Articles

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Michael Wendenburg

Tool train

The heart of rail technology beats in Germany, where the Bombardier Transportation division of the Canadian conglomerate is headquartered in Berlin. Its plant in Netphen, Germany, annually produces 2,500 to 3,000 carriage bodies and bogies (a chassis or framework with wheels that is attached to a railway vehicle). This equipment is used in vehicles ranging from trams to high-speed trains. Despite the European economic crisis, order volumes have risen over the last few years, to the point where the plant, which has a workforce of 700, is nearly at full capacity.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Aaron Habeck

Shifting gears

Imagine a gear milling method where the toolpath -- not the tool shape -- determines gear characteristics such as diametral pitch or pressure angle. A new concept, involute milling, provides that functionality while delivering machining efficiency and production versatility. The result is a "democratization" of gear milling, moving the process from single-purpose, dedicated machine tools to multipurpose machines that can produce small batches economically because no costly hobs or gashers are needed.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

X-ray specs

X-ray scanning a part with internal features is useful because it creates 2-D images of those features in a nondestructive manner. Industrial computed-tomography, or industrial CT scanning, which is based on X-ray scanning technology, takes it a step further by providing a complete 3-D view for internal and external analysis.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Kip Hanson

Why so cross?

Drilling cross-holes in some parts is no big deal. These are often simple parts, such as aluminum valve bodies, where the holes aren't too deep and meet on-center, and the customer can live with a small burr at the intersection.

Articles • February 1, 2013

Fight, fight for old Manufacturing U.

When I read about The Brookings Institution's proposal to develop 20 U.S. manufacturing universities, my first thought was "what will the mascots be for the football teams?" Purdue already has the time-honored "Boilermakers" moniker but what about the others? Would they be the Michigan Machinists, the Caltech CAD/CAMs, the Lehigh Lasers or, maybe, the Fightin' Facemills?

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

An eye for wear

A machine vision system for inspecting cutting tool wear.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

Out with the old

A model-based design and verification method for reducing the time to build complex vehicles and aircraft.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Dr. Scott Smith

The science of milling sounds

Milling sounds range from loud to quiet, and experienced machinists <br />often use those sounds to judge what is occurring in the cutting zone. It is difficult to position a sensor such as an accelerometer or a displacement probe close to the cutting zone, and it is often a challenge to see the cutting zone, but the sounds are pervasive.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Keith Jennings

Doing the shop hop

Over the past few months, I've experienced an increasing number of friends, acquaintances and even referred strangers hitting me up for jobs. Most ask about employment opportunities for their kids, dad, brother or even neighbor.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

Coolant filtration enhances grinding precision

Provide centerless grinding machines that can produce parts with continually tightening size and surface finish requirements. Customized coolant filtration equipment.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

Fast to the finish

Enhance PCD cutting tool design while decreasing processing times. SOLUTION: A 6-axis rotary erosion machine.

Articles • February 1, 2013 • Alan Richter

The chase is over

Prevent sealed bearings from overheating in a live tooling head. A live tooling head with coolant-fed bearings.