The auto accident, as a general event, and car repair, as an industry built
around the breakdown of the car, can tell us a great deal about technology in
the time in which we live. By taking on the perspective that the history of
technology is a history of contingencies, we can build a history of technology
in which even accidents have their place. The car accident, as a general event,
and car repair, as an industry built around the breakdown of the car, can tell
us a great deal about technology in the time in which we live. By taking on the
perspective that the history of technology is a history of contingencies, we can
build a history of technology in which even accidents have their place.
In other
words, every event in the evolution of technology has had an effect on the
present state of things. When considering the car repair industry as an organ of
the overall technological support system of the car, it should be noted that
networks and systems are often a matter of perspective. The car, as an object cnc bending machine,
fits into other technological systems, such as its role in moving people from
their homes to their workplaces and vice versa. Furthermore, looking
specifically at the car repair industry, it is its own system, with its own
organs, its own system of objects and tools. A car, like any other technological
object (or theory of technology), must also be highly adaptable in its design.
Cars can be made to fit fewer people, such as sports cars, or made to fit large
families, such as sport utility vehicles. A variety of forms are possible,
although they are constrained by certain considerations hydraulic busbar
machine. Any changing system has constraints that push the drive toward
adaptation. The car repair industry itself imposes certain constraints on the
design of cars, and the changing design of cars is also having an effect on the
industry. This feedback loop situation is commonplace in adaptive systems.
Ecosystems also work largely off of feedback loops that create equilibrium, but
can also cause adaptive change. Each change in a system is contingent upon the
history of that system. Some historical contingencies worth exploring include
the fact that human body did not evolve to survive traffic accidents. Biological
evolution and technological evolution come up against each other in conflict. It
can also be noted that the design of the interior of the car reproduces the
relations of the nuclear family, with the father at the wheel, the mother in the
passenger seat, and the children in the back seat.
Both biological and social
organization has had a profound effect on the direction of how technological
objects are designed. The human body and the nuclear family both have an effect
on the design of the car. Cars are constantly being re-designed to increase
safety and to accommodate the various needs of modern families hydraulic busbar
cutter. The car repair industry has had to adapt to keep up with changing
design. The different available forms that vehicles take each require
specialized knowledge. Mechanics are becoming knowledge workers as much as they
are mechanical workers. Computers have become an integral part of the mechanics
workshop as well as inside of every vehicle. Computers have become a network,
couched within the network of our existing technologies. As you can see,
adaptive systems include many complex relationships that form a dense network of
interactions. Cars change size, shape, and color to suit certain needs, and
mechanics have had to adapt, leading to an explosion of repair techniques and
technicians.
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Saturday, December 26, 2015
PresentAll is changing with technology
Online video conferencing technology is changing quickly. It is important to
search out a service that will adapt to the rapid change in technology.
PresentAll is adapting to changing technology. In 1943, -- IBM chairman Thomas
Watson said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." .
Its amazing how technology has changed punching machine. Presentall is constantly developing new technology to improve client experience. With changing times and the vast technology improvements, its hard to know what is available. You can be assured that Presentall offers cutting edge technology. The development team at PresentAll is working hard to provide a user friendly video conferencing service to clients busbar processing machine.
Who would have thought 20 years ago that you could have virtual meetings via the internet? In todays world you can be present without being present. You can meet with clients, train colleagues, or collaborate with your staff from anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless. PresentAll knows time and expense are one of the biggest concerns for businesses and with PresentAll, you can be more effective with your time and cut back on expenses copper pipe bender. For more information visit
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Its amazing how technology has changed punching machine. Presentall is constantly developing new technology to improve client experience. With changing times and the vast technology improvements, its hard to know what is available. You can be assured that Presentall offers cutting edge technology. The development team at PresentAll is working hard to provide a user friendly video conferencing service to clients busbar processing machine.
Who would have thought 20 years ago that you could have virtual meetings via the internet? In todays world you can be present without being present. You can meet with clients, train colleagues, or collaborate with your staff from anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless. PresentAll knows time and expense are one of the biggest concerns for businesses and with PresentAll, you can be more effective with your time and cut back on expenses copper pipe bender. For more information visit
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Friday, December 4, 2015
What's The Best Fitness Machine?
So you have made the decision to begin an exercise program, and you'd like to
learn exactly what the best fitness machine is? I wager you have done some
investigation on the internet, and you are more confused now than whenever you
began! That is because almost everybody who's selling machines along with other
exercise equipment will let you know their own is the greatest, and they'll most
likely have studies, research or recommendations to back them up. And when the
merchandise has been offered on television, they'll most likely dazzle you using
the physiques of fitness models, both men and women, utilizing their equipment.
But you will know these folks had these physiques before they ever set eyes with
that particular device hydraulic
busbar bending cutting punching machine, right? If you are going to end up
the right fitness machine, you need to request your couple of questions first,
the primary one being "exactly what do I would like out of this equipment?". And
you have to be specific. None of the "I wish to slim down", or "I would like to
get fitInch stuff. Not a chance, you have to sharpen around the goal - "I wish
to possess a 28 inch waist", or "I wish to gain 15 pounds of muscle and lose
twenty pounds of body fat". You'll be able to have educated choices. Another
question you have to request on your own is regardless of whether you want an
aerobic training machine or a bit of weight training equipment. If you want to
get fit, you ought to be doing both - however that does not mean you have to buy
two separate machines cnc bending machine
manufacturers. More about that later. Among aerobic machines, you will find
the treadmill, elliptical trainer, stepper or stairclimber, rowing machines,
recumbent stationary bikes, spinning bikes and much more. Weight training
machines include multi-gyms, energy shelves, half shelves, cruz machines, and
separate machines that focus on nearly every person group of muscles within your
body. The number of of those machines do you want? None, really. If you possess
the funds and also the space on their behalf, they could make do more exercise
convenient. But you can aquire a great weight training workout having a bench
and a few dumbbells and/or perhaps a bar and weight plates. If for whatever
reason, you cannot swing that - no problem. That you can do body weight
exercises for example push-ups, dips, pull-ups, sit ups, crunches etc. You may
think they are too simple to build any real strength or muscle, but you will
find ways to ensure they are with enough contentration for the most powerful
person. We do not have room to enter that here, but perform a little research on
the internet for body weight exercises. You may be amazed at that which you
find. If this involves your aerobic workout, you are able to jog, run, walk
quickly, jumping rope, do lunges, or make your own interval workout from
conditioning exercises such as the crab walk, bear walk, walking lunge, lunges,
etc. Perform a couple of teams of individuals without preventing and find out
whether it will get your heartrate up! Once more cnc
busbar punching machine, if you do not understand what these workouts are,
just perform a web search. However I want an fitness machine! Ok, should you let
them know. Once the elliptical machine first grew to become popular about 10
years ago, there have been some studies showing you could obtain a better
workout with that machine than should you invested the equivalent effort around
the treadmill. Degree of perceived effort, they refer to it as busbar punching cutting bending
machine. However another studies appeared to exhibit it had become truly the
treadmill that permitted you to definitely get equal benefits while feeling as
if you were cruising a bit. Where shall we be held choosing all of this
contradictory research? Well, the fact is this fact research does not really
matter much for you. In order to me. If I personally don't like to sit down on
the bike chair, it does not matter if your study arrives tomorrow stating that
the stationary bike supplies a workout ten occasions much better than every
other bit of aerobic equipment. If I am not likely to take a seat on that chair,
I'd be stupid to buy a bicycle. Really, I possess a spinning bike and like it,
to ensure that wasn't a really realistic example, however i think you understand
:-) Experiment to determine what matches your needs. Consider using a spinning
class. Try jogging around the block. Try push-ups and pull-ups, or perhaps a
energy rack, or bench presses. Visit the elliptical at the health club, or look
for a friend that has one. Use them all to determine that which you like, after
which develop a balanced strength and aerobic program from individuals options.
