All posts by bmedia
A Look Inside a Machine Shop
A modern machine shop is less about lone genius and more about calm, repeatable systems. Jobs move through a predictable flow—intake, planning, setup, cutting, inspection, and shipping—so parts leave on time and to print. If you’ve never toured a shop, here’s what actually happens between “send RFQ” and “ship date,” and why seemingly small details—stable […]
5 Signs Your Tools Need Critical Care
In production, tools rarely fail without warning. They whisper first: finish turns hazy, offsets creep, a cut starts to sing. Knowing which signals matter lets you pull a tool early enough to save the part—and late enough to capture full value from each edge. Below are five signs your Cutting tools need critical care, plus […]
Grinding vs. Sharpening Tools: Best Practices
“Grinding” and “sharpening” get used interchangeably, but they solve different problems. Sharpening restores the cutting edge so a tool can make clean, predictable chips again. Grinding is controlled material removal to change geometry, correct wear beyond the edge, or refine a surface finish. Knowing which path to choose—and how to set up the job—keeps people […]
How Often Do Tools Need to Be Sharpened?
How Often Do Tools Need to Be Sharpened? Short answer: it depends. Fixed calendars ignore what actually wears a tool—material, setup, feeds and speeds, coolant, and how rigid your workholding is. A safer, more productive approach is condition-based maintenance for your Cutting tools and a simple rhythm for inspection. The goal isn’t to polish rules; […]
Benefits of Choosing a Local Machine Shop
Choosing a local machining partner is about more than mileage. Proximity turns complex work into a faster, clearer process: questions get answered in hours, not days; design changes can be reviewed at the machine; and accountability is obvious because the people doing the work are close enough to see and solve issues with you. For […]
The Importance of Proper Machine Shop Safety
In a machine shop, safety isn’t an extra step. It’s how people, parts, and schedules stay predictable. Accidents usually come from surprises: a part that shifts, a tool that grabs, or a setup that wasn’t quite dialed. The fix is a culture of calm, repeatable steps. Keep the guidance simple, avoid promises you can’t verify, […]
NTM Celebrates 45th Anniversary with Open House
On November 3, 2021, NTM Inc. celebrated the 45th anniversary of its founding by hosting an open house and plant tour for customers, suppliers, local businesses, elected officials and employees’ families. Visitors enjoyed light refreshments while they toured the plant and learned about NTM’s operations and capabilities.
NTM in Humans of Manufacturing
See SME's latest Humans of Manufacturing article featuring Barb Dorumsgaard and Cynthia Blue of NTM.
NTM INC Receives National Certification as Women Owned Business
NTM is proud to be a Women Owned Business. See the article from PR News Wire.