Conference Sessions
PPAP - Real World ValueThis session will focus on the key aspects of the PPAP process an how to make your shop more efficient when you prepare them. PMPA's Quality Committee will review the ideal PPAP process - from understanding the needs of the customer to the submission of the package. Real world examples will be discussed by multiple shops, because we all know not all things are 'ideal!' Come and learn how to embrace the PPAP process and learn how an effectively managed process can be a cost advantage for your company.
Putting More Power in Your Hour
With today's demands on our time, it is important to squeeze value out of each minute of our day. Krish Dhanam of Krish Dhanam Training Int'l. Inc. will share with attendees specific tools to use their time consistently across daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes. This session will focus on the use of technology and time management under 'stress' so you can plan your day by the clock, but live your life with a vision.
Automation and Robotics
This session will focus on the flexibility of robotics & automation, particularly as it relates to shops that produce precision manufactured components. This session will identify the decision steps that need to be reviewed when considering if robotics is right for your shop. Don Engles of Productivity Inc. is experienced with a number of installations and will guide you through the decision and implementation steps for a successful robotic solution in your shop.
Critical Process Thinking in the Quality Profession (Workshop)
This "training track" of programming will provide attendees with a deep look at the quality tools needed to take your company to the next level. Nationally known quality expert Mike Micklewright of HydraForce, Inc. will lead three unique training sessions. A certificate of completion, personally signed by Mr. Micklewright will be presented to participants who complete the 4.5 hours of training.
- Part 1 - Problem Solving Tools
Learn about the different options when trying to solve problems, including PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis, the Seven Basic Quality Tools, Is/Is Not Relationship, and the differences between Corrective and Preventive Action. - Part 2 - The Relationship Between Lean, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement
The second of a three part series. Kaizen events should not just occur because Lean is the "in" thing to do. There must be a reason or a problem to solve, and the root cause must be developed before haphazardly using lean tools. Learn how Lean should be deployed within your Quality Management System. Learn why the Lean tool of "5S" really exists and how it is much more than just a tool - it really is a mindset. Learn what Continuous Improvement really means and the benefits of Quick and Easy Kaizen. - Part 3 - "Nemawashi" - Choosing the Best Solution(s)
The last of a three part series. So now that you've defined the problem and determined the root cause(s), you should develop, review, and analyze many different alternatives. Discover the tool used by Toyota and is one of the key 14 Principles highlighted in "The Toyota Way." It is called "Nemawashi" and it is defined as "Make Decisions Slowly by Consensus, Thoroughly Considering All Options; Implement Rapidly".
What are today's leading edge technologies? PMPA's Machine Tool Builders will present videos of jaw dropping capabilities in this movie theater type environment. Come in and fasten your safety belts for this 'YouTube' type presentation of your machining future.
Process Engineering - The Quoting Process
Quoting is a high stakes, high value, high resource demanding process that ultimately can make (or lose) your shop a wheelbarrow of money. What are some best quoting practices? What are some options when "cycle time" is not the cost driver? What are some alternatives to handle bundled quote packages? How does your team 'know' your shop's capability? Tim Shuell of Metric Machining, Alex Puff of Micron Manufacturing Company, and Bill Wells of Precision Plus, Inc. will lead this conversational panel designed to get you thinking about how to improve one of your most important value added processes.
Tablets/Mobile Technologies on the Floor
Using today's technologies to respond to today's challenges can save your shop both time and money. Come see how other PMPA member companies use the latest technologies within their shops to save money, reduce lead times and provide best in class customer service. PMPA's Information Technologies Committee will lead this interactive session with demonstrations and recommendations for the latest and greatest in mobile devices and operating systems designed to help your shop reach optimal efficiency.
Dashboard Measurements
You would not drive your car without real time inputs, so why should you run your shop with day old, week old, or month old data? Don Corwin of Buell Automatics, Inc. will demonstrate his shop's real time operations dashboard so you can see under the hood and understand the benefits of real time shop operations intelligence.
Shop Safety - A Photo Tour
Join your guide, Miles Free of the Precision Machined Products Association on a photo tour of shop safety best practices (and some practices to avoid)! You'll never look at safety the same way again.
