Toolpathing your lawn
What does CAM software have to do with mowing your lawn? More than you might think. Consider this imaginary story in which a machine shop owner tackles that bane of suburban life.…
General Manufacturing Discussion
Recent discussions
Match the process to the part
There's more than one way to machine a part. The trick is to match the part's complexity and volume requirements with an optimal production process. Imported from the CTE archive to seed…
A milling tools overview
An array of milling tools is available, including endmills, facemills and plain mills. Typical milling applications include facing, filleting or edge cutting, profiling, slotting, pocketing and blind slotting. Imported from the CTE…
Three rules for cutting thin parts
In recent years, monolithic machined aluminum components have been replacing sheet metal assemblies throughout the aerospace industry. The monolithic structures are lighter, less expensive and stronger than their conventional sheet metal counterparts.…
Tough times need not be painful
You can find out that times are tough by reading the newspaper but it really hits home when your company downsizes you. That was recently the case for me and about 30…
Effective management needed: Industry Trends & Analysis
Machinist's Corner September 2009 column Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/effective-management-needed/ Legacy path: /articles/effective-management-needed
Wear and peace: Turning Performance
Understanding tool wear is the first step to extending tool life—which can be further enhanced with new coating technology. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on…
Bending the rules: Turning Performance
Because high-speed steel inserts can bend without breaking, they are an effective choice for select applications. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-09-15 CTE…
Can-do coolant strategies
With the cost of high-performance coolants on the rise, coolant management is more important than ever. It starts by getting the basics right. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on…
Grow in the dark: CMM Inspection
Even low-volume operations producing many different parts can benefit from lights-out production. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-09-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/grow-dark/ Legacy path:…
Driving diesel developments: Drilling Performance
Machining large compacted graphite iron castings for diesel engine components is challenging, but applying the proper tools and techniques can help. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally…
Concentric engineering: Turning Performance
In addition to handling prototype and production machining, R.E.F. Precision Products LLC, Deer Park, N.Y., provides engineering and productivity consulting services. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally…
Tips for Sanding Titanium Parts Safely and Efficiently
Sanding titanium parts can consume major finishing time because burrs, heat, and surface requirements are hard to balance. This guide reviews practical sanding priorities for titanium work. Imported from the CTE archive…
Training machinists the old-fashioned way
Talking Shop August 2009 column Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/training-machinists-old-fashioned-way/ Legacy path: /articles/training-machinists-old-fashioned-way
Post-processing should not work: Design & Engineering
The creation of a part program for a CNC machine tool usually starts with a part drawing or model that contains the part material, geometry and tolerances. Imported from the CTE archive…
Grinding Doc: Using the Ra eyeball technique
Dear Doc: I grind small parts with intricate geometries. I'd like to get a handle on what kind of Ra values I'm generating and if the grinding process changes I'm making are…
Prepare for increasing business regs
As an owner or manager of a machining business, you have your hands full dealing with matters from the front office to the shop and everything in-between. Even so, nonproduction issues seem…
Spin doctors: Inspection Efficiency
Who should perform spindle maintenance in machine shops? Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/spin-doctors/ Legacy path: /articles/spin-doctors
Reaching the apex: Drilling Performance
Combination tooling, custom fixtures and creative solutions help Apex Precision thrive. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/reaching-apex/ Legacy path: /articles/reaching-apex
Hit it again, harder
When finishing parts, shops may want to hit them with their best shot. Shot peening can produce longer part life. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published…
High anxiety: Drilling Performance
Understanding tool geometry and selecting the right tap for different workpiece materials can help take the anxiety out of tapping operations. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally…
Laws of attraction: Drilling Performance
U.S. companies that adopt electromagnetic workholders heartily endorse the technology. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published on CTE: 2009-08-15 CTE source: https://ctemag.com/articles/laws-attraction/ Legacy path: /articles/laws-attraction
Know-as-you-go software: Digitalization & Industry 4.0
In today's market, a machine shop often has millions of dollars invested in machines. Typically, a hefty amount is also committed to payroll. For a shop to be profitable, these two assets…
Cranking out power: Drilling Performance
Eagle Machine Inc., in Abbotsford, B.C., frequently takes on challenging jobs, such as modifying a diving bell for deep-sea submarine rescues or designing and machining a set of solid aluminum wheels for…
Parts of the milling machine
Unlike lathes, which have been around for thousands of years, milling machines are less than 200 years old. Because they require much more power than hand-driven lathes, the introduction of milling machines…