Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.
Facing increasing competition from lower-cost imports, Suburban Tool made a move toward large-scale, in-house machining. By identifying a niche in large, precision angle plates and tombstones, the company has strengthened its ability to control quality and protect its reputation. metal forming
Soraluce’s wide range of machine heads and the ability to have multiple heads on a single machine (with automatic changing stations) provides flexibility and reduced setups for large-format machining.
Xcelicut is a startup shop that has grown thanks to the right machines, cutting tools, grants and other resources.
Moving from an aging set of five-axis mills to more advanced machines enabled Hendrick Motorsports to dramatically improve its engine production.
Custom workholding enabled Resolve Surgical Technologies to place all sizes of one trauma part onto a single machine — and cut days from the setup times.
Facing increasing competition from lower-cost imports, Suburban Tool made a move toward large-scale, in-house machining. By identifying a niche in large, precision angle plates and tombstones, the company has strengthened its ability to control quality and protect its reputation.
Xcelicut is a startup shop that has grown thanks to the right machines, cutting tools, grants and other resources.
Custom workholding enabled Resolve Surgical Technologies to place all sizes of one trauma part onto a single machine — and cut days from the setup times.
Ceratizit USA has promoted Troy Wilt from national sales manager to managing director of Ceratizit USA, cutting tools division.
The Modern Machine Shop editorial team highlights their takeaways from IMTS 2024 in a video recap.
Thoughtful considerations will set you on a shortened path to the most optimized solution once cutter meets metal.
Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.
OnLogic is partnering with AI development and implementation specialists to help companies use AI-powered solutions, aiming to drive real business value.
Even before inspection, Datanomix and Caron Engineering’s TMAC AI can extrapolate part quality from cut information. This information also helps shops push their tool life to its limits.
ModuleWorks and Toolpath announce a technology partnership that intends to utilize intelligent cloud-based manufacturing solutions for machining estimation and CAM automation.
Coordinate systems tell a CNC machine where to position the cutting tool during the program’s execution for any purpose that requires the cutting tool to move.
Moving from an aging set of five-axis mills to more advanced machines enabled Hendrick Motorsports to dramatically improve its engine production.
Determining the shape of a workpiece is required in many manufacturing processes. Keep in mind these important points to ensure that you master the process.
Differential gaging measures using two devices, which has advantages over standard, comparative measurements using a single sensing head. These include the ability to measure size without regard to position.
Heidenhain and Acu-Rite Solutions are offering several hands-on experiences at their booth this year, as well as internal components that reduce energy use.
Q-Mark has built its metrology business by providing what customers need, when they want it. This goes for its IMTS booth, too, with free drinks alongside custom technology.
Though most frequently used for diameter measurements, an air plug and platen can be readily configured to measure perpendicularity.
Standards for surface finishes and profiles are not static; they change as technology changes or new processes come along that need to be considered.
Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.
By equipping MassRobotics with its advanced cobots, ABB aims to facilitate the creation of new and impactful solutions that address real-world challenges across various industries.
At Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, researchers use a robotic test bed where AMRs deliver Lego bricks to robot arms for assembly to study AI, multirobot collaboration, assembly, safety and more.
ModuleWorks and Toolpath announce a technology partnership that intends to utilize intelligent cloud-based manufacturing solutions for machining estimation and CAM automation.
At Mill 19, the site of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute and Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, robotics data provides the foundation for AI and digital twins.
The Modern Machine Shop editorial team highlights their takeaways from IMTS 2024 in a video recap.
The Modern Machine Shop editorial team highlights their takeaways from IMTS 2024 in a video recap.
IMTS only happens every two years. Here’s how to make the most of your time at the 2024 show.
Across a range of technical presentations aimed at small and mid-sized job shops, the first-ever Automated Shop Conference (TASC) offered insights into several automated technologies, implementation strategies, shopfloor training tips, and even the untapped power of automated coolant delivery.
Automation is no longer a luxury in manufacturing today – it’s a necessity. The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect job shops with experts who offer advice and considerations for this process.
The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will give shops of all sizes and production volumes key insights and practical guidance on how to implement automation.
Looking to automate your shop floor? The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect shops with experts who can advise them through this transition.
New tech center is serving as a cutting-edge showroom and a technological hub for advanced machining applications.
New U.S.-based event announced in 2021 finally debuts next year: focuses on complete additive manufacturing value chain. More at formnextchicago.com.
