Mike Riley
Articles by Mike Riley
Buyer Awareness
Welcome to our annual Product Showcase and Buyers Guide.
Buyer Awareness
Welcome to our annual Product Showcase and Buyers Guide.
One More Thing That is Certain
For shops that still do business in the same old slow ways, death and taxes are certain. But one other thing is absolutely certain for those who want to stay competitive and profitable.
Buyer Awareness
Welcome to our annual Product Showcase and Buyers Guide.
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
Many manufacturers are feeling cautious about the economy and hesitant to make new investments until they get a better sense of certainty. But things are changing faster than ever now. Here are some industry forecasts about some market sectors that could be hot and others that may not.
The Future State: Shop Automation and the Industrial Internet of Things
The competitive advantage of the future lies in smart machines that aid in improving your shop’s entire production system, not just an existing process. This webinar will share some tips on equipment and systems that buyers of smart machines must look for.
Buyer Awareness
This Product Showcase & Buyers Guide is designed to help you learn more about some of the new equipment and services that can give you a competitive advantage in your operations.
Bionics and the Future of Flight
Of all the advances taking place in the aerospace industry, none holds more promise than additive manufacturing, a disruptive mother lode of quicker throughput, more cost-effective components, and unimaginable freedom of design in lightweight construction and function integration.
Welcome to the Internet of Things
On this playing field, anything that can be connected, will be connected. Those who can adapt to connecting will thrive. Those who can’t, well . . .
Buyer Awareness
This Product Showcase & Buyers Guide is designed to help you learn more about some of the new equipment and services that can give you a competitive advantage in your operations.
Return of the Forgotten Economic Engine
State of the Industry: The sleeping giant has been awakened. As U.S. manufacturing enters into a vibrant new era where industry forces are disrupting the status quo, the eighth largest economy in the world should grow stronger than ever before.
Buyer Awareness
This issue is designed to help our readers research, plan and execute some of their most successful strategic investments over the coming year.
The Brave New World of Obamacare
In the midst of a U.S. manufacturing renaissance, the disastrous rollout of Obamacare could put a crimp on manufacturers – particularly small shops. Of the nearly 11,000 pages (and counting) of new regulations imposed by this new law, no one really understands the full impact that lies ahead, what new regulations will be added, or how other arcane portions of the law will be changed in the future. Here is a general review of what we do know so far.
The Elephant in the Room
Manufacturing continues to call on high schools to offer more skills training and increase their emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But the coming generations we are trying to attract into our world need more than this. They need to understand why the companies that will value their backgrounds will also nourish their lives and their souls.
Sodick Showcases Wire EDM Linear Motor Drive Technology
The Smart Technology Event conducted live demonstrations of a new range of rigid linear motor driven Wire EDM machines and other high speed machine tools that offer small to mid-size shops a competitive advantage through improved part accuracy, repeatability, speed and acceleration.
Build It They Will Come
Mike Riley reports on how manufacturers are supporting the emerging MTConnect® and ISO 13399 standards for sharing tool and machine data that will help job shops large and small improve their efficiencies and increase capabilities.
The Shape of Things to Come
Take a few moments to think about a future of new digital marketplaces where, instead of people simply shopping for products online, they instead design and build the exact products they want. Talk about mass customization.
Continuing Education… On a CNC? (The Prequel)
Mike Riley reports on how this grassroots response – the heart of the new industrial revolution now taking place in America – recognizes how to use shop floor-oriented continuing education in advanced technologies to offset the profound impact of cheap foreign labor on U.S. manufacturing.
Competing in the World of Big Data
The manufacturing sector has come far in its use of analytic data, but not far enough. Ben Kerschberg of the BK Advisory Group explains why manufacturers who do not embrace a complete vision of using this tool will soon find themselves at a significant competitive disadvantage.
Uncle Sam’s New Role in Manufacturing
The economic rebound that American manufacturing is enjoying right now will not be sustained without our government helping to create a globally competitive business climate. Mike Riley explores the good news that Uncle Sam appears to have finally heard the word.
Manufacturing Enters the Next Information Age
Show Me The Money: With cloud computing starting to generate a lot of noise, Mike Riley sifts through the buzz to explore what all of this really means to manufacturers.
The Politics of Manufacturing
Unemployment is not going to improve in our country unless we have political leaders who actually address our overall decline in manufacturing. With a presidential election right around the corner, Mike Riley shares some thoughts to consider from Washington insiders about the relationship between our government and American manufacturing, and a tax proposal that could potentially boost U.S. manufacturing.
