Articles & Columns

In the digitized manufacturing world that is being born, the product that a job shop produces is less a piece of machined metal and more a piece of intellectual property.

One of the challenges when boring workpiece materials susceptible to workhardening is recognizing whether the prebored hole is already workhardened.

Michael Deren, who writes the Machinist's Corner column for CTE, spent the holidays reflecting on a couple of events from 2017. One was his promotion at work. The other? Three machines failed within 24 hours.

Some parts manufacturers try to manage their computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft Access data-bases or stand-alone third-party applications. Although these methods offer incredible flexibility, six primary reasons exist for why they fail in all but the smallest of job shops.

Abrasive stones commonly found in machine shops are fine for run-of-the-mill deburring and abrading, but absolutely not suitable for precision stoning. For that, you need a pair of carefully prepared, precision-ground flat stones.

Productive Times Article. END USER:  Wolfram Manufacturing, (512) 600-3220, www.wolframmfg.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Brush Research Manufacturing Co. Inc., (323) 261-2193, www.brushresearch.com. CHALLENGE: Perform finishing operations during the machining process. SOLUTION: Tool with small, abrasive globules that are permanently mounted to flexible filaments.

Part quality can suffer if a machine tool cannot hold tolerances uniformly everywhere in its “working envelope,” the box-shaped region that defines a machine’s 3D reach when cutting.

The Röhm Lubritool enables automatic lubrication of tool-clamping sets. And, according to the manufacturer, it performs the job in seconds instead of minutes. 

The Heidenhain Specto 3087 RC length gage reportedly increases productivity and efficiency, particularly in applications where it's not possible to clamp the workpiece on a separate device to inspect it. Instead, the gage integrates a highly accurate measuring process directly into the production process.

Whether or not you believe in New Year’s resolutions, starting any new year with optimism and a positive attitude is a worthy idea and can’t hurt anything. An important element is applying key lessons learned from the previous year.

As CTE Publications Inc. begins the 70th volume of Cutting Tool Engineering, the fundamental principles of cutting and grinding metal remain the same as when the magazine premiered with a different name to serve members of the Society of Carbide Engineers.

The mood of MFG Day, the annual celebration of U.S. manufacturing that took place Oct. 6, doesn’t cease after the plant tours and information sessions end and the participating students, parents and educators head home.

The risk of fire from the use of cutting oil in machining operations is one of the reasons that many manufacturers avoid cutting oil.

Dignity Medical Solutions has developed a novel technology that helps manage incontinence in the form of a device called TIMO, which provides the benefits and convenience of a catheter without the associated complications and costs.

The ultimate goal for Made In Space Inc. is that everything in space will be made in space, according to Matt Napoli, the company's vice president of in-space operations.

A portable CNC machine tool that mills, cuts and engraves flat surfaces, including sheet metal and aluminum, has a giant of a name: Goliath.

When choosing an edge inspection and burr detection system, users generally try to balance accuracy and speed. The EdgeInspect system from Novacam Technologies Inc., however, acquires and analyzes edge properties and detects burrs with micrometer precision and at speeds previously unimaginable. 

When turning parts, shop improvised to meet customers’ needs.

The CNC Cookbook software developer recently polled its 100,000 newsletter subscribers to find out what they most value and most dislike about their CNCs.

As 2017 winds down, economists and experts agree that manufacturing has had a good year and growth should continue throughout 2018 in the U.S. and globally.