57 | New Technologies Offer Process Variety Manufacturers today have a greater variety of highly specialized alternative tech- nologies to choose from to maximize productivity, throughput, and profitability. Innovative technologies include robotics with a human touch, waterjet cutting, and parallel kinematics machine (PKM) technology.
67 | PLM Systems Extend Their Reach The high cost of product lifestyle management (PLM) software was once a barrier to entry for all but the largest of manufacturing operations. But new versions of PLM software and cloud-based systems are bringing the cost down, allowing more companies to benefit from the technology.
77 | Understanding the Role of Surface
Finish in Improving Part Performance Mass finishing processes have been widely adopted throughout industry as the optimum methodology for producing controlled edge and surface finish effects on many types of machined and fabricated components. In many cases, however, hand or manual methods are still being used because more automated methods have not been considered or adequately investigated.
87 | A Fresh, New Look at The Toyota Way Two lean experts discuss their Shingo Prize-winning book and mission to spread a culture of continuous improvement—beyond Kaizen blitzes and machine thinking.
67 DEPARTMENTS
6 UP FRONT In Search of Terra Firma 8 CALENDAR
10 QUALITY SCAN On-the-Job Lessons
12 SME SPEAKS SME’s 2012 Election Results 17 NEWSDESK
Analysis of ISM Manufacturing Report 43 WEBSITE PROFILES
49 SHOP SOLUTIONS Tangential Milling Secures Roughing Process
ON THE WEB Waterjets & Airframes
For an in-depth look at machining aircraft composite structures with abrasive waterjets, visit http://tinyurl.com/waterjetmfg
99 KNOWLEDGE EXPRESS 101 FABTECH PREVIEW
Manufacturers Come Out Swinging 112 CLASSIFIEDS 114 AD INDEX
The Cover: Rethink Robotics’ Baxter, to be on display at FABTECH 2012, captured the world’s attention when unveiled in September. Rethink Robotics says Baxter ushers in a new era in robotics as the world’s first humanoid robot capable of applying common sense behavior to manufacturing environments.
116 FOCUS ON THE WORKFORCE Lean Course Teaches Value of Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineering is a sponsor of the Shingo Prize