FOUNDRY-IN-A-BOX

You can’t get every student to take a manufacturing tour, but there’s always another solution.

Employees at Eck Industries, a Manitowoc, Wisconsin metal caster, helped start a program called “Foundry in a Box.” They're taking manufacturing job basics right into area middle schools so that students can learn hands-on to form moldings, melt tin, pour castings and clean up.

“We thought it important to clarify the wide range of employment opportunities available—from engineers and scientists to marketing and management professionals, molders and hourly workers,” says David Weiss, vice president of engineering, research and development.

Find out more about it in this month's Modern Metals Magazine.

DO MANUFACTURING JOBS REALLY PAY WELL?

No doubt, manufacturing jobs pay well, above average through the economy. Yet, you’ll see occasional statistics that say otherwise, that pay can be at or below national averages. So what’s the real story?

In this month’s fabricator.com, senior editor Tim Heston looks at the balance of skilled workers vs. unskilled and temporary, and how today’s plant managers strive to balance customer demand with trained, engaged workers.

It's a great read. Check it out here.

Six Predictions for Manufacturing

Manufacturers have been through significant changes in the past 10 years, some positive, others not so good. So what can we expect in 2015? Good news, for the most part. Industry Week Magazine has six predictions, some based on current trends, others are the likely outcomes of political and consumer actions.

A few examples:

• Reshoring will continue (but at a slower pace)
• A manufacturing boom will hit the US (great for those positioned to take advantage)
• New technologies will open new doors

Find out more about these and others in this month’s edition here.

Complicated Won't Cut It in 2015

The typical response to a problem is to create a new set of rules. Over time, all these new rules complicate things and start interfering with productivity. The answer, according to senior staff at the Boston Consulting Group, is ‘smart simplicity.’

In a brand new Industry Week article, they tell the ‘Six Rules of Smart Simplicity’ to help manufacturers avoid getting bogged down. The rules include:

• Find out what’s really happening (since performance problems are often the result of people’s actions)
• Identify ‘Integrators’ who tend to make cooperation happen
• Empower people to make a difference
• Find ways to make people dependent on each other
• Don’t punish failure, but punish failure to cooperate

These titles only scratch the surface, so take a look at the complete article from Industry Week here

Solutions for Stamping Issues

Inconsistencies in metal stamping are a common issue and, although they're usually blamed on the material or die, there are more than 50 other elements that could be the cause.

This month’s Metal Forming Magazine takes a look at the most likely suspects: including feeders, press irregularities or buying cheap material.

Tracking down the real villain, and applying the fix, could be a whole lot easier than you'd think.

For details, check out “Metal Stamping Inconsistencies” here.

From Car Fanatic to Welder

How a Detroit-area auto buff discovered welding through a shop class, and never looked back.

“As soon as I struck my first 7018 rod, I was hooked,” says Tom Howes, a 28 year old fabricator. His ‘discovered’ trade has taken him across the country, and even overseas. Today, Howe is opening his own business in the greater Detroit area.

Although welders…and the need for good ones…is a frequent fabrication topic, this is a great read, and excellent example for novices and students.

You can read his full story here

Ford Ships Aluminum Pickups After Extra Checks

One of the big stories out of Detroit this year has been Ford’s switch from steel to aluminum in all of it’s F150 pick-ups.

Since the F150 is Ford’s top model (and the best selling vehicle in the country), industry insiders are watching closely for consumer reaction and acceptance.

To make sure every detail is covered as the first models roll of the line, Ford engineers are double and triple-checking it for quality standards.

Here’s a terrific article from The Detroit News on the steps Ford is taking to make sure their risk pays off.