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Manufacturing Engineering: January/February 2023

The January/February 2023 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Manufacturing enters 2023 amid uncertainty. Some industries are stronger than others.

Manufacturing Enters New Year Amid Uncertainty

January 23, 2023
Economic contraction began toward the end of 2022, but improvement may occur later in 2023.
Bill Koenig
By Bill Koenig Senior Editor, SME Media
Steve Plumb
By Steve Plumb Senior Editor, SME Media
2023

Executives Speak Out About 2023

January 23, 2023
Manufacturing Engineering surveyed executives about the economic outlook for 2023. Here is what they said.
By SME Media Staff
Steel has continued to become lighter and stronger over the decades, allowing automakers to produce safer, lighter vehicles.

Putting the Pedal to the Metal — and Other Materials on the Move

January 25, 2023
Recent advancements in polymers, metals, and composites are taking the manufacturing industry in bold, often unexpected directions.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
A worker at Ferndale Safety fabricates parts for aluminum extrusion guarding on a drilling machine. He’s protected by one of Ferndale’s own guarding products.

A New Safety Age

January 26, 2023
Improving workplace safety is good for everyone, but issues and strategies can vary between younger and older employees.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media
Aircraft, notably some USAF and Boeing, use carbon fiber extensively. CemeCon diamond coatings are useful in this demanding application.

The Cutting Edge on Tool Coatings

January 27, 2023
Incremental changes highlight recent advances in the wake of severe supply chain challenges.
Thom Cannell
By Thom Cannell Contributing Editor
A two-axis machining head (bringing the total axis count to six) can add significant versatility.

Multi-Axis Opportunities

January 30, 2023
Heads up: Moving beyond standard five-axis machining with novel configurations.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media

Up Front

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”

SME Speaks

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”

Workforce Development

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”

Viewpoints

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”

Shop Solutions

  • PRESS RELEASES

    Youngstown Innovation Hub Seeks White Papers

    PRESS RELEASE: Youngstown Innovation Hub January 14, 2026
    YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), is seeking technical White Papers in response to a project call focused on IP Generation & Technology Development.
  • NEWS DESK

    How the Dignity Act Could Ease Manufacturing’s Hiring Struggles

    John Dorer, CEO, EB3.Work January 14, 2026
    Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, but in recent years the industry has struggled mightily to fill the roles that keep its engines churning.
  • NEWS DESK

    Ford: Future $30,000 Truck to Offer 'Eyes-Off' Driving

    Michael McConnell January 14, 2026
    By 2028, Ford will offer eyes-off autonomous driving on a vehicle that uses Ford Motor Co.’s upcoming “universal EV platform.”