Free Republic

Your car. Your phone. The spare change in your pocket. They have one thing in common: A machinist helped to make all of them. “Most people don’t understand how products get made,” said Kurt Kimberling, an instructor in the Machining and CNC Technology program at North Idaho College. He has more than 30 years of industry experience. “Machinists have a hand in everything you use on a daily basis.” At NIC, Kimberling teaches basic to advanced machining concepts, such as precision measuring, operating a milling machine, and operating computer numerical control (CNC) machines. Students can earn an intermediate or advanced...

When it comes to 3D printers, they can be used to make all sorts of objects, via additive manufacturing. However, many ‘makers’ (people who utilize their creative abilities to ‘make’ things) use more than just 3D printers when trying to visualize their ideas in creating tangible objects. CNC machining, as well as laser engravers are used by many individuals in creating complete products, made from a multitude of materials and processes. One problem with this, is that all of these processes currently require individual machinery. For example, many ‘makers’ end up needing to purchase, store, and operate a 3D printer,...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2007 – When one of its employees was deployed to Iraq for National Guard duty, the Ultra Machining Company reached out to take care of him and his family while he was gone. Those efforts have earned the Monticello, Minn., company a top Defense Department award. The employee, Sgt. Lou Jacobson of the Minnesota National Guard, was so impressed with the support he received during his deployment that he nominated the company for a Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Ultra Machining Company, or UMC for short, is among 15 businesses and organizations selected this...

U.S. trade policy has become foreign policy and has left the United States on the precipice of economic ruin. That was the message Thursday of a delegation from the American Manufacturing Trade Coalition. The group, led by Spartanburg textile magnate Roger Milliken, met with editors of The State over concerns about U.S. trade with China and an upcoming congressional vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which would reduce trade barriers in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. “The CAFTA vote is a critical vote for the future or our country,” said Milliken, who helped found the lobbying organization two...