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Manufacturing Engineering: January 2021

The January 2021 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Machine tool builders are making complex five-axis setups easier, such as this one from DMG Mori.

Simplifying and Moving Beyond Five-Axis Machining

December 15, 2020
Five-axis machining, once a novel and somewhat forbidding technology, has become routine in many shops. Meanwhile, some organizations are still hesitant to use it, largely due to programming concerns.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media
Machining high-temperature alloys calls for stable and powerful machines like the G420 turn mill.

Cutting Superalloy Challenges Down to Size

December 17, 2020
How people feel about heat-resistant superalloys depends on what they do with them. Those who use parts made of HRSAs are high on the materials because they retain their strength and hardness at high temperatures and also provide excellent corrosion resistance.
By SME Media Staff
Seco MDT Tooling controls chips in cut-off operations through the Jetstream Tooling internal coolant system, which directs coolant to the cutting edge.

Turning Inserts Face New Challenges

December 21, 2020
Originally marketed for their proficiency in heavy metal removal applications while delivering longer tool life and multi-point efficiency, turning inserts have grown more sophisticated in response to advances in materials, machines, methods, and even social factors.
By Frank Burke Contributing Writer, SME Media
This self-centering vise from SMW Autoblok has an extra-large clamping range and is available with basic and premium top-jaw versions.

The Modular Future for Workholding

December 28, 2020
For as long as people have been machining parts, they’ve been devising ever-more ingenious ways to grip them.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
Zac Findlay, manufacturing engineering manager (left) and Bailey Cupp, senior manufacturing engineer, Armstrong International, with the company’s Tsugami B0326-III Swiss-style CNC lathe.

First Time’s the Charm

January 6, 2021
All shops want to be more productive and reduce downtime. For some, this means an investment in a high-end CNC machine tool. Others give quick-change toolholders a try, or pursue an IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) machining strategy.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media

Shop Solutions

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Up Front

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

SME Speaks

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Additive Manufacturing Update

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Workforce Pipeline

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.

Viewpoints

  • PRESS RELEASES

    American Welding Society, NARSA/IDEA to Develop Welding Education

    PRESS RELEASE: American Welding Society December 5, 2025
    The American Welding Society (AWS) is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with NARSA/IDEA International Heat Transfer Association, the international trade association for the heat transfer and diesel emissions industries. This collaboration unites two organizations committed to elevating technical excellence, supporting workforce development, and delivering high-value training to professionals in the heavy-duty cooling, heat exchange, and diesel emissions sectors.
  • NEWS DESK

    Trump Administration Rolls Back Fuel-Efficiency Standards

    Cary Gitter December 5, 2025
    President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the White House would be rolling back Biden-era fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, USA Today reported.
  • AEROSPACE DEFENSE

    Pratt & Whitney Secures $1.6-Billion Contract

    Michael McConnell December 5, 2025
    Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has been awarded a $1.6-billion U.S. government contract for work on F-135 jet engines. The engines are used in the three versions of the F-35 Lightning II fighters.