Articles & Columns

Manager's Desk column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Part Time column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Machinist's Corner column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

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

Advanced vertical machining centers provide performance and value.

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

Pristine finishes are pivotal for safe and effective orthopedic implants.

Machine Technology column for the May 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Insert geometries for effectively turning high-temperature superalloys.

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

The benefits of performing tool breakage detection with a noncontact, laser-mounted monitoring system.

Every segment of manufacturing faces unique challenges. Tool and die makers, however, seem to endure an outsized number of challenges.

END USER: Sunrise Machine & Tool Inc., (800) 725-7761, www.sunrise-smt.com. CHALLENGE: Improve production control. SOLUTION: Enterprise resource planning software. SOLUTION PROVIDER: MIE Solutions Inc., (714) 786-6230, www.mie-solutions.com

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.

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.

Machine Technology column for April 2010 Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Ask the Grinding Doc column by Dr. Jeffrey Badger for April 2010 Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Can robots improve your deburring operation?

Swiss-style turning can be complicated, so it helps to have an operator's 'tool kit' with multiple solutions.

Shop Operations column for April 2010 Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.