VIP, March 2007

March 14, 2007

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Machining Automotives

Titanium Use on the Rise The need to meet the conflicting goals of higher mileage, lower emissions, and improved safety has caused automobile manufacturers to increase their application of lightweight materials, one of which is titanium. The material provides performance characteristics in the automotive environment that, in most instances, are unmatched by other metals. Spindle Contamination An automotive plants solution to a spindle-contamination problem could also work for you. The plant retrofitted special seals to its spindles. On-command Fasteners A line of intelligent fasteners that assemble and disassemble on command could change how automotive and other industry products are designed, assembled and serviced. The fasteners function using embedded microchips. Robot Maker Keeps Automotive Shops Lean A robot manufacturers proprietary automotive-bodyshop software, which stores and transfers huge amounts of vehicle-manufacturing data and information, helps standardize automotive manufacturing operations. The software is part of a body-in-white system made up of several automated cells, including a robotic hemming cell. Tough Cutting Tools Advanced tool geometries, premium carbide and the latest in PVD coating technology tackle demanding applications in the automotive industry. Swiss-type Turning for Automotive Work Easy part handling makes machines well-suited for producing simple high-volume parts. Measure the Big Stuff Need to measure mid to large-size automotive body assemblies and subassemblies right on the shop floor? This CMM can do it. FEATURED ADVERTISER JobBOSS

Exact JobBOSS is an effective and affordable software system for job shops / custom manufacturers. It provides them with the flexibility they need to respond to the day-in and day-out changes to schedule dates, quantities and part specifications. And the visibility and control they need to compete and win! Learn more about JobBOSS with one click. Or call 1-800-777-4334 to talk with one of our job shop experts.

Upcoming Webcast Series

The CNC Best Kept Secrets Series of educational webcasts from GE Fanuc and American Machinist is designed to educate manufacturers on the often overlooked ways to prevent downtime, enhance the speed of machine tools, and improve part quality.

• Best Kept Secrets of Minimizing Machine Downtime -- April 11, 2007 2:00 PM ET
• Best Kept Secrets to Reduce Cycle Time -- June 13, 2007 2:00 PM ET
• Best Kept Secrets to Improving Part Quality -- September 12, 2007 2:00 PM ET

Click here for more information. FEATURED ADVERTISER Makino

Makino— a leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical machining centers and EDM machines — has announced a new series of online Webinars. Designed for shops of all types and sizes, the seminars are free to anyone who registers. The planned seminars are intended for shops in the automotive, aerospace, medical product and die and mold industries. In addition to metal cutting and die/mold, the seminars will cover new technologies, such as micromachining. Mark Rentschler, marketing manager, says, "Online seminars allow anyone with an Internet connection to attend without losing a day of work." The seminars concentrate on shop efficiency, lean manufacturing, asset utilization, machine tool integration and automation, machine tool technologies, and metal cutting processes. Makino's application engineers, product managers and guest speakers will give presentations. Click here for more info on upcoming seminars and registration information.

Practical Machinist Metalworking Forum

Business startup considerations "I'm thinking I will need insurance, alarm system install, office gear. What else should one consider when making this transition?" Extending the shaft of a motor "I have a Rockwell vertical mill that I'm restoring. The one major missing piece is the motor." Home shop machine oddities of the past "I was rumaging thru some old brochures and ran across this from the 1950s." (photos)

American Machinist's Machine Shop Workshop

Use Data. Get more competitive. Increase profit. Machine shop managers will learn a systematic approach to improve operations by using AM′s benchmarking tools for Operations, Customer Satisfaction, Finance and Human Resources. Attendees leave with a plan to achieve continuous improvement, and a differentiating business strategy. Don′t miss this opportunity to improve your business. Held in Cleveland, November 7-9, 2007 at the Marriott at Key Center. Click here to register.

Case Study

Toolmaker Slashes Delivery Times by Going Lean EIMO Americas has been utilizing Lean Manufacturing practices to streamline processes from quoting to delivery, standardizing on the Cimatron software to support these processes throughout its tooling operations.Read more.

Event

Webcast: What's ahead for US Manufacturing? Speaker: Alan Beaulieu, Institute for Trend Research Date: March 21 Time: 11:00 AM EST Sponsored By Automation Direct

• Overall Manufacturing Trends and Forecast.
• Short-term and long-term manufacturing economic forecasts (U.S. and/or abroad).
• How will the U.S. be affected by corporate production facilities being moved overseas?

Business leaders need to make timely and effective decisions that enhance profits and market positions. These decisions are made in confidence when they are formulated in the context of thorough, accurate and understandable economic forecasts. You will see and be able to benefit from comprehensive forecasts. Together we will plan effectively for the future, and in doing so be prepared for the dramatic changes to come. We will discuss specific management objectives suited for the next few years, as well as look at the leading indicators you will be using for years to come. Speaker Bio: Alan Beaulieu, a senior analyst, economist and a principal has been with the Institute for Trend Research (ITR) since 1990. Mr. Beaulieu has been consulting and advising companies throughout the US, Europe, and Japan on how to plan for and prosper through the business cycles. Click here to register today.

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