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SME Media Manufacturing Engineering & Technology Magazine January 2021

Manufacturing Engineering: January 2021

The January 2021 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
View Digital Magazine
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

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

Up Front

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

SME Speaks

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

Additive Manufacturing Update

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

Workforce Pipeline

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.

Viewpoints

  • Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina
    NEWS DESK

    Zeiss Opens New Quality Excellence Center in North Carolina

    PRESS RELEASE: Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions April 10, 2026
    Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of its new Quality Excellence Center in Huntersville, N.C., with a special one-day event dedicated to bringing together manufacturers across the southeastern United States to learn, connect, and experience a facility built to power manufacturing growth.
  • Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program
    GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS

    Budget Slashes NIST, Ends Manufacturing Partnership Program

    Michael McConnell April 10, 2026
    The 2027 White House budget proposal calls for eliminating funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a 38-year-old program that supports small and midsize businesses.
  • AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use
    ENERGY

    AI, Crypto to Drive Record Energy Use

    Michael McConnell April 9, 2026
    After marking all-time highs in 2024 and 2025, U.S. energy demand is expected to hit records for the next two years.