That's what'll help you stay working out consistently, and doing the work
consistently may be the primary answer to obtaining the results that you would
like.
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Exactly What The (Bleep) Is Really A Chi Machine
The advantages of the chi machine are enormous. Since 1990 roughly 500, 000 chi
machines happen to be offered worldwide and also the amounts keep increasing the
greater people discover concerning the amazing health achievements connected
using its use copper busbar shearing
punching machine. In line with the concept that all sickness is triggered
with a disruption within the natural flow of chi (?chi? in chinese describes
?life force? or ?life energy?), the chi machine is renowned for re-aiming chi
and getting healing and health towards the suffering body. The thought of the
chi machine was created by Dr. Shizuo Inoue, who emerged using the chi machine
as you're watching swimming fish. He observed that fish had well well developed
physiques and recognized it had been because of the steady undulation from the
fishes spine while swimming that stored the seafood well oxygen rich and fit.
After investing decades staring at the relationship between oxygen and also the
healthy body, Inoue wondered how he could bring exactly the same benefits
seafood loved towards the individual, hence the development of the very first
chi machine. The chi machine creates the key that optimal oxygen intake is
essential to get affordable health. The chi machine provides a healthy body by
moving our physiques inside a motion much like those of seafood hydraulic
busbar bending cutting punching machine, therefore stimulating the
spinal-cord, the supportive nerve and growing the bronchus to combine oxygen
intake busbar
machine suppliers. Because present day health dangers like bad air,
chemicals, processed meals, improper dieting and exercise, all take toll on the
health insurance and vitality, the chi machine is the best choice to assist the
body heal. Just using the chi machine you'll release undesirable harmful toxins,
enhance your stamina, improve your metabolic process, and fight chronic and
debilitating ailments, all without having to put force on areas of the body for
example spinal vertebrae joints, heart and lung area. If you suffer from from
poor circulation, tired and sore muscles, bronchial asthma hydraulic busbar
bending, poor digestion, constipation, joint disease, discomfort, anxiety,
insomnia, poor organ function, menstrual problems along with other conditions,
the chi machine is the ally in rebuilding the body to health insurance and
vitality.
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Kegel master The Question Machine
A lot of women feel it trivial to keep themselves and let it become vulnerable
to pricey surgical procedures when some common gynecological problems like
incontinence bus bar
bending machine, uterine prolapse, or helping to loosen of vagina aren't
given serious attention. This stuff may be treatable without surgical procedures
with early recognition and employ of the revolutionary product named
Kegelmaster. This product can be used while doing Kegel exercise and also the
answers are awesome can help to save a lot of money in surgical procedures with
no side-effect. The possible lack of vaginal muscle rigidity or any urinary
accident result in incontinence and contains affected huge quantity of women
around the world and it is an awkward situation on their behalf hydraulic
busbar bending machine. They are able to cause numerous irregularities for
example Uterine Prolapse, Cystocele, Rectocele, Stress Incontinence, Over-active
bladder, Pelvic discomfort, including menstrual cramps and helping to loosen of
vaginal muscles. The Kegel or pelvic floor exercise by using Kegelmaster is an
efficient fix for these syndromes. The dynamic, progressive resistance supplied
by this product in firming, strengthening and tightening of vagina muscles is
extremely useful. The control Knob coupled with 15 amounts of adjustable spring
loaded resistance enables you to realize the potency of this product. If your
lady really wants to become more powerful, tight in her own pelvic region in a
brief period, utilization of Kegelmaster a very good idea cnc bending machine
manufacturers. Prevention is preferable to cure and employ of the device
with physical exercise is of great importance and importance. There's not one
other product to check. The pelvic floor disorder could be triggered through the
following reasons: Stitching after Giving birth ? Nearly all women request the
doctors to stitch their vagina (also known as love stitch) to have it reformed
and tight. This really is more painful and pricey and cannot be an alternative
of working out. After Menopause ? The older women, who may have lost their
vaginal tone consequently of menopause, can restore the rigidity and strength
after using Kegelmaster aluminium busbars.
Incontinence ? Incontinence isn't an inevitable a part of your existence.
Individuals who are suffering from Incontinence or wish to prevent it may
exercise by using Kegelmaster to improve the friction with better vagina
firming. Individuals who're seriously interested in the vaginal strength and
wish to grow their sexual existence may use Kegelmaster with physical exercise
and lead a proper and active existence full of confidence.
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Exactly what is a CPAP Machine and what's it Employed for
CPAP machines, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machines, are generally
known to as anti snoring machines. From the industry?s purported anti snoring
cures busbar cutting machine, CPAP
machines are the most typical and frequently thought is the best strategy to
anti snoring. CPAP machines will also be accustomed to treat coronary heart
(CAD) and heart failure. Furthermore, doctors use CPAP machines to deal with
mixed anti snoring, that is a mixture of obstructive and central anti snoring busbar
bending. Positive airway pressure is a technique of respiratory system
ventilation. CPAP machines work by growing air pressure inside a patient?s
throat to ensure that the airway doesn't collapse once the patient inhales. The
individual wears whether mask or prongs that suit in to the nose. The mask or
prongs are affixed to a hose, which is mounted on an air mattress pump that's
typically located inside a situation lined with seem absorbing materials. You
will find a couple of different versions bending machinery, for
this, and changes can be created for comfort. Dealing with anti snoring is very
important. CPAP machines happen to be extremely effective for severe and
moderate anti snoring. Patients usually notice home loan business daytime
drowsiness, and patients with coronary heart using CPAP for anti snoring are
less inclined to have heart disease- the worst which being heart failure cnc bending machine.