Chiron Group combines the best of both worlds at IMTS 2024, featuring live demonstrations of their Micro5 and Mill 2000 machines, alongside a cutting-edge virtual showroom. This innovative approach allows visitors to explore Chiron’s full product lineup without the logistical challenges of transporting large equipment.
Half of the 16 machines in the company’s booth are world or North American debuts.
Learn more about the variety of technology and machinery Hwacheon Machinery America, Inc. is featuring at its IMTS 2024 booth.
FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.
Coolant care can be simply managed if you know where to pay attention and which hazards to look out for.
A little ingenuity goes a long way toward improving machine utilization.
Determining the shape of a workpiece is required in many manufacturing processes. Keep in mind these important points to ensure that you master the process.
Coordinate systems tell a CNC machine where to position the cutting tool during the program’s execution for any purpose that requires the cutting tool to move.
Grant funding for workforce training or the purchase of new equipment is an undervalued but complex resource for machine shops. We enlisted an expert to help navigate the process.
Differential gaging measures using two devices, which has advantages over standard, comparative measurements using a single sensing head. These include the ability to measure size without regard to position.
Take a tour of Machineosaurus, a Massachusetts machine shop where every CNC machine is named after a dinosaur!
Lee Wimmer invited us to tour his second-generation family-owned machine shop in Perkasie, PA. This video explores the production processes behind precision-machined parts for both Wimmer Custom Cycle and LS Wimmer Machine Co., and shows how ingenuity and determination are still at the heart of American manufacturing. Today, both companies are now managed by Wimmer’s three sons.
AccuRounds has created synergy between culture and technology, driving a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
In the latest episode of our View From My Shop series, MMS Editor-in-Chief Brent Donaldson visited the JN Shapiro Watches headquarters and production facility where Founder Joshua Shapiro—a history teacher turned watchmaker—realized his dream of "making a watch from scratch and everything in it."
Legacy Precision Molds takes us on a tour of their moldbuilding facility. They've recently implemented two automated 5-axis cells for metal and graphite machining that run lights out during nights and weekends.
Take a look inside James Engineering, a high-end CNC Deburring OEM that became a job shop when they decided to produce their own parts in-house.
In this episode of Made in the USA, several executives and senior staff at Hardinge give their first-person account of how they formulated the plan to shift the manufacturing of its milling and turning product lines from its Taiwan plant to its plant in Elmira, New York, the major challenges they encountered and the rewards that made it worth the effort.
The L.S. Starrett Co. has been manufacturing precision measurement tools in Athol, Massachusetts, since 1880. Attention to U.S. manufacturing often focuses on reshoring manufacturing from other countries, but Starrett never left. The facility in Athol employs hundreds and produces thousands of tools that remain vital for measurement in machining and other fields.
The latest episode “Made in the USA” podcast explores a company that uses collaborative robots, one of the key tools helping US machine shops and other manufacturers compete with lower cost countries by automating production.
When Puneet and Neelam Neotia moved from India to the United States several years ago, they brought with them a family background in manufacturing and CNC machining. Now the couple is working to get their startup machine shop off the ground, sourcing new customers and getting the word out about their shop in Clarksville, Indiana. The couple — proud to publicize their "Made in the USA" parts — is leveraging family connections and manufacturing capabilities back in India, but not in the way that some people assume.
Entrepreneur Scott Colosimo found early success in China producing parts for his Cleveland-based motorcycle company in the mid-2000s. This is the story of how IP theft issues overwhelmed the business, prompting Colosimo and his team to start over from scratch — and move production back to the United States.
So far, Made in the USA has looked into system-wide effects of broken supply chains, automation, skilled workforce issues and our perception of manufacturing jobs — examining each topic through a prism of individual experiences. For this final episode for Season 1, let’s look at one more system-wide question and bring it back to personal perspectives: Is there today a new dawn, a new moment for American manufacturing?
Working closely with customers and making careful investments has enabled this Wisconsin machine shop to tackle difficult jobs with tight deadlines as a core part of its business.
Part of Major Tool’s 52,000 square-foot building expansion includes the installation of this new Waldrich Coburg Taurus 30 vertical machining center.
JD Machine, 2024’s Top Shops Honoree in Human Resources, embodies its “Education for Life” core value with a robust apprenticeship program and significant continuous improvement efforts.
Ever wonder what sets Top Shops apart from the competition? Dive into their award-winning practices and explore behind-the-scenes strategies for operational excellence.