In Memoriam
As the excitement, wonder and awe of the IMTS 2012 event showcases the latest advances in metalworking technology, it is with a heavy heart that Mike Riley pauses to share the sad news of the passing of a great man.
Cold As Ice Technology Is a White Hot Breakthrough
Want to get more competitive? Mike Riley reviews the recent advancements, capabilities and advantages of Minimum Quantity Cryogenics machining from MAG that will be on display next month at IMTS, including dramatic increases in material removal rates and extended tool life on difficult-to-machine materials.
The Long and Winding Road (Part Two)
Tomorrow is Here: Mike Riley reports on how EBDM could be the mother lode that Uncle Sam is searching for to improve the value of the F-35 fighter while other additive technologies are making impacts in medicine, in electronics, in the arts, and even in the home.
The Long and Winding Road
Mike Riley reports how the recent DoD agreement between Lockheed Martin and Sciaty points to EBDM as a promising new technology that could potentially change the world of machining high-value parts.
Labor Revisited, Part Two: A Different World
Much of our work right now is still physical, but we have all witnessed a lot of manual labor vanish into the digital world of sensing, digital communication, and intelligent response. Physical jobs are disappearing into the second economy, and guest columnist W. Brian Arthur believes this effect is dwarfing the much more publicized effect of jobs disappearing to places like India and China.
Labor Revisited
In part one of a two-part series, guest columnist W. Brian Arthur explores the rise of the digital economy that he believes is beginning to supplant the physical economy.
Armed to the Teeth
In the rapidly changing medical industry, the talented entrepreneurs at allshape AG are transforming the dental technician profession from a craft-based profession to one based on CAD programming as dental labs search for more sources to deliver customized and innovative dental implants as quickly as possible to patients.
2012 State of the Industry: Manufacturing Carries the Load
Insights for Strategy and Planning: In our deepest survey ever, fabrication and metalworking executives share their personal assessments of the current state of business, the market sectors they see with the most business activity, the critical issues and major trends that are developing within the industry, and how advancements in technology are changing how companies will compete during the coming year.
THE YEAR AHEAD: LOOKING GOOD
Guest columnist Chris Kuehl of FMA explains how the U.S. economy can grow in 2012 if four key issues are addressed clearly, logically, and in a coordinated manner.
INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING: THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF GREEN MANUFACTURING
Let There Be Light: Guest columnist Reginald Cook of Johnson Controls explores how advancing technology, rebate incentives, and sustainability imperatives argue strongly for complete industrial lighting retrofits.
TOUGH TIMES: THE IMPERATIVE FOR PROCESS CONTROL
Mike Riley presents a simple model from industrial metrology supplier Renishaw Inc. that explains the sources of process non-conformance and the process control methods to address them – something manufacturers will need if and when times get tough.
EDUCATION: CHANGING THE STATUS QUO
Doing More With Less: Guest columnist Dale Petts of Simonds International sees a perfect storm brewing as baby boomers retire and young people view factory work as dirty, dangerous and unfulfilling. But he also sees an industry that is discovering how online training technology can build the competitive value of its workforce.
LARGER THAN LIGHT
When Camman Industries was called upon to custom design chandelier lighting fixtures for a new church, they partnered with Acme Metal Spinning to fabricate the very large bowl structure.
DUST IN THE WIND?
The free market price for natural gas is about two-thirds of the subsidy given to wind, yet wind still cannot compete in the open market. With our nation being challenged to reduce its debt and shrink the federal budget, Mike Riley explains how the reality of business economics is beginning to erase some of the hype about this one-time darling of renewable energy.
2011 BUSINESS OUTLOOK: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
Things appear to be looking up in the metalworking industry. But one leading economist cautions manufacturers not to count their eggs before they’re hatched.
FAILURE TO PERFORM
Ed Zitney, Jr. of SKF Machine Tool Services identifies some potential root causes of spindle failure, along with recommendations to help keep unscheduled downtime at bay.
THE CURRENT STATE OF INDUSTRIES
Mike Riley takes a look back at the best and worst of a year in jobless recovery.
ONE LAST WISH: A SLOW BOIL
Mike Riley explains why our newly-elected Honorables must fight Boiler MACT, an EPA proposal that could devastate America’s manufacturing base and place 800,000 jobs at risk over ridiculous requirements on commercial and industrial boilers.
HYDROFORMING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Scott Pryer of Pryer Technology Group explains to Mike Riley how fabricators, in their pursuit of flexibility and competitive advantage through new sheet metal forming technologies, are discovering how to look to the past to realize the future.