Bloodstream pressure is decreased throughout the evening along with the day, and
patients may sleep with the evening undisturbed. To learn more trip to our
website at
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Sunday, November 29, 2015
Slot Machines: The Backbone of Gambling
A slot machine is a machine made for gambling which makes a wheel attached to it rotate whenever a button associated to it is pressed. It is called by different names in different continents. In Britain, it is called as fruit machine while in Australia, it is known as poker machine. Originally, these machines used to have a single lever associated on one side of the machine which one had to push in order too make the wheel spin. Because of this, the machine was also termed as one armed bandits.
This method of playing used to make the gambler bankrupt. The legacy of the usage of the levers is still not over, however, introduced with an additional button
These machines have coded patterns made of different symbols. In order to win, a person must have a specific pattern of symbols. According to some surveys, these kinds of machines are responsible of up to seventy percent of the working of the casinos all over the world. With the advancement of tech, new concepts of gambling over slot machines are being introduced in the market on a regular basis. Now, rather than the previous coin entry methods, tickets are used as inputs to the machines, which are actually made up of a bar coded paper. And with that, new touch screen monitors have been introduced in the world of gambling. The game does not require any dexterity from the counterpart of the player. All what it is based upon is sheer luck.
A person is declared as a winner if the patterns appearing on the screen match each other. The patterns are displayed either on a big display screen or some reels which are fed into the machine and which stop one by one in order to reveal the patterns. The symbols generally used are shapes or artistic figures of fruits, roman letters, and cartoons, shapes of some common objects or hearts. In the newer version, where LCD screens are employed, animated characters appear on the screen.
The winning combination depends upon machine to machine. The pattern required in order to win is shown on the machines itself, or accessible if touched at the right spot on the touch screens. The modes of rewarding may also be different, such as transaction of an amount to the bar coded paper, or some cash, or some extra games
This method of playing used to make the gambler bankrupt. The legacy of the usage of the levers is still not over, however, introduced with an additional button
These machines have coded patterns made of different symbols. In order to win, a person must have a specific pattern of symbols. According to some surveys, these kinds of machines are responsible of up to seventy percent of the working of the casinos all over the world. With the advancement of tech, new concepts of gambling over slot machines are being introduced in the market on a regular basis. Now, rather than the previous coin entry methods, tickets are used as inputs to the machines, which are actually made up of a bar coded paper. And with that, new touch screen monitors have been introduced in the world of gambling. The game does not require any dexterity from the counterpart of the player. All what it is based upon is sheer luck.
A person is declared as a winner if the patterns appearing on the screen match each other. The patterns are displayed either on a big display screen or some reels which are fed into the machine and which stop one by one in order to reveal the patterns. The symbols generally used are shapes or artistic figures of fruits, roman letters, and cartoons, shapes of some common objects or hearts. In the newer version, where LCD screens are employed, animated characters appear on the screen.
The winning combination depends upon machine to machine. The pattern required in order to win is shown on the machines itself, or accessible if touched at the right spot on the touch screens. The modes of rewarding may also be different, such as transaction of an amount to the bar coded paper, or some cash, or some extra games
Preparing Your New Sewing Machine to Sew
A few weeks ago I wrote a column on how to choose your sewing machine. If you have made your choice, we will continue on with getting your machine
ready to ... the machine is ... that
A few weeks ago I wrote a column on how to choose your sewing machine. If you have made your choice, we will continue on with getting your machine
ready to sew.
Threading the machine is something that is pretty basic, yet a little different on every machine. It is VERY important to refer to your manual when
first learning the procedure. If the threading isn't correct, nothing else will work either.
Here is a basic rundown of threading a sewing machine. Remember, each machine is different. This is just the general idea.
1. Put your spool of thread on the spindle on top of the machine.
1a. A vertical spindle or post - position the spool so that the thread runs clockwise as you sew.
1b. A horizontal spindle - the spool is held in place by an end cap. If your spool has a small cut in it, be sure to have the cut to the right.
NEWBIE TIP: If your spool is brand new and there are labels covering the holes, uncover yhour holes completely to allow the spool to turn easily.
2. Pull thread to the left of the spindle and thru your first thread guide.
3. Draw thread down thru your tension guide. (It is extremely important to have your presser foot UP when threading your machine.)
4. Draw thread thru the next thread guide.
5. Insert thread thru the take up lever.
6. Bring thread thru next thread guide.
7. Finally! - thread your needle. Most needles are threaded from front to back, some from left to right.
Practise threading your machine. It is no small chore if you are a beginner, but after a while you will be able to do this with your eyes closed.
WINDING YOUR BOBBIN - THE NEXT STEP
Follow the instructions from your manual carefully when winding your bobbin.
If your bobbin case is built in, the bobbin will be wound in place with the machine fully threaded.
Removable bobbins are wound on the top or side of the machine. Your machine must be threaded before bobbin filling.
Your bobbin thread must be drawn thru the tension spring. For wind in place bobbins, this is already taken care of. You MUST make sure this is done if
you are using a bobbin that already has thread in it.
BALANCING THE TENSION:
Balancing your tension is a huge issue when you first start to learn about your sewing machine. There is nothing that will cause you more grief than
your tension.
Your stitch is formed by interlocking the bobbin and needle thread. Every time the needle goes down, a hook catches the needle thread and wraps the
bobbin thread around it. It is a tug of war that must be synchronized for a good stitch result.
If your needle thread tension is stronger, your bobbin thread will be pulled to the top of your fabric. If your bobbin thread tension is stronger, the
needle thread will be visible on the underside of your fabric. When the tension is just right and evenly balanced, the stitch will lock in the middle,
halfway between the top and bottom of your fabric. This is what you want and have to find. It might take some playing around with your tension guide,
but worth the extra bit of time it takes.
