FactoryLink Friday

Eddie Krall • May 9, 2025

My Journey with Swiss Lathes — and a Shoutout to GenSwiss

     I (Eddie Krall) started my own company in the 1990s manufacturing dental handpieces, components, and accessories. At the time, most products on the market were made overseas, so I needed cost-effective manufacturing methods to remain competitive. Many of these parts required extensive post-machining operations like grinding and finishing. That’s when I began exploring Swiss lathe machines. Learning from scratch, I was able to produce parts complete—without any second-operation machining. As part complexity increased, I quickly discovered a limitation: the number of tools I could fit into the machine. Space inside a Swiss lathe is tight, and every new tool took up valuable clearance. I needed tool positions capable of machining more than one feature per setup.

Enter GenevieveSwiss—now known as GenSwiss.


     The founder of GenSwiss was raised in the world of Swiss machining, mastering both tool selection and toolpath programming. He recognized the gap in the industry and filled it with niche tool holders, tooling, and accessories designed to expand the capabilities of Swiss machines. From day one, GenSwiss provided solutions that were innovative and truly “out of the box.” While today many companies offer tooling packages for Swiss machines, GenSwiss remains the gold standard. As I reflect on my journey in the metalworking industry, I’m reminded of how GenSwiss got it right from the beginning. Here’s a look at my personal “Catalog Museum”—a collection of GenSwiss catalogs through the years. Compact, easy to navigate, and always within reach on my desk.


Cheers to you, GenSwiss—and thank you for the knowledge, support, and innovation you’ve brought to this industry.

🎄 Factory Link Inc. Holiday Reflections: The Season of Making, Giving, and Growing

By Keith Brown • December 26, 2025
As the year draws to a close, the team at Factory Link Inc. pauses to celebrate what makes our industry truly remarkable — the people, partnerships, and precision that drive American manufacturing forward every single day.  This season, while many are wrapping gifts, we’re reminded that in our world, we wrap up projects. We finish builds, close orders, and prepare for a strong start to the new year — all fueled by the same dedication and craftsmanship that defines our customers and partners across the Midwest and beyond. At Factory Link Inc., we believe manufacturing is more than making parts — it’s about building opportunity . Every tool we supply, every spindle, vice, and cutting edge we deliver helps a shop reach new levels of productivity and performance. This year, we’ve been proud to strengthen our network alongside our principals continuing our mission to deliver solutions, not just products. As 2025 approaches, our commitment remains clear: Support our distributors and end users with fast, reliable service. Introduce innovative tooling and technology that push efficiency further. Foster growth and training across the manufacturing community. From our Factory Link Inc. family to yours — thank you for your trust, partnership, and shared drive for excellence. May your holidays be filled with peace, joy, and well-deserved rest. We look forward to an even stronger year of innovation and collaboration ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at FactoryLink Inc.

Unlocking Productivity with 5th Axis Workholding

By Keith Brown • December 19, 2025
In today’s high-mix, high-precision manufacturing environment, speed and repeatability are everything. That’s why more and more shops are turning to 5th Axis Workholding solutions —a system built to maximize spindle uptime, reduce setup costs, and eliminate inefficiencies on the shop floor. At Factory Link Inc., we’re proud to represent 5th Axis and bring their cutting-edge RockLock bases, dovetail fixtures, and vises to Midwest manufacturers. Why 5th Axis? 5th Axis has redefined what “workholding” means for modern machining. Their system is designed around quick-change efficiency , allowing operators to go from job to job in seconds, not minutes. This is made possible through the RockLock zero-point system , which provides a universal interface for vises, dovetail fixtures, and custom applications. Key advantages: Repeatability within microns – ensuring consistency and reducing scrap Universal compatibility – mount parts, vises, or pallets across multiple machines Time savings – changeovers that once took 15–20 minutes now take less than 60 seconds The RockLock Advantage At the heart of the 5th Axis system is the RockLock Base Plate . With a simple quarter-turn, machinists can lock in workholding fixtures securely and repeatably. This means less time spent dialing in setups and more time cutting chips. Pairing RockLock bases with 5th Axis self-centering vises or dovetail fixtures makes it possible to grip even the smallest parts with absolute rigidity. Shops working in aerospace, medical, or high-value contract machining especially benefit from the ability to maximize every inch of their machining envelope. Learn how 5th Axis RockLock can help you

The Human Connection Behind Precision Manufacturing

By Keith Brown • December 12, 2025
In a world where advanced machines, automation, and cutting-edge tools dominate the conversation, it’s easy to forget that manufacturing has always been — and will always remain — a people-driven industry. Precision is not only measured in microns or tolerances, but also in the care, dedication, and expertise that humans bring to the shop floor. At its core, manufacturing is about relationships: between operators and their tools, engineers and their designs, suppliers and their customers, and teams who rely on each other to deliver quality work every single day. While automation accelerates efficiency, it is human intuition, problem-solving, and creativity that drive real innovation. Think of a machinist who knows the “feel” of a cutting tool in a way no algorithm can measure, or a team that rallies together to solve a production challenge on a tight deadline. These human connections transform technical excellence into sustainable success. At Factory Link Inc., we believe that technology and people are not in competition — they are partners. The most sophisticated cutting tools, workholding systems, or metrology solutions achieve their true potential only in the hands of skilled professionals who understand how to unlock performance. As we continue to advance precision manufacturing, we remain committed to supporting not just the tools and processes, but also the people who bring them to life. Because in the end, precision is not just about parts — it’s about people. LEARN MORE