SSP’s commitment to adopting the latest machining technology benefits not only the business, but its employees as well.
Job shops are implementing automation and digitalization into workflows to eliminate set up time and increase repeatability in production.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Take a tour of Machineosaurus, a Massachusetts machine shop where every CNC machine is named after a dinosaur!
Lee Wimmer invited us to tour his second-generation family-owned machine shop in Perkasie, PA. This video explores the production processes behind precision-machined parts for both Wimmer Custom Cycle and LS Wimmer Machine Co., and shows how ingenuity and determination are still at the heart of American manufacturing. Today, both companies are now managed by Wimmer’s three sons.
AccuRounds has created synergy between culture and technology, driving a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
In the latest episode of our View From My Shop series, MMS Editor-in-Chief Brent Donaldson visited the JN Shapiro Watches headquarters and production facility where Founder Joshua Shapiro—a history teacher turned watchmaker—realized his dream of "making a watch from scratch and everything in it."
Legacy Precision Molds takes us on a tour of their moldbuilding facility. They've recently implemented two automated 5-axis cells for metal and graphite machining that run lights out during nights and weekends.
Take a look inside James Engineering, a high-end CNC Deburring OEM that became a job shop when they decided to produce their own parts in-house.
CloudNC introduces the resource-efficient Cycle Time Estimator function for its AI-powered CAM Assist solution, available for Mastercam, Autodesk Fusion and Siemens NX CAM users.
Motul announces it has acquired Chem Arrow Corp., aiming to expand the global presence and growth in lubricants for metal parts manufacturing.
SmartBox 2.0 integrates advanced communication protocols and edge computing for enhanced productivity and security, ensuring safe data export from machines to factory networks.
OnLogic is partnering with AI development and implementation specialists to help companies use AI-powered solutions, aiming to drive real business value.
MachineMetrics uses data synchronization and real-time monitoring of production to help keep schedules current and to reflect actual shopfloor conditions.
By equipping MassRobotics with its advanced cobots, ABB aims to facilitate the creation of new and impactful solutions that address real-world challenges across various industries.
As the demand for faster production cycles continues to grow, the ability to produce high-quality parts quickly and efficiently has become increasingly important. High-speed 3D printing has emerged as a key solution to reduce lead times and increase productivity across industries. However, like any advanced technology, it comes with its own set of challenges. In this webinar, Forward AM will explore both the opportunities and hurdles of adopting high-speed printing with a particular focus on overcoming those challenges. It’ll start by discussing the fundamentals of high-speed 3D printing and how it differs from conventional 3D printing methods. It’ll then move on to the key factors that influence successful implementation, including the impact of materials, equipment and design considerations. One of the main hurdles in high-speed 3D printing is ensuring the right balance between speed and part quality. Different materials behave differently under high-speed conditions — and not all equipment is optimized for this process. Forward AM will showcase some validated materials and equipment that are proven to perform well under these conditions. In addition, the presenters will look at real-world examples and applications where high-speed 3D printing has been successfully implemented, highlighting the collaboration between designers, engineers and manufacturers. By the end of this webinar, you'll not only have a clearer understanding of high-speed 3D printing with FFF but also the practical steps and considerations needed to make the most of this cutting-edge technology. Agenda: Introduction The power of high-speed printing Know the process The practical side
The tool crib is the backbone of any machine shop — without the right tools, nothing moves forward. While most ERP systems overlook the tool crib, ProShop integrates it seamlessly with CNC programming, job planning, scheduling and more. Join this webinar for an exclusive look at how Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions leverages ProShop to document tool requirements, sync tool demand from CAM software and efficiently manage the tool crib and work instructions. Discover how ProShop transforms the tooling workflow to maximize efficiency and precision.