TEST - TEST- TEST
The easiest way to test your tension is to thread your machine and put one colour thread in your machine with a totally different colour in your
bobbin. Neither one should match your fabric. You need to examine your stitches.
If your tension is too tight, you will see your bobbin thread on top.
If your tension is too loose, you will see your top thread on the bottom of the fabric.
If your tension is correct, you will see machine thread only on the top of the fabric and bobbin thread only on the underside of the fabric.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS:
BEFORE you start adjusting your tension, make these three checks. This is very important.
1. Be certain your machine is threaded properly. Even long time sew-ers can miss a thread guide.
2. Be sure your bobbin is properly installed.
3. Make sure your needle is inserted properly.
After going thru the three checks, you may have to adjust the tension in order to sew a good stitch. Check your manual to see how this is done. Each
time you have adjusted, sew a line of stitching. You should only have to make small, slight adjustments to correct your stitch.
If after what seems like an eternity of changes, you still don't have a balanced stitch, leave your machine. Don't even look at it for a few hours,
maybe a day or so. Then go back and try again. It could be you are tired, frustrated or distracted. It happens to all of us.
Or, it could be that your bobbin needs adjusting. Most sewing machine manufacturers don't want you to adjust your bobbin tension. If your manual
doesn't cover this area, then it is best to take your sewing machine in to a dealer or reputable repair man.
Happy Sewing!
ready to ... the machine is ... that
A few weeks ago I wrote a column on how to choose your sewing machine. If you have made your choice, we will continue on with getting your machine
ready to sew.
Threading the machine is something that is pretty basic, yet a little different on every machine. It is VERY important to refer to your manual when
first learning the procedure. If the threading isn't correct, nothing else will work either.
Here is a basic rundown of threading a sewing machine. Remember, each machine is different. This is just the general idea.
1. Put your spool of thread on the spindle on top of the machine.
1a. A vertical spindle or post - position the spool so that the thread runs clockwise as you sew.
1b. A horizontal spindle - the spool is held in place by an end cap. If your spool has a small cut in it, be sure to have the cut to the right.
NEWBIE TIP: If your spool is brand new and there are labels covering the holes, uncover yhour holes completely to allow the spool to turn easily.
2. Pull thread to the left of the spindle and thru your first thread guide.
3. Draw thread down thru your tension guide. (It is extremely important to have your presser foot UP when threading your machine.)
4. Draw thread thru the next thread guide.
5. Insert thread thru the take up lever.
6. Bring thread thru next thread guide.
7. Finally! - thread your needle. Most needles are threaded from front to back, some from left to right.
Practise threading your machine. It is no small chore if you are a beginner, but after a while you will be able to do this with your eyes closed.
WINDING YOUR BOBBIN - THE NEXT STEP
Follow the instructions from your manual carefully when winding your bobbin.
If your bobbin case is built in, the bobbin will be wound in place with the machine fully threaded.
Removable bobbins are wound on the top or side of the machine. Your machine must be threaded before bobbin filling.
Your bobbin thread must be drawn thru the tension spring. For wind in place bobbins, this is already taken care of. You MUST make sure this is done if
you are using a bobbin that already has thread in it.
BALANCING THE TENSION:
Balancing your tension is a huge issue when you first start to learn about your sewing machine. There is nothing that will cause you more grief than
your tension.
Your stitch is formed by interlocking the bobbin and needle thread. Every time the needle goes down, a hook catches the needle thread and wraps the
bobbin thread around it. It is a tug of war that must be synchronized for a good stitch result.
If your needle thread tension is stronger, your bobbin thread will be pulled to the top of your fabric. If your bobbin thread tension is stronger, the
needle thread will be visible on the underside of your fabric. When the tension is just right and evenly balanced, the stitch will lock in the middle,
halfway between the top and bottom of your fabric. This is what you want and have to find. It might take some playing around with your tension guide,
but worth the extra bit of time it takes.
TEST - TEST- TEST
The easiest way to test your tension is to thread your machine and put one colour thread in your machine with a totally different colour in your
bobbin. Neither one should match your fabric. You need to examine your stitches.
If your tension is too tight, you will see your bobbin thread on top.
If your tension is too loose, you will see your top thread on the bottom of the fabric.
If your tension is correct, you will see machine thread only on the top of the fabric and bobbin thread only on the underside of the fabric.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS:
BEFORE you start adjusting your tension, make these three checks. This is very important.
1. Be certain your machine is threaded properly. Even long time sew-ers can miss a thread guide.
2. Be sure your bobbin is properly installed.
3. Make sure your needle is inserted properly.
After going thru the three checks, you may have to adjust the tension in order to sew a good stitch. Check your manual to see how this is done. Each
time you have adjusted, sew a line of stitching. You should only have to make small, slight adjustments to correct your stitch.
If after what seems like an eternity of changes, you still don't have a balanced stitch, leave your machine. Don't even look at it for a few hours,
maybe a day or so. Then go back and try again. It could be you are tired, frustrated or distracted. It happens to all of us.
Or, it could be that your bobbin needs adjusting. Most sewing machine manufacturers don't want you to adjust your bobbin tension. If your manual
doesn't cover this area, then it is best to take your sewing machine in to a dealer or reputable repair man.
Happy Sewing!
Friday, November 20, 2015
Something From Nothing
Motocross racing is a rough sport. The tracks are full of tight curves, punishing whoops, deep ruts, 80-foot jumps, and more tight curves. Dropping the gates at the start of a race unleashes a swarm of forty or more riders fighting to get through the first turn ahead of the pack – all trying to occupy the same space at the same time. Rivals on high-performance motorcycles push and power over one another for the lead. A stalled bike or broken part here could mean a heap of wrecked bikes and injured riders in the middle of the track. The action is very quick, very close, and very personal. Bikes and riders get pushed to their limits – drive chains snap, forks bend, engine covers crack, and tempers flare. Throw in plenty of dirt, rocks, and mud, and you have one of the most popular sports in the world!
But to win, you have to finish. Motocross and off-road motorcycle riders demand rugged bikes that stand up to lots of abuse and deliver lots of power. But the bikes often suffer extreme mistreatment – a fact recognized by Nihilo Concepts, a Stuart, Florida, shop that designs and manufactures tough, critical components for motocross and off-road motorcycles. Bikes that are less likely to break are more likely to win.
The company got its start back in 2000, when a group of Florida motocross enthusiasts – although devoted to the dirt, dust, and stiff competition of the sport – decided they were a less than satisfied with the equipment. They wanted bikes that functioned better – giving them an edge over the competition – and they wanted their bikes to flash a little glitz!
