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Manufacturing Engineering: January 2020

The January 2020 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.

Two Roads to Toolpath Evolution

January 2, 2020
The evolution of toolpath development has taken two routes, according to Ben Mund, senior market analyst for CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media

Taking Stainless Steel Machining to the Next Level

January 3, 2020
Stainless steel is far from an unknown quantity in machine shops. Yet, particularly in automotive and aerospace applications, tools and cutting methods continually evolve to optimize output—particularly as parts get more complex.
Geoff Giordano
By Geoff Giordano Contributing Editor, SME Media
This 50,000-lb (22,680 kg) backup roll is being repaired in a turning operation using ceramic inserts.

What Makes the Cut in Heavy-Duty Turning?

January 7, 2020
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that turning large metal parts—like 10,000-lb (4,536 kg) work rolls, for example—is no different than turning smaller parts.
By SME Media Staff

Hang On Tight

January 5, 2020
Smart chucks and zero-point locating systems, quick-change vises and modular workholding are good examples of advanced workholding systems, but you might be thinking, “Who needs it? Give me a 6" machinist’s vise, a three-jaw power chuck, some toe straps and a few T-nuts and I’ll make whatever parts you send my way.”
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
Two 500-kN presses used with a platen workstation to give users the required force. Eric Britton, Promess senior application engineer, stands next to the machine.

Servopress 101: A Basic Guide

January 8, 2020
Servomechanisms are at the heart of 21st century automation. The basic elements are a servomotor; a device to convert rotary motion into linear motion; a suite of sensors to provide the required feedback; a controller to convert feedback data into command signals; and enabling software.
Stephanie Price Software Engineer, Promess Inc.
By Stephanie Price Software Engineer, Promess

Shop Solutions

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Upfront

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

SME Speaks

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Workforce Pipeline

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Viewpoints

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.

Software Update

  • NEWS DESK

    Velocity Group Expands Manufacturing Footprint in Ohio Plant

    PRESS RELEASE: Velocity Group August 14, 2026
    Velocity Group, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low- to mid- volume assembly, injection molding and tooling for electronic and electro-mechanical products, is opening a new 80,000-square-foot plant that will triple its production capacity and support larger, more complex and higher-precision components and assemblies, including those needed to run data center power, cooling and networking systems.
  • NEWS DESK

    GM Signs $4.5-Billion Parts Deal With Management Co.

    Michael McConnell August 14, 2026
    General Motors Co. has made an agreement with a third-party inventory management company called Procura Auto Parts to help the automaker preserve cash and reduce the supply chain disruptions that it has suffered in recent years.
  • INCLUSIVE INSIGHTS

    The Future of Manufacturing Is in Your Hands. Literally.

    Dave Boeldt, Product Manager, Bosch Rexroth August 14, 2026
    It's easy to fall into the rabbit hole of your phone’s app store. Countless options exist that promise to make your life easier, and more are coming online every day.