This chart shows the S&P500 index versus the earnings of S&P500 companies.

Here, we can clearly see the increasing divergence between the value of the S&P500 companies and their earnings.

This would reinforce the narrative that the equity market has been driven by central bank liquidy rather than their underlying fundamentals.

Will 2021 mark the end of this divergence?

The answer to this question is what makes this chart one of the 4 to follow in 2021.

Aluminum is an essential element that is behind only silicon and oxygen in terms of its abundance in the earth’s crust. While materials like steel and copper have a longer use history, today aluminum is found in numerous applications across a wide swath of diverse industries.

The History of Aluminum

Aluminum ores had previously been identified but extracting it was a tricky and complex process until the late 1800s. At that time, the Hall- Heroult process of smelting aluminum — or extracting it from alumina, its oxide — was developed. In fact, at that point in time, aluminum was considered to be of greater importance than gold. With the refinement of its extraction processes, the metal became even more desirable and in demand.

The History of Aluminum Extrusion

Joseph Bramah, an English locksmith and inventor, is credited with being the first to patent a process for extrusion. In 1797, he did so to make lead pipe. This approach — albeit primitive by today’s standards — set the stage for later innovations. He forced the metal into a die by using a plunger that he held in his hand. By 1820, a hydraulic press created by Thomas Burr made the process easier. In 1894, Alexander Dick invented the first hot extrusion press. It was with this invention that the extrusion process could be extended to work on nearly all non-ferrous alloys.

How Aluminum Extrusion Changed the World

With improvements in extrusion processes came a significant increase in the amount of cut and finish manufacturing projects that could be completed. This dramatic risk was particularly notable within the automotive industry. However, the auto industry is not the only one that has adopted aluminum extrusion and enjoyed its benefits. While wires and pipes were the bulk of the earliest extrusions, today that can be found in diverse environments spanning the high-tech aerospace industry to sporting goods and more.

The industrial sector — particularly the automotive business — was the recipient of much of this newfound supply of aluminum but it was not its sole focus. During the first and second world wars, aluminum extrusion and its ability to reduce lead times made it possible for aircraft to be manufactured quickly and accurately. It was this reliance on aluminum extrusion that served as a propellant of the method beyond its use in the automotive, military and aerospace industries. While still heavily in use in these industries today, the process is also used extensively in everything from consumer goods to housing and more.

The Future of Aluminum Extrusion

Aluminum extrusion continues to break new ground with improvements in materials and processes as they are tested, expanded and implemented. Precision and accuracy are possible with these technological advances. Having the ability to use aluminum — with its lightweight and diverse properties — improves the performance of the part.

3ERP works extensively with aluminum, along with a variety of other metals and materials. We encourage you to contact us with any questions about our services or to learn how we can partner with you on your next project.

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Dec
02

James (Jim) Zehnder, passed away November 25, 2019 at the age of 84 (two weeks shy of his 85th birthday). He is survived by his wife of more than 62 years, Margaret; his son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Cindie Zehnder; daughters, Mary and her husband, Faron Cajthaml, and Barbara Zehnder. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Joshua, Erin, Caleb, Claire, Hope, Grace, Brooke, and Sam; great-grandchild, Naomi.

Jim was an ordained Lutheran minister for more than 20 years, was also the CEO of the family business, a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and was an active member of the Rotary.  He enjoyed feeding birds, working in his backyard, wood-working, and exercise.

Like his brother John and father Paul, Jim served in the NFDA for many years.

Click here for more information.

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Natalis: the trade show

Natalis is the largest market in Lisbon on Christmas items. The event brings together all kinds of Christmas articles, from the decor, gifts, crafts, and traditional to gourmet cuisine, without leaving out the jewelry and fashion accessories.

During the event, taking place of entertainment and activities for the whole family. The income from ticket sales is donated to charities.

Event profile Natalis

• Industries: Christmas, Christmas decorations, Fashion accessories, Craft, Christmas food, Fashion, Hotel industry, Art, Decoration
• Frequency: anual
• Scope: Nacional

Next edition Natalis

• From Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 December 2022
• Venue:
  FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa
• City: Lisboa
• Country: Portugal
• More info.: natalis.fil.pt

Natalis editions

Natalis 2021	From 3 to 7 December 2021	FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa
Natalis 2020	From 27 November to 1 December 2020	FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa
Natalis 2019	From 5 to 9 December 2019	FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa
Natalis 2018	From 5 to 9 December 2018	FIL Feira Internacional de Lisboa

May
11

Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company, also known as “the dedicated fastener people”, is celebrating 50 years of business on May 24th, 2023!

Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company has an extensive inventory of nuts, bolts, and screws. The saying goes, “If we don’t have it, we can find it, if we can’t find it, it doesn’t exist.” Fasteners are used in different applications and are needed across many industries. The diversity of their uses and the industries that use them are a key element of our company’s stability and longevity.

Our Founder, Herb Somers, had a vision for his fastener business that was simple and straightforward which led to the successful business it is today. His vision includes core principals such as cultivating a diverse customer base, treating customers like you want to be treated, knowing what you do well and do it, and hiring the right people.

After Herb’s passing, that vision was upheld by his three sons Scott, Matt and Marc and they continue his legacy today. In 50 years, Mid-States Bolt & Screw Co. has grown from a business out of its founders’ basement to a multi-state, international business, with anticipated growth in the future.
We are proud to say our headquarters are in Burton, Michigan. In 2019, we added another warehouse for our expanding Kitting Department, one of our services we provide to customers. Other services we provide include: Industrial Supplies, MRO, VMI Programs and Industrial Vending Machines.
We also have locations in Saginaw, Lansing, Gaylord, Norton Shores, Shelby, Niles, MI, Statesville, NC, and in Perrysburg, OH. We have several crib locations in many states and two other countries, Mexico and Canada.

If you ask the locals, Mid-States Bolt & Screw Co. is an integral part of the community. Settling itself in these different locations and becoming the fastener favorite to the surrounding areas. Another example of our community involvement is our non-profit charity we started, Threads for Treads, T4T, which provides shoes and boots to local school students who are in need.

All of our success would not be possible without our wonderful employees. Many of our team members have been with us for over 10 years. Several employees have been with the company much longer and had the distinct pleasure of working with our founder, Herb Somers, prior to his passing. The Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company started small but was built on big family values. We know our people are what make us successful, and we trust our team to help us achieve our goals. A special thank you to our Mid-States family!

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Understanding CNC Machine Safety

CNC router safety is not to be ignored. CNC routers and plasma tables are highly advanced and powerful machines that allow us to perform precise work on an accelerated timeline. But they’re so high-powered and efficient they can also be dangerous if not used properly.

Safety should always come first at home or in the shop. Using your machine safely will also extend its life and produce a higher-quality product. Proper training, regular maintenance, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines are essential for safe CNC machine operation. Although we always recommend consulting with a safety advisor for your shop needs, here are some key best practices to utilize in your CNC work to ensure a safe and effective result.

KNOW YOUR MACHINE WITH PROPER TRAINING

The first and most important rule of safety in CNC work is understanding how to use your machine to perform your intended task properly. Using a machine you’re not trained to use or simply guessing at specific steps of a particular process can be a dangerous way of doing business. It is likely to result in a low-quality product and added wear and tear on your machine. Proper training is essential to ensure you understand and can operate the machine safely and effectively.

Before you dive in, make sure you understand and have a plan for what you’re doing. If you don’t, don’t be afraid to consult an industry professional or turn to your manual for guidance.

Ensure your safeguards are in place

Most CNC machines have built-in safety mechanisms to protect the machine and the user during work. These typically include curtain guards, contact mats, an emergency stop button, and more. These mechanisms are built into the machine for a reason, and you should make sure they are set up properly before you begin your work.

Understanding and using the control panel is crucial for safety. It allows machinists to manage different operational levels of machinery through a locking key switch. This switch ensures that the right level of access and restrictions are enforced based on the task at hand.

In some cases, it may be necessary for you to install safety mats and guards as determined for your and your employee’s safety.

PRACTICE SHOP SAFETY WITH PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

If you’ve spent enough time in the shop whether at home or professionally, you’re no doubt aware of the many basic safety guidelines inherent in such a setting. These include:

• Wearing eye and ear protection
• Wearing closed-toe shoes or boots
• Containing long hair when near the machine
• Standing clear of the machine during operation
• Powering down and cleaning the machine after each use
• Avoiding loose clothing to prevent entanglement in machinery

Following these simple guidelines already puts you on a positive track to promoting proper safety in all other work areas. As soon as you start slacking in these easier areas, it’s easy to let yourself slide into different areas, so ensure the simple safety tasks are taken care of.

Dont modify your machine

It may be tempting to make unauthorized alterations to your machine to make it perform a certain way, but doing so can have dangerous effects on its operation and can also damage its components. Accessories and additional options are available for many CNC machines that will help you safely achieve your desired result.

Unauthorized modifications can lead to faulty wiring, which poses severe electrical hazards such as electric shocks and fires, endangering the operator and the overall workspace.

Knowing your machine also means working within its specified capabilities and not trying to make it perform tasks it’s not designed to perform.

