surprise to anyone that the major topic at both conventions is the economy. Both parties are long on promises about how they would “fix the economy” or “get this economy going” or “create jobs” or “strengthen the middle class.” But I have come to the conclusion that neither side really has a solution for the economic problems that currently vex us.
Read MoreCylindrical Drive Technology Adds Efficiency to EDM Operations
New system only exposes half of the magnetic flux to the face of the coils.
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"Tour" a Museum at IMTS!
At this year’s IMTS, the American Precision Museum, located in Windsor, VT, is showcasing the history of precision manufacturing via a collection of fine historic American machine tools in Booth E-4783. A working machine shop will be at the center of its booth!
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Suiting Up Our Future Moldmakers
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) is a school we've covered before for its outstanding programming in tool & die and its commitment to the industry overall. Today my friend over there, Bob Novak shared some pictures to show me where a couple of our MoldMaking Technology Top 10 t-shirts showed up--with WCTC tool and die students of the year Jack Andrew and Max Bayer.
Read MoreDesign Change Communication Modernized
A look at how CAD comparison and direct modeling technology have improved design change communication processes.
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Eliminate Chatter and Solve Finish Problems
Eliminating chatter is a great way to improve surface finish when performing CNC milling. Okuma's Machining Navi M-i detects chatter and automatically adjusts spindle speed to eliminate chatter, thus improving surface finish. This is a terrific tool for the mold/die industry.
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The Value of Hiring Interns
As a college student at a top engineering school who has also been exposed to the manufacturing industry for most of my life—my father Todd is the owner of Commercial Tool & Die (Comstock Park, MI) and the new president of the American Mold Builder’s Association (AMBA)—I see a disconnect between schools like Purdue and the small businesses that support a vast percentage of American Manufacturing.
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