AI technology isn’t just a concept for the future—it’s here now, ready to transform your estimating process with the new AI BOM builder in JobBOSS². In this first-launch webinar, discover how AI can revolutionize bill of materials (BOM) entry in your shop, saving time, reducing errors and boosting efficiency. In this session, ECI will review how to use AI to build BOMs through a powerful feature that automates the extraction and input of BOM data from PDFs, Excel spreadsheets and images, all within JobBOSS². You'll have the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of the AI BOM builder in action — showcasing its ability to reduce BOM entry time from hours to mere minutes — thereby allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks. Additionally, you will learn about the real-world benefits of AI-driven BOM entry, including the minimization of manual errors, enhanced accuracy, and streamlined estimating processes — all of which can provide your shop with an immediate competitive edge. Finally, there will be a Q&A session with experts, giving you the chance to ask questions and find out how to integrate AI effectively. Agenda: Experience AI in action in a real-world manufacturing setting Discover how the AI BOM builder can immediately impact your shop’s efficiency and productivity Get hands-on insights on implementing AI to streamline your operations
In this webinar, director of manufacturing Phil Linscheid will discuss how Hamilton Company has transformed its manufacturing operations with real-time production data. Learn how Phil and his team have increased throughput five times since 2017, while simultaneously improving production efficiency. Phil will share his journey over the past few years making strategic decisions to grow the machine shop’s impact as well as how his team uses MachineMetrics to improve production visibility, automate cycle time tracking, increase machine uptime and enable accurate quoting and planning. Agenda: Enabling production visibility in Nevada’s largest machine shop Improving quoting, planning and scheduling with accurate cycle times The importance of integrating shop floor data with operational systems
No matter what your workholding application, automation always makes sense. Kurt Workholding helps you pick the right tool for the automation job — whether it be a single-vise setup or multiple vises holding large work pieces. This webinar will cover automation solutions using pneumatic, hydraulic and electronic actuation. Agenda: Most common types of vise automation solutions How to pick the right type of automation for an application Key differences between custom workholding and off-the-shelf automation solutions
Rob Guiao, Chris Hall and Bassanio Peters will demonstrate relatable situations to equip you with data to improve predictability, future-proof operations and maximize ROI. Agenda: Explore the importance of data in decision-making, especially for facility upgrades or new projects Learn how comprehensive solutions for manufacturing and construction projects can improve predictability and ROI See real demonstrations of machine integrations, facility layouts and automations to ensure proper throughput and integration
The MFG Meeting brings together manufacturing technology industry leaders to address key business challenges and provide actionable solutions. Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including workforce, economics, supply chain, leadership, politics, and more. This unique meeting experience provides unparalleled opportunities to network with executives from companies that make, sell, service, and support MT. These peers and competitors will learn from each other, build long-lasting connections, and share insights that will benefit their business.
Each year Products Finishing partners with thousands of finishing operations in the U.S. to celebrate National Surface Finishing Day (NSFD) on the first Wednesday in March. NSFD is designed to celebrate and showcase the industry to trade schools, businesses, officials and media, as well as to celebrate employees and staff. The overarching goal of NSFD is to bring further awareness to the important roles plating and coating facilities play in their communities. Facilities are encouraged to host events and work with local media to build awareness about the contributions made by the surface finishing industry. For a helpful guide to reaching out to media outlets, download the NSFD toolkit here. How can you celebrate? Share your company’s story Hold an open house where the public can check out your facility –— either in person or virtual Offer student shop tours to local trade schools Invite local elected officials to visit and get to know your staff Celebrate your employees Share news about what you’re doing on social media and use the hashtag #NationalSurfaceFinishingDay or #NSFD
PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.
The goal of National Composites Week is to celebrate and bring attention to the myriad ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contributes to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today. Learn how you can participate in this year's National Composites Week on NationalCompositesWeek.com.
Coolant care can be simply managed if you know where to pay attention and which hazards to look out for.
Thoughtful considerations will set you on a shortened path to the most optimized solution once cutter meets metal.
When it comes to utilizing the spindle’s power, there is a lot of headroom at the upper limits, provided it’s in short bursts. Be mindful of your time at these loads so you don’t stall out.
Each tool setting technique has merit, and it depends on where you are as a shop and the type of work you do, as cost and efficiency all come into play.
When revising part designs, investigate the 3D CAD, the 2D drawing and the part’s functional requirements to determine which details should be tightened up.
The choice between buying a new machine or refurbishing the current one will become clear after a thorough assessment of the machine.
Take a tour of Machineosaurus, a Massachusetts machine shop where every CNC machine is named after a dinosaur!
Take a tour of Machineosaurus, a Massachusetts-based machine shop where every CNC machine has its own dinosaur name! Join Matt and Leigh Ann Boucher as they walk you through their shop’s lineup of CNC mills and lathes, from Allosaurus to Triceratops. Machineosaurus specializes in prototyping, production, repair, and assembly of CNC machined parts and offers a unique twist with its four-day workweek aimed at boosting productivity and work-life balance. Get insights into their production process, quality control, and their upcoming 5S project.
