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It's not that hard
For a while, back at the turn of the century, it seemed awfully important to companies to generate mission statements. Why? It's hard to tell. I think a lot of the need was produced by middle managers who read too many management books.
What is a mission statement? It's a short – well, it's supposed to be – phrase that capsulizes what a business, or business unit, is supposed to be doing. How hard could that be? Wouldn't a business know its . . . well . . . business? Not if you read some of those things.
They're usually put together by committees of people who have, or are working on, MBAs. They may know the theory of business, but in most cases, they are just a shade beyond pre-verbal. Instead of boiling-down the essence of their work into a 25-words-or-less statement, most of these people come from the "more is better" school of writing, especially if they can use the word "utilize."
If they can't think of the correct word, they reach into their limited vocabulary and cobble together portmanteau hyphenated words, like "war-fighter" instead of "soldier" or "warrior." They think it makes them sound erudite.
In my days as a tech writer for National City Bank, a section of the IT department came up with a 50-word mission statement that included such clinkers as "thought-leader." What the heck is that?
The whole mission statement fad became so popular that the Dilbert comic strip had, for a time, an online mission statement generator that produced such vacuous statements as
"Our goal is to efficiently utilize inexpensive data while continuing to professionally leverage other's excellent intellectual capital in order to solve business problems"
"We have committed to synergistically fashion high-quality products so that we may collaboratively provide access to inexpensive leadership skills in order to solve business problems"
"It is our job to continually foster world-class infrastructures as well as to quickly create principle-centered sources to meet our customer's needs"
"Our challenge is to assertively network economically sound methods of empowerment so that we may continually negotiate performance based infrastructures"
Sadly, the parodies sounded much like those produced by the corporate drones.
But, a true statement of a business' goals should be simple. Feel free to use these:
"Do good, avoid evil."
"We're here to produce good stuff for money."
"Keep the customers satisfied."
See, it's not that hard.
Unilock is the key
The Unilock Starter Kit from Stevens Engineering and BIG Kaiser
Stevens Engineering Inc. and
BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. introduce the Unilock Starter Kit. The kit lets users plug the components into their production cell when it supports a Stevens Engineering mounting grid pattern to eliminate setup time. The kit contains universal pallets that lets the user attach and detach positioning and clamping components or workpieces. Starter Kits support the Stevens Engineering grid pattern with other grid spacing available upon request. Unilock can be used to exchange work pieces in excess of 5,000 lb, however these kits are designed for use with small parts and fixtures that can be shuttled by hand or robot from one process to another. For information about Stevens Engineering products, call 800-635-0657, or
e-mail the company. For more information about BIG Kaiser Unilock Starter Kits or other products, call 847-228-7660,
e-mail BIG Kaiser.
Beveled edges with a waterjet
The OMAX A-Jet waterjet nozzle cuts beveled edges
OMAX introduces its A-Jet, which cuts beveled edges at angles determined by the machine operator or part program. Controlled by the company’s proprietary Intelli-MAX software, the A-Jet adds two motion axes that allow nozzle tilting of 0 to 60° from the vertical position. The component can be used to produce beveled edges when cutting countersunk holes. It also can cut parts with complex geometries. The accessory features a fixed focal point design, where the X-, Y-, and Z-axes need not be moved as the head tilts. The A-Jet is supplied with a diamond-integrated MAXJET 5i nozzle. It has large-diameter tubing with minimal pressure loss, for the use of large high-power nozzles. For more information, call Sandra McLain at 800-838-0343, and tell her you saw this at
Milling Around.
Two-axis table for laser machining
The Steinmeyer LT490-450-EDLM 2-axis stage system for laser machining
Steinmeyer, Inc. offers its LT490-450-EDLM 2-axis system for laser machining as well as other extended travel applications. It’s an enclosed 2-axis stage with 450mm stroke. It contains iron-core linear motors, linear guideways, linear measuring system and E-chain cable carriers. Maximum speed is 500mm per second with acceleration of 5m/s². Accuracy in each direction is 1µ with ±0.5µ repeatability. For further information, call 781-273-6220.
Cam levers for workholding
Cam levers by Kipp and Imao from Fixtureworks
Fixtureworks has just released a series of cam levers developed by Kipp, a manufacturer of manual operating elements and Imao, a producer of fixturing clamps, and machine tool accessories. The cam levers are designed to provide ergonomic clamping of part fixtures. There is a selection of 17 different handles with mounting options, sizes, profiles and clamping force ratings. The levers are outfitted with either internal female threads or with male threaded studs for attaching to fixture bases, plates, tombstones, machine tables, or other workholding elements. Once the preliminary assembly and tightening of the threaded elements is completed – like traditional clamping fasteners – the cam action handles allow for quick final clamping or unclamping without the use of tools. The cam lever is pushed downward with minimal hand force, which generates approximately 200 to 1,800 lb of clamping force, depending upon the size range of the lever. Forces are created with as little as 0.050"/0.060" lever travel in the Kipp units, and 0.07" to 0.129" travel with the Imao handles. To unfasten, the handle is pulled up which releases the clamping pressure, allowing part removal for unloading and loading. In addition to male or female thread mounting options, the cam levers come in inch and metric internal threads, plus inch and metric external threaded selections. The Imao levers have female threaded bushings only, with thread sizes from M4 to M8 for mounting to fixture bases. Kipp cam lever handles are constructed from cast aluminum or stainless steel, while the Imao levers are fabricated from steel with black oxide finish; a setscrew and internal pad are included to help prevent the levers from backing off and loosening during operation. For more information, call 586-294-1188.
Honing in on smoothness
Sunnen\'s TC tool for honing small two-stroke cycle engine cylinders
Sunnen's TC tool is custom-engineered for honing small two-stroke cycle engine cylinders to solve problems such as blind, ported, and tapered bores, and hard surface coatings, such as Nikasil and chrome plating. The tool easily fractional micron – 0.00004" – accuracies and specific surface finishes for increased power production, fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and engine durability. Equipped with metal-bond superabrasives, TC tools use customized abrasive mounting, that holds up to a dozen stone segments of various lengths. Strategic placement of the abrasives produces roundness and a consistent finish from top to bottom in blind bores. Each tool is tuned to the application based on length and number of abrasives that lets the tool bridge across ports, minimizing washout of the port edges to maintain ring seal for increased power and engine life. For additional information, call 800-325-3670, or
e-mail Sunnen.
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