Skip to content

Manufacturing Engineering: February 2021

The February 2021 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Always productive, HMCs—such as this DMG Mori NHX 4000 with a speedMASTER spindle—are now also extremely versatile.

Making HMCs Nimble Enough for Small Jobs

January 14, 2021
Horizontal machine tools (HMCs) have typically been used for longer run production jobs. But as lot sizes decrease, machine builders and their partners have introduced new technologies that speed setups and generally make HMCs nimbler. So much so that one should probably rethink the role HMCs serve.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media
Five-axis machining centers, such as this Okuma MU-5000V-L five-axis VMC, allow shops to machine highly complex workpieces in a single operation, reducing work-in-process while increasing part quality and profitability.

VMCs: How Many Axes Do You Really Need?

January 18, 2021
The three-axis vertical machining center (VMC) has long been the go-to machine tool for many small to medium-sized shops. Their use is well-understood. Compared to more complex machinery, it’s easier to find operators for three-axis machines.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
The iSpeed5 system from NSK is a fully tool-changeable electric spindle that can transform CNC machines into high-speed machining centers.

Fast Times for Machine Spindles

January 20, 2021
Driven spindles are the technical core of a machine tool, supplying the power to turn the cutting tools that shape our products and our world. Attaching one to a five-axis movement creates an advanced CNC machine.
Bruce Morey
By Bruce Morey Senior Technical Editor, SME Media
Manufacturing managers collaborate on the shop floor using tablet-based PTC Windchill PLM visualizations. PLM has become the foundation for digital transformation and digital thread initiatives at companies of all sizes.

Transforming Manufacturing with PLM Tools

January 22, 2021
With product lifecycle management (PLM) software, manufacturers wield powerful tools to manage the massive transformations buffeting their industries.
Pat Waurzyniak
By Patrick Waurzyniak Contributing Editor, SME Media
Unequal flute spacing in OSG’s variable geometry end mill line is designed to reduce vibration during machining by altering the timing of each flute engaging in the workpiece.

Multi-Flute End Mills Produce Thoroughly Modern Milling

January 26, 2021
End mills, traditionally made with two to four flutes, are used in one of the oldest mechanized machining processes—milling.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media

Shop Solutions

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

Up Front

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

SME Speaks

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

Software Update

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

Workforce Pipeline

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.

Viewpoints

  • CNC MACHINING

    Shaping the Next Shift

    Meaghan Ziemba, Contributing Editor February 17, 2026
    Across shops and shipyards, leaders are asked to do more with fewer hands while quality expectations continue to climb. In conversations with leaders at Abagy Robotic Systems, Acieta, Pemamek LLC, Element Six and the American Welding Society (AWS), a consistent theme emerged: The next chapter of welding blends skilled people, disciplined processes and practical technology.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    Meet Mae Krier: An Original Rosie the Riveter

    Steve Plumb February 17, 2026
    When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
  • VIEWPOINTS

    USMCA and the Fight for North America’s Electronics Manufacturing Base

    Chris Mitchell, Vice President of Global Government Relations, Global Electronics Association February 16, 2026
    The United States does not lag the world in designing advanced electronics or cutting-edge chips. Where it falls behind is in scaling, fabricating, assembling, and integrating chips into complete, working systems.