Modern Machine Shop is focused on all aspects of metalworking technology - Providing the new product technologies; process solutions; supplier listings; business management; networking; and event information that companies need to be competitive.
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better production Shops Using Technology machine shop—the only difference is that the chips flying are primarily engineered plastics rather than metal. Its customers are typically manufacturers of agricultural, construction, mining and oil-field equipment that want to replace metal par ts with plastic alternatives that are lightweight, more affordable, and shatter-, wearand corrosion-resistant. Down Economy ForcEs changE The economic downturn of 2009 changed everything. "People aren't holding inventory like they used to," explains Jerry Dunnagan, director of manufacturing. "Everyone wants the shorter-run jobs, and they want it now. Because they don't have the inventory, we feel the pressure to turn things around quickly. It used to be everyone was happy with a 3-, 4- or 5-week lead time, but that is a thing of the past. Now, they want it in a week or two," he says. As the company stretched itself to maintain— 104 MMS September 2013 mmsonline.com and even reduce—lead times without sacrificing quality, something else happened to place an additional burden on its equipment, operators and programmers: Sales began to take off. Programming TakEs on nEw DimEnsions To keep up with this newfound growth, the company began to rely heavily on the tools available in Mastercam to program and manufacture more efficiently, Mr. Dunnagan says. Programmers use Mastercam's solids capabilities to transform SolidWorks and CATIA files into 3D CAM models, which are used to efficiently generate part programs. With six seats of the software and seven users who are proficient at using it, the company ensures that its programs and programmers operate as efficiently as possible. The company has also developed a partnering relationship with QTE Manufacturing Solutions, its Mastercam reseller, to provide training and help brainstorm how the CAM software can be