Journalist Missing

July 30, 2009 CNC EyeTeam anchor Jane Peterson has disappeared while on an investigative reporting trip to Taiwan. The Network, which covers machine tool control technology and the contract manufacturing sector as a whole, has released a statement addressing the disappearance. Our friend and colleague Jane Peterson has been pursuing global reports of incredible job shop productivity, reportedly linked to a mysterious new CNC control. Her investigation led her to Taipei, Taiwan, where we know she and camera operator Joe Kuhl landed two days ago. Since then we have had no communication with our colleagues, and have ascertained that they have not returned to their hotel or been seen at any location that was part of their planned itinerary. Managing Editor Lou Bradley declined to confirm reports that the duo might have been kidnapped to stop their investigations. “We just want to find them and bring them home,” he explained, refusing to answer further questions for the record. “To say anything else might be detrimental to that goal.”

On the Hunt in Taipei

A quick tweet and blog update from the cell phone to let you know we have landed in Taiwan and are proceeding to the hotel. We have an idea of where to look and we expect that Dark Cover may try and make contact.

We are being very careful. So far, we do not seem to have been followed. 

We may even go out tonight to check out a few leads. We’ll need to get a cab, but I understand that won’t be a problem. The hotel can get us a taxi when we are ready.

It’s exciting to be on the hunt . We are getting closer to solving the mystery, I feel it! We really will crack the g-code very soon.

Productivity Enhancers

It seems like suddenly there has been an explosion of news on the street about incredible job shop productivity boosts. This is happening around the world.

We’ve heard about a job shop in Bangalore, India, that was able to establish a company-wide machine network and share CAD/CAM, and machine simulation information.

We’ve heard about machines being produced in China that promise an 80-bit computational level of accuracy, beyond micro and nano levels.

We’ve heard about machine operators in the UK getting CNC status alerts via text messages on mobile phones.

Something big is happening.

Next Stop: Taiwan?

I know the Dark Cover web site shows HBH locations all over the world. My theory is this: HBH is beta testing a revolutionary new CNC, and RELIC has found out about it and wants to shut them down. To keep their secret, HBH has moved this operation to Taiwan.

RELIC must be frantic. The days of G-code CNC will be numbered if a new CNC comes out.
It’s time to head for Taiwan. We need to find that new beta site and get to the bottom of the story. We have to be careful, though—RELIC CNC agents might be following us as a way to get to HBH. They seem to have spies everywhere.

HBH Vanishing Act

So much to write about.

The most productive job shop in the country has vanished.

Joe went to the mysterious job shop HBH Enterprise again to see if we could get some footage of all the activity, and it was deserted. Nobody was there. The place looked like it had been packed up and cleared out in a hurry. There were no machines, no stock, no supplies, and no people.

Why did they shut down so quickly? I know it wasn't the economy; they were working two shifts. Why did they move all their machines? They must have set the operation up at a new site.

We have one clue: a packing slip that was left behind. It reads "BETA SITE CLOSED. Redirect to Taipei, Taiwan."

Coffee Confidential

Joe, my cameraman, wants to meet. He won't say why, only that he'd discovered something big about HBH. He was afraid to talk on the phone. We are going to meet at our usual place, the coffee shop. What's going on now?

I am becoming paranoid. Sometimes it feels like I am being followed. Sometimes I hear strange clicking noises on my phone. Every old car with a yellow bumper sticker seems sinister.

Connect the Dots?

Somehow these things are connected:

• “Seeing is believing”
• My informant, who calls himself Dark Cover
• RELIC, the entrenched CNC company out to stop all of us from learning the truth
• Incredible boosts in productivity we are hearing about in job shops across the globe
• HBH Enterprise, one of those job shops, located in Asheville, North Carolina
• “Crack the G-code”

What am I missing? How does this all tie together?

Curiouser and Curiouser

This story is getting stranger by the day.

Last night I received a surprise visit from an unexpected source. He did not specifically ask to remain anonymous, but I won’t reveal his identity yet until I can speak with him. Clearly he is tied in with Dark Cover, my mysterious informant.

I can’t write too much about our encounter except to say we didn’t talk much, but he gave me something that throws this case into a new light. If you follow the link, you’ll see what I mean.

Somebody is hiding a big secret and somebody ELSE wants me to find out what it is, and tell the world. My new informant said only that “Seeing is believing.” I’ve heard that expression before…

It also seems that RELIC is tied in with all of this, and wants to stop our investigation. Dark Cover has given us a very specific warning, which is really confusing. Why would RELIC, a huge company, care about our story? Are they hiding something?

And what is it that is causing job shops to increase their productivity to crazy high levels?

So many questions.