The Basics of the North American Steel Grade System
All the digits in the US AISI/SAE steel grade nomenclature system have important information about the steel.
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Special Post For Your Safety Training
Graphic safety message about the real consequences of distracted driving (like texting).
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GE CEO: Manufacturing Jobs Should Comprise 20% of US Employment
In GE-speak, Buy Green means “Made in China”
The hypocrisy of Jeffrey Immelt, “20 % of US jobs should be manufacturing jobs,” while closing plants and failing to reinvest to make these “green products” here in the US. -
8 Reasons Steel Parts Can Warp in Heat Treat
Dimensional changes after heat treatment are a result of crystalline structure changes and are usually less than an eighth of a percent in linear dimension. Warpage is usually the result of bad practices in process including rapid heating, overheating, non-uniform heating, non-uniform cooling,non-uniform agitation,and water contamination in the quenching oil.
Choosing steels with higher hardenability (alloys rather than plain carbon steels), finer grain size, and paying attention to the details of loading, time at temperature, and quenchant delivery are all steps that can minimize warpage distortion, even when part design is less than optimum. -
Precision Machining Industry Sales Recover In September
For the Precision Machining Industry, a strong case can be made that our sales are recovering. Fifty-two percent (52%) of our particpants reported double digit sales increases in September.
The outlook for sales in the short term has stabilized, with only 19% of respondents expecting a decline in sales overthe next three months. -
Friday Breaking Story: Adminstration Fails to Cite China as a Currency Manipulator
The Obama Administration failed to cite China as a currency manipulator, despite “tough talk ont he campaign trail on this issue. Where’s the Beef? Where’s the change?
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Just Posted- PMPA's October 2009 Material Impacts Report
The prices of the raw materials that we track have continued to rise with double digit percentage gains over January. Price increase announcements in addition to surcharge increases since our last report.
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New OSHA Emphasis Program- Recordkeeping
OSHA’s new NEP will involve inspecting occupational injury and illness records. Now is probably a good time to do a self audit to assure your records are in order.
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PMPA Testifies Before Senate Banking Subcommittee
Precision Machined Products manufacturers are challenged by limited access to credit and draconian demands for changes in terms, conditions, collateral and covenants.
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What Does A Molecule Look Like?
An image of a molecule taken by IBM researchers in Zurich confirms our chemical theories. Our work as machinists is based on this kind of science.