Manufacturing Engineering: February 2021

The February 2021 edition of Manufacturing Engineering is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.

View Digital Magazine

Always productive, HMCs—such as this DMG Mori NHX 4000 with a speedMASTER spindle—are now also extremely versatile.

Making HMCs Nimble Enough for Small Jobs

January 14, 2021

Horizontal machine tools (HMCs) have typically been used for longer run production jobs. But as lot sizes decrease, machine builders and their partners have introduced new technologies that speed setups and generally make HMCs nimbler. So much so that one should probably rethink the role HMCs serve.

By Ed Sinkora Contributing Editor, SME Media

Machining & Metal Cutting

Five-axis machining centers, such as this Okuma MU-5000V-L five-axis VMC, allow shops to machine highly complex workpieces in a single operation, reducing work-in-process while increasing part quality and profitability.

VMCs: How Many Axes Do You Really Need?

January 18, 2021

The three-axis vertical machining center (VMC) has long been the go-to machine tool for many small to medium-sized shops. Their use is well-understood. Compared to more complex machinery, it’s easier to find operators for three-axis machines.

By Kip Hanson Contributing Editor, SME Media

Machining & Metal Cutting

The iSpeed5 system from NSK is a fully tool-changeable electric spindle that can transform CNC machines into high-speed machining centers.

Fast Times for Machine Spindles

January 20, 2021

Driven spindles are the technical core of a machine tool, supplying the power to turn the cutting tools that shape our products and our world. Attaching one to a five-axis movement creates an advanced CNC machine.

By Bruce Morey Senior Technical Editor, SME Media

Machining & Metal Cutting

Manufacturing managers collaborate on the shop floor using tablet-based PTC Windchill PLM visualizations. PLM has become the foundation for digital transformation and digital thread initiatives at companies of all sizes.

Transforming Manufacturing with PLM Tools

January 22, 2021

With product lifecycle management (PLM) software, manufacturers wield powerful tools to manage the massive transformations buffeting their industries.

By Patrick Waurzyniak Contributing Editor, SME Media

Software

Unequal flute spacing in OSG’s variable geometry end mill line is designed to reduce vibration during machining by altering the timing of each flute engaging in the workpiece.

Multi-Flute End Mills Produce Thoroughly Modern Milling

January 26, 2021

End mills, traditionally made with two to four flutes, are used in one of the oldest mechanized machining processes—milling.

By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media

Tooling & Workholding

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

NEWS DESK
RS Taps Nisha Brown to Lead Marketing and Digital Strategy

PRESS RELEASE: RS Americas August 18, 2026

RS welcomes Nisha Brown to its executive leadership team as the Vice President of Marketing and Digital Experience for RS Americas.
PRESS RELEASES
Fluke CalStudio Conduit Has Intelligent Workflow Automation

PRESS RELEASE: Fluke Corp. August 18, 2026

Calibration laboratories are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources while managing disconnected systems, manual workflows and increasing compliance demands. To address these challenges, Fluke today announced the latest release of CalStudio, headlined by CalStudio Conduit, a no-code workflow and integration platform that connects calibration data with hundreds of business applications.
HUMANS OF MANUFACTURING
Proud to Be a Woman in Manufacturing

Jessica Bird, Sales and Account Management, Midwest CAM Solutions August 18, 2026

There's a moment early in my manufacturing career that I still think about.

Manufacturing Engineering: February 2021

Shop Solutions

Up Front

SME Speaks

Advanced Manufacturing Now

Software Update

Workforce Pipeline

Viewpoints