Less Chips = More Profits
Discover new machining opportunities using your existing equipment. Charles Ruecker of Core Powered simplifies the opportunity of machining with less chips by converting traditional bar parts into near net machined products.
Honing the "Tool Whisperer" in You
As machinists, we use all senses to get the maximum performance out of tools. We see the wear patterns on the tool or chatter on the part; we hear the rumble of the tool in cut which speaks to the effectiveness of our work-holding and tooling overhang; we feel the springiness of the resultant chip or the heat of the machined component to tell us if we can push it harder; we smell the burning of the oil if we are generating too much heat. Todd Hayes of HORN USA, Inc. , will show what happens at the cutting edge with high speed videos and review high magnification wear patterns so that you can further develop the 'tool whisperer' in you.
Preparing a Generation of Skilled Workers
With 10,000 baby boomers retiring each week and unfilled openings for skilled machinists a worldwide concern, the need for training programs to sustain our businesses has never been greater. Dave Phillips of G.W. Lisk Company, Inc. and Lynn Freid of Finger Lakes Community College will share the unique training partnership they developed based on our industry's need for talent.
GD&T - Orientation Tolerances
PMPA's highly rated GD&T trainer Gary Griffith of Griffith Training leads this interactive discussion on understanding orientation tolerances. Mr. Griffith has authored a number of books on GD&T and has helped many companies interpret and apply GD&T. Gary is consistently rated highly for his clear and understandable presentation on GD&T topics. This session will provide a brief overview of form, position and profile tolerances, but the focus of this session will be on orientation tolerances.
Knurling & Broaching
Creating geometries by knurling or broaching is a competency that falls below the radar at most shops. Rob Somma of Somma Tool Co. Inc. , will discuss the processes, materials and coatings involved in creating a broached feature, provide hints on how to set up a broach and identify troubleshooting tips. John Detterbeck of Lester G. Detterbeck Co. , will lead an examination of the knurling process including what is easy/difficult to knurl, speeds and feeds issues, and trouble shooting on the machine. Come and hear our speakers lead this discussion on everything you wanted to know about knurling and broaching but were afraid to ask.
Workshop: Leadership Gold
This "training track" of programming targets the supervisors and managers of your business. This two session program is presented by Jeremy Austin of Axiom Leadership (Buell Automatics Inc.) . Jeremy has been trained and certified by John Maxwell (the #1 leadership authority in the world) to help you be intentional in your lives and in the lives of others by working with purpose and having a solid plan. A certificate of completion, personally signed by Mr. Austin will be presented to participants who complete the 3.0 hours of training.
- Part 1 - Awareness & Personal Development
The toughest person to lead is always yourself - learn how to get out of your own way. This session will take a diagnostic look at where you are now in your leadership journey and how you can take the next step. You will learn the difference between management and leadership and understand why it is important to understand the distinction. You will review examples of leadership (good and bad) to help you get an understanding of your style and how you can improve. - Part 2 - People / Team Development
This is the second part of a two part series. Understand that leadership is all about being intentional in developing and getting the best from our people. It is focused on 'connecting' with people and developing relationships. You will explore leadership parameters - can everyone lead? What can be accomplished with team leadership? Recognize that people differ in the level of natural abilities; one leadership style does not fit all.
Laser technology, metal injection molding, and water jet operations. These competing processes to our machining world will be reviewed in depth by our panel of experts. Listen to Laird Parry of OMAX Corporation, Todd Jensen of Phillips Plastics Corp. - Metal Injection Molding, and Erich Bertsche of DMG / Mori Seiki USA, Inc. provide a basic understanding of what these technologies are, how they work and why someone in the precision machined parts world might want to use them.
In-Process Inspection Techniques
When was the last time that you challenged your operations to improve their measuring performance? This session will focus on ways to assure productivity and performance on your shop floor. Joel Rutzen of SPC Innovations, Inc. , will discuss the benefits of at the machine component inspection, and Steve Kerr of Renishaw Inc. will review in-process control techniques with a focus on the hardware and software technology available for in-process control.