Matt: Hi, I'm Matt Boucher and along with my wife Leigh Ann and our dog Mookie, here, we own the Machineosaurus Manufacturing Company. We're a small machine shop in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, primarily doing job shop work. We have been working to grow the production side of our business, but primarily we're doing job shop work today. We've got seven employees in the back, and we'll be showing you the shop here in a minute. We've got six CNC mills and one CNC lathe and a whole bunch of manual equipment back there.
We're excited to show you what we've got here today. Today is actually Thursday, and we work a four day workweek here at Machineosaurus, which means that today is our Friday. We work 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., something that the team loves. It's something that we love as business owners because we can spend our Fridays working on our business rather than in our business, and it's something that has actually increased our productivity.
We have six CNC mills. Five of them are three axis machines. One of them is a four axis machine. And one of the things we've done to organize our business is we numbered the machines, but we've also named the machines after dinosaurs. So if you take a look around here at our VF0, this is machine number one. And it is the first machine that this company bought, and this is the Allosaurus. And it is towards the end of the day so we're starting to shut the machines down but of course we have machines running still at the same time.
This is our VF2 machine. This is where we're running one of our production jobs.We're making heatsinks for a customer and this is the T-Rex. And you can see that the T-Rex is doing a good job of making some teeth.
Walking it to our manual machining area. This is also where we keep a lot of our test equipment and other items that we need to use for the business, collets and things like that. We have three manual lathes in this area, and then we have three knee mills in this area. We love our manual machines. We use the CNCs these mostly, but you know, some days there's just no substitute for that manual machine.
Have fun at the Rolling Stones.
Povel: Yeah, the Stones. You know, Mick Jagger is living forever.
Matt: Are you older or younger than Mick Jagger?
Povel: We are about the same age.
Matt: You're about the same age. Can you dance the same way?
Matt: Hey, this is Povel. Povel is one of our senior machinists here. A brilliant, brilliant machinist. If you need somebody to make a complex part and figure out how to make it, this is your guy.
Povel: It depends on the time of the day, though.
Matt: Coming into this area, we've got our VF1, Megalosaurus. There's a tent around this machine because we were actually working with syntactic foam, and it gets a little bit dusty. And so we put up this tent, and we have one of those, like, sawdust catcher ventilator things like you get for, a workshop. We do that to keep the dust from getting everywhere else in the shop. This is another VF-0E. I don't even know how to say this. This is parasaurolophus.
Matt: That's our son, Phil, he works in the shop.
Phil: That’s an 0e, this is an 0.
Matt: And you can look at the chips in there. You can see we're doing a lot of stainless steel today, so we're having fun cutting stainless steel today. Or, you know, as the guys will tell you, not so much fun.
Moving into our second bay, we love our Cosen auto saw. This is such a time saver for us as we're setting up jobs. We can program this machine, and we can walk away. And it will cut parts to length for us so that we can get them set up to go in the machines.
Coming over here, we've got our CNC lathe. I love the lathe. It makes parts so fast. This is Iguanodon and we are right now making these things which, you know, are pretty cool. That's stainless steel.
We have two VF-4s in this room. The VF-4s are nice because we can do big plate work on them. We've got a work envelope of 50in by 20in on these. And, we love doing plate work here at Machineosaurus. It's a lot of fun for our team. We've got, this VF-4, which is the Ankylosaurus, and you can see Cody working on a part in there right now. Smile pretty for the camera, Cody.
Cody: My smile is ugly.
Matt: And then we've got Triceratops, my personal favorite dinosaur. And the Triceratops is also in use right now. We've got a first article inspection going on right here. So that's why it's not running at the minute. But as soon as we proven out that we're happy with the part, we'll start running them, and then we'll run and process inspections on those parts as we go.
We want to show you some of our quality equipment. And so you can see we've got our optical comparator right here. We actually have height gauges throughout the shop. We've got our engineering station here where we do, a lot of our programing for more complex parts. Quite a few of our team can program manually as well. So depending on the part, we might just write a simple program right at the machine. Or we'll come over here, get into fusion 360, and we'll go ahead and make, you know, a more complex program for a more complex part.
One of the things we're super proud of here at Machineosaurus, and one of the things we did right away when we bought the business about a year, year and a half ago was establish our core values. And the core values are pretty simple, but they guide us and everything we do here as we work to grow and build this business from a smaller, almost sole proprietorship business into something now with seven employees and, you know, quite a bit more volume going through it.
