What’s in a name? In some cases, a lot. “It’s in our DNA to live by our name,” said Scott Shortess, CEO of Advanced Machining & Fabricating and Advanced Plastics in Owasso, Okla. However, they are known simply by the name “Advanced.”

Today’s machine tools create an enormous amount of data. One way of using this information is to implement automated feedback processes that improve machining operations. In this episode, Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering magazine, talks with Scott Mahrle, director of business development for Q-DAS and Hexagon Integrated Solutions, and Frank Krazer, system engineer for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, about what automated machine tool feedback is and how it impacts the manufacturing process; how automated machine tool feedback can increase the efficiency of both people and equipment; how it can produce costs savings; and how manufacturers can build workers’ confidence in this process.

FANUC and Rockwell Automation formed a coalition to address skills gap issues with work and apprenticeship programs.

Toolpath simulation software gives manufacturers assurance that their machine tools will cut parts quickly and accurately, which is particularly useful when machining expensive materials like titanium or Inconel.