Experienced vs. cheap workers: People & Companies
Manager's Desk column from March 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering considers whether experienced or low-wage workers make the most economic sense.
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Dedicated fixtures simplify pump housing machining
END USER: Weir Minerals North America, (608) 221-2261, www.weirminerals.com. CHALLENGE: Streamline workholding and machining of 12', 5,000-lb. cast iron pump housings. SOLUTION: Dedicated fixtures that cut setup and machining cycle time while improving operator safety.
Right tool for the job
END USER: Behlen Industries LP, (204) 728-1188, www.behlen.ca. CHALLENGE: Reduce maintenance requirements for a plasma cutting machine that the builder no longer services or supports and achieve a more precise kerf angle when cutting steel plates. SOLUTION: A new plasma/oxy-fuel cutting machine equipped with integrated cutting solutions.
Know how to hold ’em
END USER: The Boeing Co., www.boeing.com. CHALLENGE: Boost productivity and reduce setup time when machining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic aircraft components. SOLUTION: Abrasive waterjet cutting technology and flexible workholding.
Cutting Time for Facing: Quick Guide
Facing time calculations change depending on whether spindle speed stays constant or surface speed is held constant. This guide explains the math shops use to estimate cycle time.
Small But Mighty: 5-Axis Machining
New technology opens up new applications for small HMCs.
Hunting for Reliability: Drilling Performance
Hunting Energy Services not only machines oil and gas drilling components—it assembles and repairs the tools that do the work.
Power Surge: Inspection Efficiency
Manufacturing parts for the nuclear energy industry, which is growing globally, is expected to expand in the U.S. as well. Three shops explain their strategies to capitalize on the growing market.
The Hole Edge: Drilling Performance
Machining a clean, straight and in-tolerance hole through a part is not the only requirement for many holemaking applications. In many cases, hole entrances and exits are also critical to part functionality.
Automated honing boosts production: General Industry Coverage
END USER: Sonic Industries Div., Sargent Aerospace & Defense Group, (310) 532-8382, www.sargentaerospace.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle times while holding critical dimensional and finish tolerances. SOLUTION: Automated honing machine with superabrasive tools.
Boosting beam production: Inspection Efficiency
END USER: HITCO Carbon Composites Inc., (800) 421-5444, www.hitco.com. CHALLENGE: Increase productivity when machining composite parts. SOLUTION: A 5-axis machine tool optimized for the process.
No penalty for holding: Drilling Performance
END USER: Bob's Design Engineering Inc., (503) 648-7418, CHALLENGE: Increase productivity when drilling holes more than 10 diameters deep. SOLUTION: Toolholding system that permits use of aggressive drilling parameters with through-coolant drills. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Advanced Tooling Co.
