Articles & Columns

The pressure to decrease costs and drive up profitability means getting every ounce of efficiency from machine tools and cutting tools. To this end, shops constantly strive to reduce cycle times and extend tool life. However, while pursuing these goals, it is easy to push tools past their useful life, allowing excessive wear and its corresponding problems to occur.

The rotating elements in machine tools often generate unacceptable forces due to unbalance, and manufacturers usually take corrective action to reduce the forces.

Increase productivity when parting off a component. A new parting and grooving tool that practically tripled machining parameters.

Overcome a CAM system's limitations when transitioning to machining more complex parts. New CAM software.

My first experience with welding was when my dad taught me to stick weld in the basement of our home. When I was about 9 years old, he came home with a new welding hood. I remember asking him who the hood was for and being mortified when he said it was for me.

An industrial-grade, wearable computing device.

A tool clamp that permits optimal coolant delivery on Swiss-style machines.

In 2013, the U.S. passed Russia as the world's leading producer of oil and gas and became a net oil exporter for the first time in decades -- all thanks to shale.

Cutting Tool Engineering's Ask the Grinding Doc columnist, Dr. Jeffrey Badger, advises a shop hoping to avoid grinding burn.

Analyzing the options for internal threading allows part makers to efficiently and cost-effectively produce high-quality threaded holes. Read on for the pros and cons of four key methods of machining internal threads in parts.

Laser technology has taken hold in the moldmaking industry, offering new possibilities for fabrication, detailing, maintenance and repair.

Chicago wins bid to host digital manufacturing institute.

Effectively directing high-pressure coolant to the cutting zone enhances machinability and extends tool life when cutting heat-resistant superalloys, such as when making parts for the energy industry.

Shop growth is much easier when your credit is solid, even with slight profitability, suggests Keith Jennings in his Manager's Desk column for the April 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

The steel comes in late, she shop is overloaded, due dates are regularly missed and the last quote was blown because no one has a clue about actual operating costs. These are just a few of the daily problems encountered by shops that manage their businesses through Excel spreadsheets and low-cost accounting software. There is a better way.

If your shop is looking for a low-cost, simple and effective way to reduce setup time, consider zero-point clamping.

Omega Manufacturing specializes in challenging wire EDM work, but also offers one-stop parts manufacturing.

Adaptive control helps CNC machines produce more parts.

A unique collet-and-cartridge workholding system for machining small parts.

When possible, manufacturers should avoid applying custom cutting tools because they typically cost more than standard catalog items and can be used only for a single purpose. In addition, it is difficult to substitute other tools in place of a special when it is out of stock, and lead times for new custom tools can be long.