Nathaniel Fields Associate Editor

Nate Fields joined the Modern Machine Shop team as a digital editor in the summer of 2021. In September 2022, He moved into a full-time writing role as an associate editor. He graduated from Ball State University in his hometown of Muncie, Indiana, twice. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2018 and a master’s degree in public relations in 2021.

Before joining MMS, Nate was a sports journalist. He was a full-time reporter in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, in 2018, where he received second place for sports photos in the 2018 Missouri Associated Press Media Editors newspaper contest.

Top 10 Modern Machine Shop Articles of 2023

By: Nathaniel Fields

Tips, custom macros and automation topics highlight the top articles published by Modern Machine Shop in 2023.

NEWS

CAD/CAM Helps Team Win Advanced Manufacturing Competition

Edited by Nathaniel Fields

Minnesota State College Southeast’s “Average Joes” team took home the grand prize at the 2023 Project MFG Advanced Manufacturing Competition.
#workforcedevelopment

Machines

Q&A: How a Self-Taught Machinist Started His Own Business

By: Nathaniel Fields

This machinist found an opportunity in a niche market and decided to learn machining and create his own business. Here's how he did it.

Finding Skilled Labor Through Partnerships and Benefits

By: Nathaniel Fields

To combat the skilled labor shortage, this Top Shops honoree turned to partnerships and unique benefits to attract talented workers.
#topshops #workforcedevelopment

Industries

Marposs Celebrates its Past, Eyes Future Opportunities

By: Nathaniel Fields

During its open house in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Marposs presentations focused on future opportunities across growing industries such as EV and semiconductors.

Automation

3 TASC Topics That Touch on Automation Considerations for Job Shops

By: Nathaniel Fields

Automation is no longer a luxury in manufacturing today – it’s a necessity. The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect job shops with experts who offer advice and considerations for this process.

CAD/CAM

Bringing Machining In-House to Keep up With Demand for Offroading Parts

By: Nathaniel Fields

This company brought its machining processes in-house to meet annual increases in demand, utilizing CAMWorks’ multi-axis milling solutions to boost production, shorten delivery times and support growth.

Automotive

Eliminating Automotive Defects Per Million With Automated Visual Inspection

By: Nathaniel Fields

This automotive manufacturer virtually eliminated PPM defect complaints after implementing an automated visual inspection system at its facility.

Machines

TTI Brings Specialty Gear Production In-House with Multiaxis Machining

By: Nathaniel Fields

By bringing gear production in-house, this manufacturer turned a four- to ten-week lead time into a one- to two-week lead time.

CNC & Mach Controls

From Tradition to Transformation: Century-Old Manual Machine Shop Adds CNCs

By: Nathaniel Fields

After 122 years of working with manual mills and lathes, this fifth-generation shop acquired assets of a local CNC machining business and hired the owner. Here’s how it’s going a year later.

Measurement

Electronic Bore Gage Automates Bore Data Acquisition

By: Nathaniel Fields

This new portable gage provides precision measurement and verification of custom parts with integrated data collection.

Shop Management Software

Becoming a More Efficient Shop With the Right Processes and Software

By: Nathaniel Fields

After refining its machining processes for more efficient production, this shop still needed a better way to track its data. Here's how it found a software solution.