July 2017
Articles in this issue
Rotary transfer machines: Eclipsing the past
Some machine tools are modified so much and so frequently it becomes a common practice. That's certainly the case with rotary transfer machines.
Look Ahead: a novel 3D-connector inspection system
G2 Technologies has developed a customizable, automated 3D inspection system in response to a customer's need to inspect small electronic connectors. This nich…
Look Ahead: an oscillating laser head for joining, cutting
The welDYNA laser scan head from SCANLAB America Inc. uses beam oscillation to improve both joining and cutting applications. Designed for multiple-kilowatt la…
Productive Times: Productivity times savings
END USER: Mennie Machine Co., (815) 339-2226, www.mennies.com. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Engman-Taylor Co. Inc., (262) 255-9300, www.engman-taylor.com; Walter USA LL…
Productive Times: a high-torque conversion
END USER: Hansen Engineering Co., (310) 534-3870, www.hansenengineering.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: JM Performance Products Inc., (800) 322-7750, www.jmperformance…
The fundamentals of industrial sawing
Sawing is one of the most common manufacturing processes in a machine shop. It is versatile, simple and reliable. Nonetheless, many young engineers and machini…
Determining when a custom toolholder is a better option
When it comes to selecting toolholders for drills, taps, endmills, shell mills and other round cutting tools, there is virtually an unlimited number of options…
Custom machines offer solutions standard ones sometimes can’t
Every so often a job or part geometry comes along where it would be helpful to have a few extra inches in a machine's work envelope, or perhaps a little higher…
Abrasive waterjets now a viable 3D cutting option
Abrasive waterjet systems have always provided some advantages for parts manufacturers. For one, the high-pressure stream of water and abrasive grit, usually g…
One mission, two bottom lines
Skills Inc. is a unique nonprofit manufacturing company that serves the aerospace industry and is dedicated to helping people with disabilities thrive in today…
Machinist’s Corner: New kid on the block
Remember when you were the new employee? If you had any questions, you asked the individual closest to you. The Machinist's Corner column in the July 2017 issu…
Shop Operations: Get your bearings
High-quality metrology feedback is one of the cornerstones of precision manufacturing, but that's easier said than done, according to the Shop Operations colum…
Get With The Program: Making the most of macros
Using macros, which are pieces of instruction that provide shortcuts, greatly improves programming productivity, according to the Get With The Program column i…
Machine Technology: Preparation automation pays
Are your spindles cutting most of the time? Or are they often idle because you're getting ready to cut? If you answered yes to the latter, consider the lift th…
Manager’s Desk: Smart phone policies for shops
For his July 2017 Manager's Desk column, Keith Jennings writes that the greatest concern at his company is the impact cell phones have on shop safety. Another …
Considerations when having taps resharpened
Resharpening dull taps by hand is probably not a good idea when you could be making parts. Plus, a thorough reconditioning requires a grinder designed for grin…
Selecting a turret or gang tooling for a CNC lathe
Deciding whether to use a turret or gang tooling is one of many topics that seems to engender religious fervor from one side to the other. Let's start by provi…
Tips for shops set on moving machine tools DIY
Machine tools are heavy. Moving them yourself can be dangerous, causing damage to people and machinery alike. But with the right tools, knowledge of how to use…
Workholding solutions for 5-axis applications
Whether an application involves simultaneous 5-axis machining or five-sided (3+2) machining, the workholders and fixturing techniques from the 3-axis world typ…
Lead Angle: Are we near the peak?
Peak oil demand is in the news. In a May Wall Street Journal article, for instance, authors Lynn Cook and Elena Cherney stated, "The world's largest oil compan…