These riders not only had a passion for bikes, but also a knack for machining. They formed Nihilo Concepts to manufacture innovative billet parts for off-road and motocross racing motorcycles that enhanced the durability and functionality of the bikes, while increasing the riders’ chances for success – and adding a touch of style.
“My father, Bob Brewster, rode bikes and raced when he was young,” explains Joe Brewster, the owner of Nihilo. “I’m four years younger than my brother, Bobby, and I started riding his hand-me-down bikes at the age of seven. We’d ride at local motocross tracks, as well as some areas close to home – but always off-road.
“Although I was a pretty good rider, I gravitated to the mechanical side of the sport,” he continues. “When I was about 17, I bought a knee mill through a newspaper ad, so I could make and modify small bike parts. It has just grown from there. I still have that machine today, and I will probably never sell it.”
Although his first mill was manual, Joe Brewster definitely saw the CNC light: Nihilo Concepts is an all-Haas CNC shop.
“My family owns WMR, the local KTM and Husqvarna dealer,” Joe says. “I own Nihilo Concepts, but my father and brother work together with me in both businesses. We’ve owned a motorcycle shop for 20 years, and we’ve always had an interest in racing bikes. Many of the competition teams made their own parts, or got them from China. But, to keep the cost of production down, they used plastic side covers and other components that were functional, but could be stronger – and they didn’t look that great. We decided to make our own products, because we wanted best-quality components, made here in the U.S.A.
“Our first product was what we call a skew,” he recalls. “It’s a rear chain-guide protector for 65cc KTM dirt bikes. We made the first one by hand – the long, hard way. Word spread quickly, and after a few weeks, the orders started to come in. We had a meeting and decided that if we sold 10, we’d buy a CNC mill. Sure enough, we quickly sold 10 – and the rest is history. We started with a used Haas Mini Mill, but we sold so much stuff that we could not keep up. So, we decided to expand and get more machines.”
But it isn’t enough for Nihilo components to just be rugged and functional; they also need to offer what they call the bling factor. Many of their customers enjoy spiffing up their bikes with parts that not only function better, but also look better. So Nihilo is especially attentive to style and finish: They design some parts with bold colors, some parts have the cool Nihilo tiki-mask logo, some sport the rider’s name – and all deliver a little island pizzazz.
“We use Haas machines,” says Joe. “And we especially appreciate the fact that Haas machines are made in America. We have three VF-2SS machines, a TL-2 Toolroom Lathe, and a Mini Mill. The high-speed spindles help us produce an excellent finish, while cutting down run times.
“We mostly use 6061 aluminum,” he continues. “We also cut some 303 and 304 stainless steel, and some Delrin?. We found that if we run insert cutters at .200" depth of cut and 100 ipm with full stepover, the spindle load is only at around 25 percent, and it cuts run time drastically. By switching to the Super Speed machines with the programmable coolant nozzle, we can easily run these numbers. At this rate, the cycle time is low, and inserts hold up very well.
“One of our most popular products is our ignition covers,” Joe points out. “We make these in two ops, starting with round stock cut into slugs. It is pretty straightforward: We face it off, cut the contours for the inside, then drill and pocket. For the second op, we use a custom soft-jaw setup, then face and contour with an insert for roughing, and then finish with a 3/8" carbide mill. We switched to custom-made taper mills instead of surface machining to save time.
“Another popular product is our clutch baskets,” Joe says. “We use 7-inch round 7075 aluminum, and cut it into 2.5-inch-thick slugs. Then we mill-cut the backside (the side with the lugs), before drilling and tapping. The part is then bolted into a dedicated fixture for facing, turning, and drilling. We keep the basket on the same fixture and transfer it to the 4th-axis to cut the teeth for a final part, ready for hard anodizing.
“We use a Haas HRT160 4th-axis rotary table to make our clutch baskets,” he adds. “It saves lots of set-up time, and it’s an easy way to increase the function of one of our VF-2SS machines. At first, we thought we would be taking it out when not in use, but it has not been removed from the machine since it was installed. We are continually finding new ways to use it. The rotary table operates with the machine’s control, and it is easy to program and use on many parts.
“The ease-of-operation of Haas machines is a big plus,” he states. “Our operators are familiar and comfortable with the Haas control, and that helps keep the process running smoothly. The fact that all our machines are Haas makes moving operators from machine to machine a breeze. I don’t foresee us buying any other brand of machine. We truly are a Haas shop.”
Nihilo Concepts makes ignition and clutch side covers custom engraved with the rider’s name and number. And they make case savers – small, strong parts that protect the engine case when a chain fails. They make performance motor parts, too, such as redesigned clutch baskets, gears, and cylinder heads. Nihilo also stands out because they make many parts not offered by their competition.
Nihilo products are designed and manufactured by racers who know how to recognize a problem and work out a solution. Their products evolve from ideas to the racetrack, and also from the racetrack to the shop. Racing also provides a great arena for testing parts, so Nihilo is deeply involved in the sport.
“We sponsor hundreds of racers throughout the U.S. and Europe,” Joe explains. “We sponsor lots of fast racers who really put the bikes through their paces, and every weekend, they are racing somewhere. We focus on the top amateur racers across the country – the kids who have a chance of turning pro – but we also support lots of top riders throughout the world. As part of their sponsorship, we ask them to provide results and updates, so I guess you could say we race every weekend. The feedback is extremely important. We find out pretty quickly what breaks or needs to be better, and start there.
“We will test in-house for a few months,” he says. “When we feel the part is ready, we will put it into the real world. Professional riders really put parts through the wringer, so we typically learn something new, and make adjustments after the pros have had their time testing. By doing this, we are able to produce a part that will stand up to the everyday abuse of motocross and off-road motorcycling.”
Joe’s system for success works very well for him. Racing gives him the ideas for innovative products, his shop makes the products, and he tests them at races . . . which gives him more innovative ideas!
“We constantly develop and design products,” Joe emphasizes. “And our Haas machines help with the prototypes. We like the conversational ability of our Haas lathe control. Many times, we need to make a one-off sample part, and having the ability to design it on the control screen saves hours of CAD time and conventional programming.”
Joe is committed to Haas because, as a customer, Haas is committed to him. He relies on Haas dependability and service.
