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Seven Qualities that Produce Star Performers
Is productivity destined to be the domain of a few or is possible that star performance can be achieved by looking beyond the right skill sets? It may take a combination of job competencies and certain personal qualities to drive top performance. Here’s why.
The 14 Points of Workplace Safety
By merging the engineering discipline, process control and business acumen of W. Edwards Deming to the practical world of employee protection, Phil La Duke of Rockford Greene International introduces some profound principles of worker safety that are an absolute must for manufacturers.
Tips for Successful Laser Marking in Job Shops
As more job shops invest in this technology to meet customer demands, many discover that the learning curve leaves them wondering where to begin. Brian Litherland of TRUMPF shares some simple insights that will save them time, money and increase their productivity on the laser.
How to Determine the Diffusible Hydrogen of Mild Steel Weld Filler Material
To avoid hydrogen-induced cracking, the hydrogen level in the welding filler material must be restricted to a certain maximum level. What exactly is the method for measuring the hydrogen content of a carbon steel weld filler material?
Call Waiting? Not For Long
Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains why the great news for every job shop and captive department is that communication between the machine and the plant network is faster today than ever before.
In Memoriam
As the excitement, wonder and awe of the IMTS 2012 event showcases the latest advances in metalworking technology, it is with a heavy heart that Mike Riley pauses to share the sad news of the passing of a great man.
3D Lasers and Their General Application
The many applications of 3D laser processing systems make them a useful and economical tool for manufacturers everywhere. In this primer, Frank Geyer of TRUMPF not only examines their capabilities and limitations, but shares some useful tips for challenging applications and reviews some opportunities that you may not be familiar with.
Requesting the Appropriate Level of Weld Testing for Special Order Filler Materials
Welding filler metal certification, documentation and accountability is frequently a step of the nuclear pressure vessel fabrication and military shipbuilding process. Regis Geisler of Lincoln Electric explains how to select the appropriate weld testing requirements to verify quality and attest that the products being supplied meet the constituents of the required specification.
Turn-Mill or Mill-Turn… One Screen Can Say It All!
Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how innovative CNC technology can now operate sophisticated multi-task machine tools with seamless transitions from mill to turn or turn to mill or both; identical look-and-feel to screens, too!
Automation: Press Brakes and Robots
Still reluctant to automate your press brakes? Here are some reasons why it is time to rethink this while you still can, because the latest robotic automation has proven it can reduce your part costs and level the playing field with foreign competition.
Our Biggest Constraint: How We Think
You buy the same equipment as your competitors. You hire from the same labor pool. The only difference is how you think. Unfortunately, you and your competitors also think the same way. So you are left to compete in a market where, from your customers’ perspective, you’re all the same. So they make decisions mostly based on price. Dr. Lisa Lang of the Science of Business explain some of the common ways our thinking goes wrong and the negative effect this wrong thinking can have on your business.
Seven Ways Supervisors Can Throw a Business Under the Bus… And Not Even Know It
Kevin Ring of Institute of WorkComp Professionals explains why supervisors must respect the role of HR, carefully convey it to employees and be trained on their role relative to HR to handle all legal and personnel issues appropriately.