Metalforming Magazine Online Exclusives

Slide Tipping Moments

Wed, 1 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

When the working forces in a die are not distributed evenly across the press slide, the slide will tip and move laterally in the direction of the greatest force. If this movement occurs with the punches engaged with other die components, excessive wear or damage may occur. Die wear increases die-maintenance costs and compromises dimensional consistency of the stampings being produced.

How Many Pro-Union Buttons Can Be Worn at Work? Ask Starbucks

Wed, 1 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

From 2004 to 2007, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union engaged in a highly visible campaign to organize wage employees in four New York Starbucks stores. Starbucks stores generally are staffed by two classes of wage employees: barista and shift supervisors. Both are described internally as “partners.”

Sensor Frankensteins, Mutants and Zombies

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

The economy has been incubating a sensor-and-controls nightmare the likes of which I have not seen in decades, if ever. Plant closures, auctions, offshoring, takeover dies, retirement of many of our skilled tradespeople and even eBay have resulted in shop floors partially if not fully populated with sensor and controls monstrosities. Let’s look at some examples.

Insourcing: Don’t Be Fooled

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

January 10, 2012, marked a historic day in American manufacturing. Of course I’m sarcastically referring to President Obama’s Insourcing Forum. Those paying attention to the media on this date caught a fresh batch of government spin, with a presidential speech following a meeting with U.S.-based manufacturing companies bucking the offshoring trend.

Stop Smoking and Save Money

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

A full-page ad in a national weekly magazine stopped me cold. Its headline: Five years after you quit smoking, your risk of stroke is the same as someone who’s never smoked.