August 2013
Articles in this issue
Give CNC lathes an uptime makeover
I once thought nothing of boring a new set of top jaws. Just remove half a dozen cap screws, take the old jaws out, bolt on fresh jaws, attach a spider or bori…
Adding value with single-piece part flow
Since the May issue, I have been writing about our combustion shop's migration from batch processing to single-piece flow, or machining one part at a time. Sin…
Even more tips for operating a CNC mill
Continuing the theme of the previous three columns, here are additional tips for enhancing the operation of a CNC milling machine from Shop Operations columnis…
Replace an outdated vertical machining center with a new one
Boost productivity when machining hubs and other parts. Replace an outdated vertical machining center with a new one.
Light trumps water
Reduce energy costs as part of a sustainability program. Replace a waterjet cutting machine with a fiber optic laser cutting machine.
Unmanned machining with confidence
Eliminate part deviations when performing lights-out machining. CAM software with the properly adjusted post-processor for automatically measuring parts on a m…
What goes around, comes around
Representing your company through community involvement accomplishes two goals. Hopefully, you're doing something positive and, in return, raising the reputati…
Spindle bearing preload increases stiffness
Spindle bearings support the spindle in the housing and transmit cutting forces to the machine structure. The bearings are intended to hold the spindle accurat…
Designing diamond
A new R&D center for synthetic diamond.
The dog days of manufacturing
As I'm writing this in mid-July, we're experiencing uncomfortably hot and muggy weather in the Chicago area. I worked up a sweat just walking the dogs this mor…
Hardened by light
The advantages of heat treating parts with 1µm-wavelength lasers.
Time to part
In parting, or cut-off, operations, the objective is to efficiently and securely separate one part of the workpiece from the other. To achieve this, a straight…
Worry free
Antipullout toolholders reduce scrap, increase tool life and eliminate anxiety while milling.
Old iron, new life
Retrofitting old machine tools with new CNCs can make more sense than buying new -- particularly for larger machines.
Product Showcase for August 2013
Learn details about the many new products manufacturers are offering the metalworking industry.
Be cautious when changing coolant
A company running a centralized coolant system with neat oil seeks help from the Grinding Doc. The shop's oil supplier is promising great things if the shop sw…