STUDENTS, MEET YOUR NEW TEACHER MR. ROBOT
The future of manufacturing automation is being revealed in these advanced robots, which are both smart enough and engaging enough to rival humans at some teaching tasks. Mike Riley takes an exciting ? but somewhat creepy ? glimpse into the world of tomorrow.
MANAGING AN INFLECTION POINT
U.S. manufacturing is on the brink of a profound change in the way it conducts business. Mike Riley explains how small shops must recognize and prepare for this in order to survive and remain competitive.
THE RECOVERY: HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL’
Mike Riley asks ?which camp are you in?? and then examines two sides to the answer ?it all depends.?
HOW TO GET A HEAD START ON THE COMPETITION
Mike Riley says several shops are breathing easier and optimism is up. Is the worst is behind us? If so, he shares some business insights from consultant John Graham to kick your creative marketing efforts up a notch.
STRATEGY: PLACE OLD ON HOLD
Mike Riley examines how the phrase ?a crisis is a terrible thing to waste? has taken on a life of its own at this machine tool builder, which is using the downturn to prepare for the recovery and develop new products and services.
THEME SONG
Mike Riley examines why the institution that revolutionized the way we build things is now associated more with recalls than with quality because they left the two themes they helped establish.
THE EMPLOYEE MEETING
Food For Thought: Mike Riley presents a reasonably accurate portrayal of what could occur in a typical small business with the current political climate.
LESSONS FOR A POST RECESSION WORLD
No Return To Normal: Facing reduced revenues, manufacturers are struggling to find deeper cost cuts that will save them until the recovery. But if the automotive industry serves as an indicator of things to come, Mike Riley identifies some other lessons that every business might consider to prepare for a very different future.
NAKED AND UNASHAMED: ECONOMIC CENTRAL PLANNING
Living In Neverland (Part Two): Mike Riley reveals how cap-and-trade is not only the largest tax increase in history, but an economic restructuring that threatens to cripple steel manufacturing and alter our entire business model of free enterprise.
LASERS KICK IT UP A NOTCH
The Best of Both Worlds: Higher speeds and innovative cutting techniques are making 2D laser cutting more versatile and productive on all materials, including thick non-ferrous materials. In the world of 3D laser processing, modular 5-axis laser cutting systems are being tailored to specific application needs. Mike Riley takes a closer look at how these technologies are transforming the industry.
LIVING IN NEVERLAND
Cap-and-trade is a controversial bill based upon the flawed science of global warming. It represents the largest tax increase in history. In part one of this series, Mike Riley explains how this bad bill could cripple manufacturing.
WHO MOVED OUR CHEESE?
Mike Riley revisits a business fable that answers this question by examining some concrete steps we all must take to survive this troubled economy ? and to be prepared when it returns.
UNSEEN GREEN
Environmental Disconnect: Is our planet really ?going green?? Take a drive through your town and count the number of solar panels or wind turbines actually being used. Mike Riley explains how the education portion of the stimulus package could really be effective.
PICTURE OF HEALTH
The Doctor Is In: Mike Riley conducts an examination of the medical side of Obamanomics that reveals why universal healthcare is not good for manufacturing.
A TOAST
Commentary from Mike Riley: A salute to no more cone tops, no more crowntainers, no more church keys, and – with all due respect to Jimmy Buffet – no more pop tops.
IN THE LOOP: CUT TO THE CHASE
Mike Riley shows how advanced cutting systems are enabling fabricators to chase new business during slow times.
IN THE LOOP: MODERN DAY MOTHER OF INVENTION
Now, more than ever before, coupling advanced technology with welding processes is necessary to work faster, work smarter, and remain competitive. Mike Riley shows why.
DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO
A crumbling economy … over two million taxpayers out of work … millions more have lost their homes … demand for CEOs to work for free … let’s give ourselves a raise! Commentary from Mike Riley.
THE INDUSTRY & OBAMANOMICS
What’s hot, what’s not. Critical issues and solutions. potential trends and disruptive technologies. Mike Riley explores all of this and some thoughts on the new administration, too. Who could ask for anything more?
SHOW STOPPER: THE DEMISE OF THE DOLLAR
Part Two: What’s the end game? Is there a new kid in town? Not yet. But get ready, it’s coming. Mike Riley answers the question no one wants to ask.
Show Stopper: The Demise of the Dollar
After all the Bloody Sundays, what’s the end game? Part one of the answer to a question no one wants to ask.
Now or Never
Editor’s Forum
