Articles & Columns

END USER: Kline Oilfield Equipment Inc., (918) 445-0588, www.klinetools.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle time and extend tool life when machining 718 Inconel. SOLUTION: An AlTiN-coated, general-purpose endmill and CAM software that generates efficient toolpaths. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: IMCO Carbide Tool Inc., (800) 765-4626, www.imcousa.com; SolidCAM Inc., (866) 975-1115, www.solidcam.com.

Nickel-base superalloys can withstand hot and tough conditions, but are difficult to machine. With the right approach, machinists can keep their cool when cutting them.

Manufacturers are using unattended horizontal machining cells to improve productivity and quality.

A wirelessly powered machining sensor system.

Money as a motivational tool can take the form of an employee's pay rate, commissions, bonuses and, perhaps once a certain level of seniority is reached, paid health insurance premiums. Not only do employees like it, but it's often a simpler solution. Adding a few bucks to a paycheck is a lot faster and easier than establishing many other incentives.

In the olden days, riggers were the guys on the ground placing slings and chains around the object to be moved while the crane operator waited for their signals to begin lifting. Today, rigging in a small shop falls to the guys standing closest to the equipment when something needs to be moved.

Swiss Automation's success is based on machining complex parts quickly, accurately and consistently.

A hydraulic expansion toolholder that can be adjusted to have zero runout accuracy.

END USER: Southwest Greene International Inc., (760) 639-4960, www.greenegroup.com. CHALLENGE: Effectively measure small, complex medical parts.SOLUTION: A measurement system that combines vision and touch-probe inspection. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Hexagon Metrology Inc., (800) 274-9433, www.hexagonmetrology.us.

END USER: Thortex Inc., (503) 654-5726, www.thortexinc.com. CHALLENGE: Maximize tool life and reliability when threading cobalt chrome. SOLUTION: Replace solid-carbide taps with high-performance thread mills. SOLUTION PROVIDER: OSG Tap & Die Inc., (800) 837-2223, www.osgtool.com.

Multiple-operation cylindrical grinding machines enable shops to complete parts in a single setup.

Measuring or modeling the natural frequencies and mode shapes is a useful step in avoiding or eliminating vibration problems.

Strategic approaches maximize utilization when multitask machining.

Manager's Desk columnist Keith Jennings offers some guidance for effectively screening new projects in the January 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

END USER: Acumed LLC, (888) 627-9957, www.acumed.net. CHALLENGE: Accurately direct high-pressure coolant on Swiss-style machines to control chips when turning. SOLUTION: A Swiss-style insert holder with high-pressure, through-coolant capability. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Streamliner & Associates Inc., (814) 440-1548, www.streamlinertools.com

END USER: A large aerospace manufacturer. CHALLENGE: Avoid buying a new machine by retaining use of a 25-year-old lathe. SOLUTION: Rebuild the lathe and retrofit it with a new control. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Infinity Rebuild Inc., (704) 588-4995, www.infinityrebuild.com

Shop Operations columnist, Tom Lipton, discusses the issue of safety when workers transport sheet metal in the January 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

A guide to converting from conventional to superabrasives in double-disc grinding.

Michael Deren covers the benefits of attending regional trade shows in his January 2012 Machinist's Corner column for Cutting Tool Engineering.

A shop combines two machines to efficiently produce a gas hose seal.