CAD/CAM belongs on the shop floor
Get with the Program column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.
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Leave it better than you found it
Machinist's Corner column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.
Racking up ribs
END USER: Prospect Mold Inc., (330) 929-3311, prospectmold.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce the time needed to cut grooves in a large mold. SOLUTION: Replace EDMing with endmilling. SOLUTION PROVIDER: OSG Tap & Die Inc., www.osgtool.com, (800) 837-2223
Maintaining the productivity party
END USER: North America Clutch Corp., (414) 267-4000, www.noram-clutch.com. CHALLENGE: Lower manufacturing costs. SOLUTION: An automated turning center. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Amada Machine Tools America Inc., (847) 797-8700, www.amadamt.com; Progressive Machinery Inc., (414) 577-3200, www.progressivemachinerywi.com
Enabling product line expansion
END USER: The M.K. Morse Co., (800) 733-3377, www.mkmorse.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate dirt and debris from machine coolant when grinding cermet-tipped saw blades. SOLUTION: Filtration system capable of removing particles to 1μm. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Transor Filter USA, (800) 354-3040, www.transorfilter.com
Park Precision Adopts Zero-Point Clamping for Faster Setup
Part manufacturers are examining every aspect of the production process, from cutting tool parameters to workholding methods, to find ways to reduce costs and improve quality. Conversations with metalworking professionals have revealed a heightened awareness of the role that nonmachining changeover time plays in manufacturing costs. Shops know that speeding changeovers can save them money every time they switch a setup or move a part.
Competitive technology
Every segment of manufacturing faces unique challenges. Tool and die makers, however, seem to endure an outsized number of challenges.
Robots done right
Can robots improve your deburring operation?
Breaking the beam
The benefits of performing tool breakage detection with a noncontact, laser-mounted monitoring system.
Swiss Army Knife
Swiss-style turning can be complicated, so it helps to have an operator's 'tool kit' with multiple solutions.
A world class act
END USER: Specialty Saw Inc., (860) 658-4419, www.specialtysaw.com; CHALLENGE: Increase the size of the saws it manufactures and resharpens while reducing turnaround time. SOLUTION: Two saw grinding machines. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Vollmer of America Corp., (412) 278-0655, www.vollmer-us.com
High performance in a small package
END USER: Precision Technologies Inc., (978) 649-8715, www.precision-techno.com. CHALLENGE: Boost feed rate when milling tiny slots. SOLUTION: Variable-helix miniature endmill. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Harvey Tool Co. LLC, (800) 645-5609, www.harveytool.com.