“We have not had any issues at all with our newer machines,” Joe notes. “But we did have a belt wear out on the older Haas Mini Mill that we purchased used. The Haas Service Tech was fast and professional, and had us back running in short order. We purchased a few spare parts from the Haas Factory Outlet, and the parts were shipped on time and were delivered in good condition. You never feel alone if you have an issue; sometimes, a simple phone call is all it takes to get technical help, and we have fixed a couple issues that way, with no downtime.
“We really like the fact that everything is made here in the USA,” he continues. “Most of our competition offers products made overseas, and they just cannot match our quality and R&D. We use the best quality materials and only Haas CNC machines – and we keep our tolerances and finishes above the industry standard for these types of components.
“We have experienced double-digit growth every year since we started Nihilo, and have grown out of our current location” says Joe. “We are in the process of building a shop directly adjacent to I-95 in Stuart, Florida, and hope to be in within the year. We designed the machine shop to allow room for at least four more Haas CNC machines, and we’ve set the space up for maximum efficiency. We are very excited about the new shop, and can’t wait to get moved in and start making parts there.”
Nihilo Concepts products are made by motocross and off-road sports enthusiasts for their very demanding, rugged, and hard-on-equipment sport. But Joe Brewster has another passion.
“We have been machining Nihilo products for the last six years,” says Brewster. “And I have been teaching machining at Palm Beach State College, a Haas Technical Education Center (HTEC), for the last eight years. I went through their machining program there, and took an adjunct position to help out the night instructor. He retired after two years, and I took over. Now I have been teaching the night program there for eight years. They have all Haas machines there.”
“Our night program is 2 years long,” says Brewster. “It’s on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, and I usually have about 20 students. We provide hands-on training on a VF-2, a VF-2SS with 4th axis, a 5-axis VF-2SS with a Haas TR160 trunnion, and a DT-1 Drill/Tap Center. We also have a TL-1 Toolroom Lathe, an SL-20 turning center, and a ST-20Y turning center.”
Palm Beach State College (PBSC), in addition to its HTEC status, is a NIMS Certified school, and uses all the NIMS projects. PBSC also has a 1-year day program, with about 20 students, and graduates are in high demand. PBSC has a very high placement rate. The machining programs at PBSC work very closely with local industry and machine shops, and many students find jobs locally before they graduate.
So Joe Brewster closes the circle. He went to PBSC to learn the skills to be a machinist, and now teaches others the same skills that he learned. Perhaps his students will also use the skills they learn to start their own businesses – like he did with Nihilo.
By the way, the cool Nihilo Concepts tiki logo is a little misleading, but oddly appropriate for a machine shop. Joe explains that the word Nihilo is actually Latin, from the term Ex Nihilo, and refers to creation – something from nothing. Nihilo Concepts turns aluminum blocks (almost nothing) into complex components for some of the world’s top competition off-road bikes. And Nihilo has a tropical sound to it, ironically fitting for their South Florida location.
“My father told me that if you do what you love, you will never really work a day in your life,” Joe Brewster recalls. “I really feel that way today. I can’t wait to get to the shop and make something from nothing.”
But to win, you have to finish. Motocross and off-road motorcycle riders demand rugged bikes that stand up to lots of abuse and deliver lots of power. But the bikes often suffer extreme mistreatment – a fact recognized by Nihilo Concepts, a Stuart, Florida, shop that designs and manufactures tough, critical components for motocross and off-road motorcycles. Bikes that are less likely to break are more likely to win.
The company got its start back in 2000, when a group of Florida motocross enthusiasts – although devoted to the dirt, dust, and stiff competition of the sport – decided they were a less than satisfied with the equipment. They wanted bikes that functioned better – giving them an edge over the competition – and they wanted their bikes to flash a little glitz!
These riders not only had a passion for bikes, but also a knack for machining. They formed Nihilo Concepts to manufacture innovative billet parts for off-road and motocross racing motorcycles that enhanced the durability and functionality of the bikes, while increasing the riders’ chances for success – and adding a touch of style.
“My father, Bob Brewster, rode bikes and raced when he was young,” explains Joe Brewster, the owner of Nihilo. “I’m four years younger than my brother, Bobby, and I started riding his hand-me-down bikes at the age of seven. We’d ride at local motocross tracks, as well as some areas close to home – but always off-road.
“Although I was a pretty good rider, I gravitated to the mechanical side of the sport,” he continues. “When I was about 17, I bought a knee mill through a newspaper ad, so I could make and modify small bike parts. It has just grown from there. I still have that machine today, and I will probably never sell it.”
Although his first mill was manual, Joe Brewster definitely saw the CNC light: Nihilo Concepts is an all-Haas CNC shop.
“My family owns WMR, the local KTM and Husqvarna dealer,” Joe says. “I own Nihilo Concepts, but my father and brother work together with me in both businesses. We’ve owned a motorcycle shop for 20 years, and we’ve always had an interest in racing bikes. Many of the competition teams made their own parts, or got them from China. But, to keep the cost of production down, they used plastic side covers and other components that were functional, but could be stronger – and they didn’t look that great. We decided to make our own products, because we wanted best-quality components, made here in the U.S.A.
“Our first product was what we call a skew,” he recalls. “It’s a rear chain-guide protector for 65cc KTM dirt bikes. We made the first one by hand – the long, hard way. Word spread quickly, and after a few weeks, the orders started to come in. We had a meeting and decided that if we sold 10, we’d buy a CNC mill. Sure enough, we quickly sold 10 – and the rest is history. We started with a used Haas Mini Mill, but we sold so much stuff that we could not keep up. So, we decided to expand and get more machines.”
But it isn’t enough for Nihilo components to just be rugged and functional; they also need to offer what they call the bling factor. Many of their customers enjoy spiffing up their bikes with parts that not only function better, but also look better. So Nihilo is especially attentive to style and finish: They design some parts with bold colors, some parts have the cool Nihilo tiki-mask logo, some sport the rider’s name – and all deliver a little island pizzazz.
“We use Haas machines,” says Joe. “And we especially appreciate the fact that Haas machines are made in America. We have three VF-2SS machines, a TL-2 Toolroom Lathe, and a Mini Mill. The high-speed spindles help us produce an excellent finish, while cutting down run times.
“We mostly use 6061 aluminum,” he continues. “We also cut some 303 and 304 stainless steel, and some Delrin?. We found that if we run insert cutters at .200" depth of cut and 100 ipm with full stepover, the spindle load is only at around 25 percent, and it cuts run time drastically. By switching to the Super Speed machines with the programmable coolant nozzle, we can easily run these numbers. At this rate, the cycle time is low, and inserts hold up very well.
