Stick with it: Drilling Performance
Let's say you want to machine your initials on your favorite Hummel figurine or cut the likeness of the school mascot on your daughter's Little League helmet. How are you going to…
General Manufacturing Discussion
Recent discussions
Long and short of broaching
Many options are available for removing stock and shaping workpieces. Broaching is one of the most productive, underutilized -- and least understood. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis.…
Miscellaneous tips and tricks: Turning Performance
This column, which is my final installment, is like that special odds and ends drawer in your toolbox, the one with all the weird stuff in it for which you can't seem…
Preset it and forget it
Minimize tool runout, extend tool life, reduce scrap and prevent fixture damage. An offline cutting tool presetter. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15…
Manufacturing gear for choppers: 5-Axis Machining
Apply modern manufacturing methods to grow a custom motorcycle business. Automate production and improve part quality and machining efficiency with a CNC machine tool and CAM software. Imported from the CTE archive…
Free benefits come with a price
You never know when a simple comment will have a significant impact; sometimes that's not even the source's intention. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on…
Walk on the lean side
Take a Gemba walk. If you're not familiar with what a Gemba walk is, let me fill you in. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on…
Modular machine strategy
Many trends affect the metalworking industry, including customer demands for the best quality, lowest cost and shortest delivery time. Design concepts for modular machine tools can address these expectations through general-function modules…
Green lantern: CMM Inspection
A Look-Ahead item on a green laser-line metrology scanner. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/green-lantern/ Legacy path: /articles/green-lantern
Simplified drill geometry: Drilling Performance
A Look-Ahead item on a deep-hole drill with a continuously thinned web. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/simplified-drill-geometry/ Legacy path:…
Books are fun-damental: People & Companies
Time for a literature review. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/books-are-fun-damental/ Legacy path: /articles/books-are-fun-damental
US among lowest-cost locations for manufacturing
While the U.S. greenback has markedly appreciated in the last year, the Boston Consulting Group's Global Manufacturing Cost-Competitiveness Index shows that the U.S. remains one of the lowest-cost locations for manufacturing in…
Can milling compete with grinding for rapid stock removal?
Many times in making parts for aerospace engines with high temperature alloys like IN-718, Rene-95 and Waspaloy it is necessary to remove large amounts of material. Traditionally companies use, milling, turning or…
Effective flute grinding
Whether you are grinding HSS or Tungsten Carbide, the flute grinding process is the most difficult feature to grind in round tool manufacturing. Though there are many reasons why, the main reason…
Planetary prototypes: CMM Inspection
Fallbrook Technologies' shop continues to produce prototypes for licensees of the company's continuously variable planetary technology while performing commercial jobs. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published…
Twin-spindle beast: CMM Inspection
What possesses a new job shop to buy a $1 million, twin-spindle machining center when even the smallest purchases are subject to debate? At Jersey Elite Manufacturing (JEM), Rockaway, N.J., the answer…
Set to go: Turning Performance
Offline presetting maximizes machine availability, reduces scrap. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/set-go/ Legacy path: /articles/set-go
Safe strategies: Safety, Standards & Compliance
Machine shops can be dangerous places, but a combination of planning, housekeeping and the proper safety equipment reduces the risk of injuries, audits and lost time. Imported from the CTE archive to…
Ceramic savvy: Turning Performance
Five factors shaping the ceramic tool market. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/ceramic-savvy/ Legacy path: /articles/ceramic-savvy
Trochoidal milling can tackle the hard stuff
Milling metals hardened to 52 HRC and harder with solid-carbide cutters doesn't require a heavy-duty, high-performance machine tool when a machinist employs trochoidal milling and applies cutting tools with an appropriate substrate,…
Improving the inspection process
An interview with Michael Nahum, Micro Encoder Inc. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/improving-inspection-process/ Legacy path: /articles/improving-inspection-process
Burn the burr: General Industry Coverage
Efficiently deburr machined hydraulic manifolds. A machine that deburrs via thermal energy. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2015-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/burn-burr/ Legacy path:…
EDM upgrade jump-starts shop: General Industry Coverage
Increase wire EDM capacity and cutting speed. Replace two old, technologically obsolete wire EDMs with two new ones. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE:…
Lemonade out of lemons: People & Companies
Manager's Desk column covers the ups and downs experienced in the shop this year lead to hard decisions, including staff reductions. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally…
Smoothing the evolution of CNC
While machine tool CNCs continue to evolve, one development expands that process beyond what a control typically represents. Mazak's Smooth Technology is a complete process-performance technology platform that spans the part production…