SUCCESS STORIES
January 26, 2010
Cutting complex contours, meeting tight tolerances and reducing setups are just a few of the most celebrated benefits of five-axis machine tools. Over time, these complex machines have become smaller, more affordable and increasingly popular. However, they still can take a sizeable chunk out of any shop’s pocketbook. What if…
January 26, 2010
In the past, machine building followed the old ready, aim, fire scenario. Now it's more like ready, aim—listen, discuss, collaborate—fire. However, the only catch is this newer more cooperative method must be done faster than the old way. For instance, there are only so many hands in two-man shops such…
January 21, 2010
Companies that implement the principles of lean manufacturing are often described as being on a journey—a journey that has a definite direction, but not a distinct endpoint. Everyone at Climax Portable Machine Tools in Newberg, Oregon, would probably agree with this description. They've been on a "lean journey" since 2006.…
January 01, 2010
Heat treatment via grinding Mori Seiki and Tyrolit are developing Grind Hardening to heat treat parts via grinding with special wheels. Mori Seiki is working to commercialize the technology and reviewing applications for beta-testing sites. Parts manufacturers have identified the elimination of heat treatment as the single greatest opportunity for…
December 01, 2009
The number of shops that have caught on to the benefits of 5-axis machine tools has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Still, there are many shops that, for the first time, are adopting 5-axis machining, and for them, choosing a machine can be a daunting prospect –…
October 01, 2009
Straitline Components is “obsessed” with doing everything itself, and from day one, the shop vowed not to ship any production offshore. That’s quite an uphill course to take considering that it manufactures aftermarket mountain bike components, an industry where 98 percent of part production is typically done offshore. Surprisingly though,…
September 01, 2009
Gregory Hyatt is vice president and chief technical officer for Mori Seiki USA Inc. (Rolling Meadows, IL), a developer and builder of machine tools and machine controls. Manufacturing Engineering: How critical is software to machine tool users today? Gregory Hyatt: I would say it's very critical, but it's rather application…
July 01, 2009
For Mori Seiki (http://www.moriseiki.com), orders for machine tools have fallen off slightly since 2007, but the company is optimistic and preparing for the economic upswing it predicts will happen sometime around mid 2010. “Now is a very good time for us to think about the future and to invest in…
July 01, 2009
When I was 16, my father managed his family-owned company that manufactured cloth-cutting machines used in the garment industry. I hated the four-day a week, 100-mile commute to New York City. But I sure loved running that Bridge mill the machine shop. Even today, "cycle start" gets my adrenaline flowing…
July 01, 2009
In May 2009, Mori Seiki hosted a grand opening celebration of its new Digital Technology Laboratory (DTL) facility in Davis, California. The building and the organization within reflect significant trends of the future—environmental concerns, global integration, rapid product development and an emphasis on computer software—that this company is following. Since…
