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More from Joe Thompson
A tale of two materials
- By Joe Thompson
- Nov 30, 2018
- Metalworking
- Article
While most machinists admit that hard materials, such as those 60 HRC and higher, are difficult to machine, other factors also make material hard to cut.
Women can fix the skilled-trades gap
- By Joe Thompson
- Nov 1, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
If you take a look at the shop floor of a typical Canadian manufacturing company, you will see many similarities. Machines are likely grouped together in a fashion designed to save space and promote smooth work flow; material is placed on racking or bundled neatly on the floor; and somebody...
The future of control technology is here
- By Joe Thompson
- Oct 30, 2018
- Metalworking
- Article
New control technology makes cutting more accurate and shops more productive by eliminating sources of waste.
Form a digital manufacturing strategy before it’s too late
- By Joe Thompson
- Oct 1, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
As manufacturing shops evolve, it’s often the implementation of new technology that leads the change. Manual machining was, for the most part, replaced by CNC machining, which is now evolving into highly automated CNC machining. It’s a natural progression for most shops. And now, thanks to...
Identifying tool wear
- By Joe Thompson
- Sep 25, 2018
- Cutting Tools
- Article
Keeping any type of tool wear to a minimum first requires selecting the proper insert for the machining job at hand.
Industry 4.0: Ignore the hyperbole, believe the hype
- By Joe Thompson
- Sep 20, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
In the late 1800s noted promoter P.T. Barnum used every means at his disposal to get his message across. Advertising, self-promotion, and blatant lying were all part of Barnum’s bag of tricks. So too were misdirection, exaggeration, and bloviation. At the end of the day, it was all about the...
3M Canada helps New Flyer improve manufacturing safety
- By Joe Thompson
- Sep 14, 2018
- Management
- Article
Employees on the shop floor are the best sources of information for addressing safety gaps.
Understanding enterprise resources planning software
- By Joe Thompson
- Sep 13, 2018
- Automation and Software
- Article
Manufacturers must maintain flexibility to change capacity requirements while operating effective, continuous replenishment systems.
Canadian machine tool builder uses Old World craftsmanship to create new technology
- By Joe Thompson
- Sep 6, 2018
- Made In Canada
- Article
Racer Machinery International's continual improvement and minimizing waste efforts positively affects the quality of the builds and reduces price.
What makes a skilled-trades worker skilled?
- By Joe Thompson
- Aug 14, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
A cool spring day in a Hamilton, Ont., courthouse was the setting that brought together skilled tradespeople, labourers, and factory owners who all were there to discuss the ongoing unrest in the local manufacturing scene. The topic, as told by the Hamilton Herald, was the payment for work being...
Choose your leadership wisely
- By Joe Thompson
- Jul 5, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
In the year 44 BC, the senators of ancient Rome decided they wanted a leadership change and took a stab at making it themselves … literally. On that fateful day in mid-March they got a new boss after putting 23 holes in Julius Caesar. History lesson aside, leadership matters. Especially now. As...
Hey, Canada: It’s time to innovate, educate, automate
- By Joe Thompson
- Jun 7, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
In May Montreal hosted the Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS), a biennial event held at the city’s Place Bonaventure. This show is placed in one of the country’s booming manufacturing regions and attracts a who’s who from the local aerospace industry. In fact, it’s a popular...
Manufacturing superclusters can combat industry shortcomings
- By Joe Thompson
- May 11, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
Coffee is the reason I get out of bed in the morning. Not money or a good work ethic or boredom. Coffee. Each day starts with the same routine: I stumble down the stairs to meet the day, stop for a cup of brain juice, and then, and only then, start working. The problem facing all coffee drinkers,...
Technology Spotlight: Production drill grinder
- By Joe Thompson
- Apr 24, 2018
- Metalworking
- Article
Drill grinder has full CNC grinding and dressing capabilities, and flute shape can to be adjusted by the CNC and form dressed on the machine.
Improve first aid offering with mental health awareness
- By Joe Thompson
- Apr 9, 2018
- Management
- Blog Post
Every shop worker knows the importance of active first aid, whether it’s triage and treatment after a cut, burn, or trip to the eyewash station, or simply being told to take a short break on a hot, humid day. These actions maintain worker health over the long term and protect them in the short...
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