This past week, the manufacturing sector navigated persistent economic headwinds, including ongoing tariff impacts, while simultaneously showcasing remarkable resilience and innovation. Significant labor agreements underscored the critical value of skilled trades, while groundbreaking initiatives were launched to revitalize U.S. manufacturing. Exciting advancements in additive manufacturing and smart factory technologies further highlighted a dynamic period for machinists, emphasizing the need for adaptability and continuous skill development to thrive in an evolving industrial landscape.
Key Machinist News & Trends
-
U.S. Manufacturing Sector Continues Contraction Amid Tariff Uncertainty
Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the third consecutive month in May, with the Manufacturing PMI® at 48.5 percent. This sustained contraction, following 26 straight months of decline, indicates persistent challenges, with survey respondents frequently citing “tariff uncertainty” and “ever-changing trade policies” as major disruptors. Despite the overall contraction, some sectors like Fabricated Metal Products and Machinery reported expansion, suggesting nuanced market conditions. However, an “unprecedented accumulation of inventory” combined with a decline in the orders-to-inventory index points to potential future production slowdowns. This complex environment highlights the ongoing impact of policy instability on consistent growth and long-term planning for the industry.
Published: June 2, 2025
Manufacturing PMI® at 48.5%; May 2025 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® -
Pratt & Whitney Machinists Secure New Contract, Ending Strike
Approximately 3,000 members of IAM Union Local 1746 and Local 700 at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut ratified a new four-year collective bargaining agreement on May 27, 2025, ending a three-week strike. The agreement, approved by 74% of members, ensures continued production of critical jet aircraft engines for military and commercial use. Key terms include a 6% wage increase in the first year, followed by annual increases, enhanced retirement security, and job stability guarantees through 2029. This successful ratification underscores the importance of skilled machinists in strategic manufacturing and could set a precedent for other sectors facing labor shortages.
Published: May 27, 2025
IAM Union Members at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut Achieve Contract Victory, Ending Three-Week Strike - IAM Union -
MIT Launches Major Initiative to Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing
On May 27, 2025, MIT announced its Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM), a comprehensive effort to reinfuse U.S. industrial production with leading-edge technologies and foster job creation. The INM, backed by founding industry members like Amgen and Siemens, focuses on reimagining manufacturing technologies, elevating productivity through AI, scaling new companies, and transforming the manufacturing base. It includes workforce and education programs like TechAMP, which bridges the gap between technicians and engineers, addressing skilled labor shortages. This initiative aims to shape the future of manufacturing by creating high-quality, human-centered jobs and integrating advanced digital tools.
Published: May 27, 2025
MIT announces the Initiative for New Manufacturing | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology -
FormFactor, Inc. Acquires New U.S. Manufacturing Facility FormFactor, Inc., a leading provider of test and measurement technologies for the semiconductor industry, announced on June 2, 2025, the purchase of a new manufacturing site in Farmers Branch, Texas. This $55 million acquisition includes four structures and 50,000 square feet of clean room space, aligning with the company’s strategic roadmap and providing significant operational flexibility. Located in a lower-operating cost region, the facility is one of few existing in the U.S. with the necessary infrastructure to meet future manufacturing needs. This investment addresses increased demand for FormFactor’s probe-card products, driven by the adoption of advanced packaging technologies like High Bandwidth Memory (HBM).
Published: June 2, 2025
FormFactor, Inc. Announces Purchase of New Manufacturing -
Automate 2025 Highlights Surging Demand for Robotics and Automation
Automate 2025, held in Detroit, celebrated record-breaking success on May 27, 2025, driven by a substantial increase in exhibitors and registrants, highlighting the rising demand for robotics and automation in manufacturing. The event focused on innovation and workforce development, featuring the Automate Startup Challenge and Educator Day. This surge reflects the growing integration of automation and robotics in CNC machining to improve efficiency, hold tighter tolerances, and lower costs. The increasing adoption of collaborative robots (cobots) and AI-powered process optimization is transforming production, making automation more accessible and enabling lights-out manufacturing.
Published: May 27, 2025
Automate 2025 News | ManufacturingTomorrow
Tools & Tips
-
Phillips Machinist App: Your Digital Manufacturing Assistant
Staying connected and enhancing skills is crucial for modern machinists, and the Phillips Machinist App offers a comprehensive mobile tool to support these needs. This application provides a wealth of on-demand resources, including official machine manuals, various calculators for shop floor tasks, and industry charts, making critical information readily accessible from a smartphone. Beyond practical tools, the app’s “Learning” and “Job Connect” features address the vital need for continuous professional development and career mobility in a rapidly evolving industry. By offering certified online courses and connecting manufacturing talent with industry vacancies, it directly contributes to combating the skilled labor gap and fostering career longevity for machinists.
https://phillips.education/US/machinist-app -
Leveraging 5-Axis Machining for Unprecedented Precision
As manufacturing demands increase for complex and intricate components, 5-axis machining capabilities are transitioning from a specialized technique to a more mainstream requirement for high-precision production. This advanced technique, highlighted by industry leaders like ENCYCAM, allows for the creation of complex parts from multiple angles in a single setup, significantly reducing setup times, minimizing scrap, and enabling the production of geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional 3-axis methods. The integration of 5-axis capabilities within advanced CAD/CAM software, exemplified by ENCY, further demonstrates how software is enabling greater precision and design freedom in machining. These sophisticated tools allow engineers and machinists to simulate and optimize complex toolpaths, predict potential issues, and achieve tighter tolerances before any physical production begins.
Maximizing Precision with 5-Axis Machining | FANUC ROBODRILL + ENCY CAD/CAM
Fun Fact
Did you know that the concept of automated control for machine tools has deep historical roots, dating back to the 18th century? While modern CNC machines are powered by sophisticated computers and servo motors, the very first steps towards automation involved punch cards! Invented by Basile Bouchon in 1725 and later improved by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1805, these cards were originally used to control looms by encoding data through punched holes. This groundbreaking method for automating textile patterns laid a foundational principle for data-driven control, demonstrating that the drive for automated processes is not a purely modern phenomenon but a continuous evolution of human ingenuity. This early innovation eventually paved the way for the numerically controlled (NC) machines of the mid-20th century, which are the direct ancestors of today’s advanced CNC systems.
6 inventions in the history of machining | Wisconsin Metal Tech the Essential guide
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Machinist events or utilized new Machinist tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.