“One of our most popular products is our ignition covers,” Joe points out. “We make these in two ops, starting with round stock cut into slugs. It is pretty straightforward: We face it off, cut the contours for the inside, then drill and pocket. For the second op, we use a custom soft-jaw setup, then face and contour with an insert for roughing, and then finish with a 3/8" carbide mill. We switched to custom-made taper mills instead of surface machining to save time.
“Another popular product is our clutch baskets,” Joe says. “We use 7-inch round 7075 aluminum, and cut it into 2.5-inch-thick slugs. Then we mill-cut the backside (the side with the lugs), before drilling and tapping. The part is then bolted into a dedicated fixture for facing, turning, and drilling. We keep the basket on the same fixture and transfer it to the 4th-axis to cut the teeth for a final part, ready for hard anodizing.
“We use a Haas HRT160 4th-axis rotary table to make our clutch baskets,” he adds. “It saves lots of set-up time, and it’s an easy way to increase the function of one of our VF-2SS machines. At first, we thought we would be taking it out when not in use, but it has not been removed from the machine since it was installed. We are continually finding new ways to use it. The rotary table operates with the machine’s control, and it is easy to program and use on many parts.
“The ease-of-operation of Haas machines is a big plus,” he states. “Our operators are familiar and comfortable with the Haas control, and that helps keep the process running smoothly. The fact that all our machines are Haas makes moving operators from machine to machine a breeze. I don’t foresee us buying any other brand of machine. We truly are a Haas shop.”
Nihilo Concepts makes ignition and clutch side covers custom engraved with the rider’s name and number. And they make case savers – small, strong parts that protect the engine case when a chain fails. They make performance motor parts, too, such as redesigned clutch baskets, gears, and cylinder heads. Nihilo also stands out because they make many parts not offered by their competition.
Nihilo products are designed and manufactured by racers who know how to recognize a problem and work out a solution. Their products evolve from ideas to the racetrack, and also from the racetrack to the shop. Racing also provides a great arena for testing parts, so Nihilo is deeply involved in the sport.
“We sponsor hundreds of racers throughout the U.S. and Europe,” Joe explains. “We sponsor lots of fast racers who really put the bikes through their paces, and every weekend, they are racing somewhere. We focus on the top amateur racers across the country – the kids who have a chance of turning pro – but we also support lots of top riders throughout the world. As part of their sponsorship, we ask them to provide results and updates, so I guess you could say we race every weekend. The feedback is extremely important. We find out pretty quickly what breaks or needs to be better, and start there.
“We will test in-house for a few months,” he says. “When we feel the part is ready, we will put it into the real world. Professional riders really put parts through the wringer, so we typically learn something new, and make adjustments after the pros have had their time testing. By doing this, we are able to produce a part that will stand up to the everyday abuse of motocross and off-road motorcycling.”
Joe’s system for success works very well for him. Racing gives him the ideas for innovative products, his shop makes the products, and he tests them at races . . . which gives him more innovative ideas!
“We constantly develop and design products,” Joe emphasizes. “And our Haas machines help with the prototypes. We like the conversational ability of our Haas lathe control. Many times, we need to make a one-off sample part, and having the ability to design it on the control screen saves hours of CAD time and conventional programming.”
Joe is committed to Haas because, as a customer, Haas is committed to him. He relies on Haas dependability and service.
“We have not had any issues at all with our newer machines,” Joe notes. “But we did have a belt wear out on the older Haas Mini Mill that we purchased used. The Haas Service Tech was fast and professional, and had us back running in short order. We purchased a few spare parts from the Haas Factory Outlet, and the parts were shipped on time and were delivered in good condition. You never feel alone if you have an issue; sometimes, a simple phone call is all it takes to get technical help, and we have fixed a couple issues that way, with no downtime.
“We really like the fact that everything is made here in the USA,” he continues. “Most of our competition offers products made overseas, and they just cannot match our quality and R&D. We use the best quality materials and only Haas CNC machines – and we keep our tolerances and finishes above the industry standard for these types of components.
“We have experienced double-digit growth every year since we started Nihilo, and have grown out of our current location” says Joe. “We are in the process of building a shop directly adjacent to I-95 in Stuart, Florida, and hope to be in within the year. We designed the machine shop to allow room for at least four more Haas CNC machines, and we’ve set the space up for maximum efficiency. We are very excited about the new shop, and can’t wait to get moved in and start making parts there.”
Nihilo Concepts products are made by motocross and off-road sports enthusiasts for their very demanding, rugged, and hard-on-equipment sport. But Joe Brewster has another passion.
“We have been machining Nihilo products for the last six years,” says Brewster. “And I have been teaching machining at Palm Beach State College, a Haas Technical Education Center (HTEC), for the last eight years. I went through their machining program there, and took an adjunct position to help out the night instructor. He retired after two years, and I took over. Now I have been teaching the night program there for eight years. They have all Haas machines there.”
“Our night program is 2 years long,” says Brewster. “It’s on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, and I usually have about 20 students. We provide hands-on training on a VF-2, a VF-2SS with 4th axis, a 5-axis VF-2SS with a Haas TR160 trunnion, and a DT-1 Drill/Tap Center. We also have a TL-1 Toolroom Lathe, an SL-20 turning center, and a ST-20Y turning center.”
Palm Beach State College (PBSC), in addition to its HTEC status, is a NIMS Certified school, and uses all the NIMS projects. PBSC also has a 1-year day program, with about 20 students, and graduates are in high demand. PBSC has a very high placement rate. The machining programs at PBSC work very closely with local industry and machine shops, and many students find jobs locally before they graduate.
So Joe Brewster closes the circle. He went to PBSC to learn the skills to be a machinist, and now teaches others the same skills that he learned. Perhaps his students will also use the skills they learn to start their own businesses – like he did with Nihilo.
By the way, the cool Nihilo Concepts tiki logo is a little misleading, but oddly appropriate for a machine shop. Joe explains that the word Nihilo is actually Latin, from the term Ex Nihilo, and refers to creation – something from nothing. Nihilo Concepts turns aluminum blocks (almost nothing) into complex components for some of the world’s top competition off-road bikes. And Nihilo has a tropical sound to it, ironically fitting for their South Florida location.
“My father told me that if you do what you love, you will never really work a day in your life,” Joe Brewster recalls. “I really feel that way today. I can’t wait to get to the shop and make something from nothing.”
