b'Lead AngleA SHOT IN THE ARMB usiness may not be back to pre-pandemicnumbers from the CTMR reflect a healthy levels across the board, but the U.S.comeback in the making.Cutting Tool Institutes spring meeting and the latest economic indicators are a welcomeMachining Aluminum Webinarshot in the arm for the industry.Held in mid-May as state governmentsJoin CTE at 2 p.m. Central time July 15 began rolling back mask and social distancingfor our Ask the Experts webinar exploring requirements, the USCTI meeting at the Hyattthe difficulties associated with machining Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa inaluminum. We have invited industry experts Bonita Springs, Florida, might not have beento be on our panel to address common what the doctor ordered, but it certainly wasquestions about machining aluminum, what the 90-plus attendees needed: a chanceincluding:to chat face to facedespite the fact that anHow does one avoid forming long, stringy major topic of conversation was the economicchips that can wrap around tools and parts impact of the pandemic. and lead to re-cutting?It turns out that many of the companiesnWhat advancements in machine and represented at the meeting had reason forcutting tool technology have been developed optimism because the cutting tool industryspecifically for machining aluminum?overall had begun to rally by the end of thenHow would machine and cutting tool first quarter. recommendations differ for shops handling U.S. cutting tool consumption went fromsmall-to-moderate-quantity jobs versus large-$149.5 million in February to $177.6 million inquantity jobs?March and $170 million in April, according toWebinar attendees also will get a the Cutting Tool Market Report produced bychance to pose their own questions USCTI and The Association for Manufacturingto our panel. Scan the QR code Technology. Granted, Aprils cutting toolwith your smartphone or enter this orders fell shy of Marchs totals, but year-over- URL on your web browser to register: cteplus.year cutting tool consumption for April 2021delivr.com/2eswp.CTEwas up 26.3% over April 2020.Whats more, year-to-date cutting tool orders through April 2021 reached $641.9about the author million, which is about 6.4% less than the YTD total for the same period in 2020. In FebruaryDennis Spaeth is CEO and 2021, the YTD gap was at 20.2% comparedpublisher of CTE. Contact him with the previous year. at 847-714-0176 or dspaeth@Although still trailing 2020 levels, thectemedia.com.4JULY 2021LeadAngle.indd 4 6/18/21 12:12 PM'