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Manufacturing Engineering: March 2020

The March 2020 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Large forming tool produced on a Large Scale AM (LSAM) machine from Thermwood. The technology is one of several discussed in Wohlers Report 2020.

New Ventures, Partnerships, Strong Growth Power AM

February 20, 2020
Each year, users the world over—and some in outer space—discover new ways to put additive manufacturing (AM) to work. AM contributes to product improvements, increased efficiency, green initiatives, global partnerships, material developments, and groundbreaking innovations.
Ray Huff Associate Engineer, Wohlers Associates Inc.
By Ray Huff Associate Engineer, Wohlers Associates, Inc.
Terry Wohlers
By Terry Wohlers Head of Advisory Services and Market Intelligence, Wohlers Associates
The RenAM 500Q from Renishaw printing parts for a Renishaw optical system.

Metal Milestones in 3D Printing

February 21, 2020
Compared to machining and other traditional metalworking processes, additive manufacturing (AM) is a newcomer. Most industry experts trace its birth to 1987, when Chuck Hull of 3D Systems fame introduced the first commercially available stereolithography machine, the SLA-1.
Kip Hanson
By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media
Using 3D Systems’ new Figure 4 Production Black 10 photopolymer, a single DLP engine produced these 1,200 plastic, finished, end-use components in 48 hours.

New Polymer Applications in Additive Manufacturing

February 24, 2020
The 3D printing of polymers has been around for over 30 years. And as Patrick Dunne, vice president of advanced application development for 3D Systems Inc., Berkeley, Calif., put it, there are significant applications across many different industries.
Ed Sinkora
By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media
Tang F Grip features a high-feed (HF) chip former that is tangentially mounted in the pocket.

Parting & Grooving: Advanced Tech Delivers Quality Parts, Results

February 25, 2020
One thing that’s certain in developing the most cost-effective solutions for part-off and grooving applications is that there is not just one way to approach the problem and meet basic process requirements for chip evacuation, tool life and surface finish.
Jim Lorincz
By Jim Lorincz Contributing Editor, SME Media
The Reviewer App in VERICUT illustrates a program showing that the machine spindle will collide with the part during the process.

Simulation Software For Error-Free Metalcutting

February 26, 2020
Manufacturers must avoid costly machine errors that cause catastrophic damage to both machine tools and expensive workpieces. Even a minor error in, say, a titanium aerospace component can be a major expense.
Pat Waurzyniak
By Patrick Waurzyniak Contributing Editor, SME Media

Shop Solutions

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

SME Speaks

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Research Focus

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Workforce Pipeline

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Viewpoints

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.

Software Update

  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Reaches Plea Deal For 737 Max Crashes

    Rachael Thomas November 7, 2025
    The Boeing Co. will avoid prosecution following a federal judge’s ruling to dismiss a criminal conspiracy charge regarding two 737 Max jet crashes that killed 346 people.
  • NEWS DESK

    Indiana Goes Big on Nuclear Energy

    Staff Writer November 7, 2025
    First American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) is planning what could eventually amount to a $4-billion investment in Indiana. The massive program will encompass a new headquarters, as well as manufacturing facilities and an energy park, and fund the development of FANCO’s small modular reactor (SMR) technology, the company announced.
  • PRESS RELEASES

    Todd Hughes Returns to Nidec as West Coast Sales Manager

    PRESS RELEASE: Nidec Machine Tool America LLC November 7, 2025
    Nidec Machine Tool America (NMTA) is pleased to announce that Todd Hughes has rejoined the company as regional sales manager for the U.S. West Coast. In this role, Hughes will oversee gear machine tool sales across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.