The Art of Machining
What is art? That question has plagued mankind for ages, and the answer varies greatly from person to person. To most, though, it probably falls into a few general categories, like paintings, drawings, and sculptures . . . you know, the stuff you find in museums and galleries. Sure, there are other forms of art – like music, theater, and motion pictures – but it’s a pretty sure bet that most folks don’t go looking for art at their local machine shop. In fact, they probably couldn’t even find their local machine shop . . . even if they knew what one was.
1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
2. works produced by human creative skill and imagination.
3. creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture.
4. a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.
Spring 2015 - Foreword
The Art of Machining
art| noun
1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
2. works produced by human creative skill and imagination.
3. creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture.
4. a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.
What is art? That question has plagued mankind for ages, and the answer varies greatly from person to person. To most, though, it probably falls into a few general categories, like paintings, drawings, and sculptures . . . you know, the stuff you find in museums and galleries. Sure, there are other forms of art – like music, theater, and motion pictures – but it’s a pretty sure bet that most folks don’t go looking for art at their local machine shop. In fact, they probably couldn’t even find their local machine shop . . . even if they knew what one was.
But they would find art there. Not in the form of framed paintings on the walls, alabaster figurines ensconced in glass cases, or marble sculptures perched atop pedestals. But the art is there. And usually, it is clearly displayed for the world to see, proudly showcasing the skills of the shop’s in-house artists – the CNC machinists.
I’ve yet to visit a machine shop that didn’t have a collection of finished p(art)s on display to show prospective customers their capabilities. Complex components sculpted from difficult-to-machine materials, tiny pieces with intricately machined details, decorative components with beautiful surface finishes, utilitarian devices with extraordinary form and function – they’re all art.
Each billet of raw material is a blank canvas; the cutting tools are the paintbrushes; the workholding is the easel; the machinist is the artist – and each finished part is a work of art.
But it’s not only the finished parts that are art. So is the process. The motions of the cutting tool and machine are a carefully choreographed dance, sculpting billet into part. The sound of an endmill taking a perfect cut is fine music to the machinist’s ears. The G-code program is the sheet music that directs the machine tool orchestra. It’s all art.
For our cover story, we visited Titan Gilroy, a true artist in both the classical and machinist sense. His mother was a talented artist, and he inherited the gene. While growing up, art was his refuge from street fighting. During a stint in prison, art was his salvation. And today, art is his passion – as he machines complex parts out of difficult materials for the aerospace, defense, subsea, and medical industries. His particular style of art – let’s call it Americanism – is all about running parts hard and fast, making money for his customers, and bringing work back to America. But Titan is not content to keep his artistry to himself; he’s taking his Americanist Movement to the masses through another form of art: a reality TV show about machining called TITAN – American Built. We take you inside Titan America MFG for a look at the artist at work.
We also take you inside the creative studios of numerous other machining artists around the world to see how they turn raw materials into art. You’ll see motocross art from Florida, medical implant art from Arizona, automotive art from Australia, aural art from Spain, motorcycle art (with an Italian flair) from Taiwan, and much more.
For our education piece, we visited Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington, which gears its training program toward getting graduating “artists” into jobs and apprenticeships at such local companies as Boeing. Thanks to state and legislative support, the school is able to provide first-class, hands-on training in a high-quality learning environment.
You’ll also find a selection of interesting industry news in Cycle Time, and a preview of additional content available online, such as helpful videos, customer case studies, and more.
It’s a jam-packed issue, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!
1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
2. works produced by human creative skill and imagination.
3. creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture.
4. a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.
Spring 2015 - Foreword
The Art of Machining
art| noun
1. the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
2. works produced by human creative skill and imagination.
3. creative activity resulting in the production of paintings, drawings, or sculpture.
4. a skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.
What is art? That question has plagued mankind for ages, and the answer varies greatly from person to person. To most, though, it probably falls into a few general categories, like paintings, drawings, and sculptures . . . you know, the stuff you find in museums and galleries. Sure, there are other forms of art – like music, theater, and motion pictures – but it’s a pretty sure bet that most folks don’t go looking for art at their local machine shop. In fact, they probably couldn’t even find their local machine shop . . . even if they knew what one was.
But they would find art there. Not in the form of framed paintings on the walls, alabaster figurines ensconced in glass cases, or marble sculptures perched atop pedestals. But the art is there. And usually, it is clearly displayed for the world to see, proudly showcasing the skills of the shop’s in-house artists – the CNC machinists.
I’ve yet to visit a machine shop that didn’t have a collection of finished p(art)s on display to show prospective customers their capabilities. Complex components sculpted from difficult-to-machine materials, tiny pieces with intricately machined details, decorative components with beautiful surface finishes, utilitarian devices with extraordinary form and function – they’re all art.
Each billet of raw material is a blank canvas; the cutting tools are the paintbrushes; the workholding is the easel; the machinist is the artist – and each finished part is a work of art.
But it’s not only the finished parts that are art. So is the process. The motions of the cutting tool and machine are a carefully choreographed dance, sculpting billet into part. The sound of an endmill taking a perfect cut is fine music to the machinist’s ears. The G-code program is the sheet music that directs the machine tool orchestra. It’s all art.
For our cover story, we visited Titan Gilroy, a true artist in both the classical and machinist sense. His mother was a talented artist, and he inherited the gene. While growing up, art was his refuge from street fighting. During a stint in prison, art was his salvation. And today, art is his passion – as he machines complex parts out of difficult materials for the aerospace, defense, subsea, and medical industries. His particular style of art – let’s call it Americanism – is all about running parts hard and fast, making money for his customers, and bringing work back to America. But Titan is not content to keep his artistry to himself; he’s taking his Americanist Movement to the masses through another form of art: a reality TV show about machining called TITAN – American Built. We take you inside Titan America MFG for a look at the artist at work.
We also take you inside the creative studios of numerous other machining artists around the world to see how they turn raw materials into art. You’ll see motocross art from Florida, medical implant art from Arizona, automotive art from Australia, aural art from Spain, motorcycle art (with an Italian flair) from Taiwan, and much more.
For our education piece, we visited Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington, which gears its training program toward getting graduating “artists” into jobs and apprenticeships at such local companies as Boeing. Thanks to state and legislative support, the school is able to provide first-class, hands-on training in a high-quality learning environment.
You’ll also find a selection of interesting industry news in Cycle Time, and a preview of additional content available online, such as helpful videos, customer case studies, and more.
It’s a jam-packed issue, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!
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