April 2008 Edition
CAD/CAM
Breaking the Mold
Lean principles and a CAD program let a manufacturer make aluminum rather than steel molds, saving the customer time and money
LASER CUTTING
Cut Out for the Part
A steel company, once known for just cutting steel, added a laser cutter that let it move into parts production
WORKHOLDING
You’ve Got to Know When to Hold Them
A palleting system helped reduce setup time and saved a shop an estimated $75,000 by keeping zero at zero
MACHINING CENTERS
From Bottleneck to Breakthrough
Replacing machinery on its last legs provided a boon in production and flexibility
TURNING CENTERS
Getting by With a Little Help from Friends
When an increase in demand left a limitation in its machine crop, a machine-tool manufacturer bought another brand to fill a need its own tools weren’t meeting
SHOP MANAGEMENT
Snacks Sold Separately
Using a vending machine to organize its tool inventory put money back into the pocket of a tool and die manufacturer
DEPARTMENTS
Editor's Corner
When it comes to new energy sources, putting them in the editor’s back yard is just fine
Industry News
From the Shop Floor
Dave explains how solid modeling at Ansco Machine Co. streamlines production
Controlling Interest
Performing virtual machining before cutting metal can sidestep problems
Spotlight: Waterjet
New Products
The Last Word
With other nations at our heels threatening to surpass us as manufacturing leaders, we must take efforts to step-up research and development, lest we fall behind