Now, one of the things we're about to kick off is a 5S project. We've actually, aligned with the Massachusetts Manufacturing and Engineering Partnership, and they're going to help us with that with some grant money and some training. And for, you know, other machine shops, I would encourage you to take advantage of your MEPs in your state. It's a federally funded program designed to foster growth and innovation in smaller manufacturing companies.
So if you look around here, we got a big brand new shelf that we bought. This is going to be going over to the other side of the shop where we're making some room. And this is going to be used to hold all of our fixtures. We just got it put together. And part of the 5S project is making a home for everything. And so that's going to be the home for all of our fixtures.
I do want to show you my very favorite machine in the shop. And it's not a super exciting machine. And a lot of you probably have one. But it is our Mr. Debur tumbler. And the thing I love about a tumbler is when I hear this thing running, I know that we're about to ship parts. And in the machine shop business, you know, we always talk about making chips, but I really like to focus on making ships. And when we ship apart, we get to bill a customer for a part. And, you know, eventually we get paid for that part. And that is a great feeling when I hear that machine running, I love it when I hear it running all day. That means we're going to have a really good day.
We've also got some other equipment down here. We have our surface grinder. We use this primarily for adjusting tools and end mills and things like that. We do we do a little bit of work on it, but we don't do that much surface grinding work. we've got a cold saw here for things that just don't make sense on that auto saw. For example, we do work with some thin walled pipe and the jaws on that saw will crush that pipe. We got a visitor in the shop today. There he is. He's come, come out. Wanted to say hi to everybody. Again that's Mookie. He's the shop mascot. And he's excited to be here today too.
Matt: I thought one last interesting way to look at our shop would be to think about how a part moves through our shop, because it can be different how it moves through other shops. Now, this is a, the old, sample part that Xometry used to have its partners make. And, so I just use that because it's, it's something that's out in the public domain and isn't anybody's, you know, proprietary information. But, you know, what'll typically happen is, is we'll get, a customer will email us a part, and we'll use Paperless Parts to go ahead and build our quote. assuming they like what we have to say about that, we’ll then, you know, take that part and enter it into our ERP system.
We use StartProto as an ERP system. And from there we will then be able to create the routing and the work order and and everything sort of flows from there. So this is what one of our work order packets looks like. You can see that we've got a work order in here. We have the print. So the prints in there, once we have the print, we have our, our inspection reports. We're actually about to move our inspection reports into the ERP system, but for now, they are still paper based.
We then tie these back to everything associated with that work order. This part would then go to programing. I actually printed out the program in here. I wont to show it to you. but that's why this is so thick, is we do have the program. And the first page of the program, which we do print out for everybody has the job setup instructions. So it'll tell our team how many operations they're going to be running. It will tell our team, what tools to put in if they need work holding, etc. and once we have that, we'll go ahead and we'll get the the material ordered. Material for us on average comes in in a day or two. If it's something a little more unique or exotic, it might or something that needs to be cut. It might take a little longer than that, but usually no more than a week. And, once we get that, we get it on the schedule and off we go.
Brent: Hey Everybody, Brent Donaldson with Modern Machine Shop here. And if you just watched that video and you're thinking, boy, I'd like my shop to be featured in The View From My Shop Series, then just send us an email at ShopVideo@MMSOnline.com and tell us what sets your shop apart.
At just 28 years old, Amy Skrzypczak is already logging her ninth year as a CNC machinist. While during high school Skrzypczak may not have guessed that she’d soon be running an electrical discharge machining (EDM) department, after attending her local community college she found a home among the “misfits” at Westminster Tool. Today, she oversees the company’s wire EDM operations and feels grateful to have avoided more well-worn career paths.
To combat the skilled labor shortage, this Top Shops honoree turned to partnerships and unique benefits to attract talented workers.
Job interviews are a two-way street. Follow these tips to make a good impression on your potential future workforce.
Universal machines were the main draw of Grob’s 5-Axis Live — though the company’s apprenticeship and support proved equally impressive.
The Modern Machine Shop editorial team highlights their takeaways from IMTS 2024 in a video recap.
Job shops are implementing automation and digitalization into workflows to eliminate set up time and increase repeatability in production.
Take a tour of Machineosaurus, a Massachusetts machine shop where every CNC machine is named after a dinosaur!
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