Again, many machines are engineered to operate in a specific way, and any alteration can have a ripple effect.

DOUBLE-CHECK BEFORE OPERATING CNC MACHINES

There are several things you should confirm before completing a cut, including:

• That the machine isn’t running
• That the tools are set correctly
• That the correct tool data is set
• That the spindle and machine direction are properly set
• The cutting tools are sharp, and none of them are cracked or chipped
• That the hold-down method is properly installed and functioning

You should also make sure the bit path is clear of obstructions. Failure to do so could result in the obstruction becoming part of your project or shooting in the direction of you or someone else in the shop.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS FOR CUTTING TOOLS

Other essential safety tips to practice on an ongoing basis center around keeping the machine clean and well-maintained before and after every use. This will extend the life of your machine and will also produce higher-quality work consistently.

Additionally, be aware of the chemical hazards associated with cutting fluids and coolants. Direct exposure to these substances without appropriate protective equipment can lead to potential health complications.

ShopSabres industry-best CNC machines provide precision, efficiency, and total versatility to help shops produce truly outstanding results with a fraction of the labor. Let the machine do the work.

Contact us today to give your next project a boost toward unmatched results.

What is on-demand rapid tooling and low-volume molding?

From the dashboard of your car to the lid of your coffee cup, billions upon billions of everyday objects are brought into the world by molding, a process in which a hollow container is filled with a molten material to produce large numbers of a single object.

Since molding allows multiple copies of a single product to be produced, it is usually associated with mass manufacturing. However, with new digital manufacturing technologies like additive manufacturing (3D printing) and CNC machining, it is now possible to create a kind of prototype mold in an extremely short space of time. This process is known as rapid tooling.

While molds created via rapid tooling are not usually used for the mass production of objects, they can still be used to produce many copies of a single item. For this reason, low-volume molding — the creation of small quantities of molded products — is often carried out in conjunction with rapid tooling, giving customers a batch of a prototype product rather than just a single copy.

The advantages of rapid prototyping and low-volume molding are numerous. What follows is an overview of some of the key benefits of the two related processes.

Advantages of rapid tooling and low-volume molding

One of the biggest advantages of rapid tooling is right there in the name: speed. Since digital manufacturing technologies like additive manufacturing and CNC machining can be used to create molds in a very short space of time, rapid tooling service providers can offer fast turnarounds on products made with those molds. For businesses, that means getting hold of products faster and getting them to market sooner.

There are also big cost advantages to rapid tooling. Since the bulk of the process involves just a computer and an automated machine like a 3D printer, rapid tooling ends up being far cheaper than traditional toolmaking, with cost savings passed on to the customer. This results in affordable molded products even in low volumes.

Besides time and cost savings, there are other more specific benefits to rapid tooling and low-volume molding, some of which relate to the digital manufacturing processes used to create the molds. Since CAD is used to create the mold, manufacturers can ensure consistency across several molds by simply reusing the same digital file. Digitally creating these tools also allows for easy optimization of cooling channels and other features, and for quick modifications on future molds.

On-demand rapid tooling and low-volume molding is also, for several reasons, an effective precursor to mass manufacturing a product.

For one, rapid tooling can be used to mold products in a range of materials, and since the molds can be produced extremely quickly, manufacturers can make small quantities of a product in different materials and finishes, helping the customer decide on the ideal configuration for their product.

Secondly, such prototype molds are useful for bridge production, when, for example, a customer needs to get the first batch of products to market before regular tooling has been completed. Low-volume molding of a product can also help a customer iron out any previously unnoticed flaws in a product before moving on to mass production.

On-demand rapid tooling and low-volume molding with 3ERP

With many years of experience in the rapid prototyping industry, China’s 3ERP is an expert in rapid tooling and low-volume molding, possessing both the skills and equipment to reap the advantages of the processes.

In terms of its rapid tooling capabilities, 3ERP is able to offer two metal options: aluminum mold tooling, which is highly cost-effective and suitable for prototypes, and steel mold tooling, which can be used with abrasive, corrosive, and engineering-grade plastics and which can be used to make millions of molded parts — ideal for bridge production. Molds can be made according to DME, HASCO and LKM standards.

Those metal mold options are, however, just the start of the material possibilities offered by 3ERP. When the molds are ready for use, customers are provided with significant flexibility in the ensuing low-volume molding stage.

Molded products can be made from a wide range of plastics, including nylons, polycarbonates and thermoplastic elastomers, and are available in a large number of colors and finishes, including laser finishing and heat staking.

Best of all, customers around the world can expect their prototype molded parts in as little as 15 days. Get in touch with 3ERP to see if its rapid tooling and low-volume molding services are suitable for your needs.

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