Articles & Columns

Bring outsourced parts in-house that were being milled and machine them on a CNC lathe. A 6-axis turning center equipped with a bar feeder.

Many machine tool spindles are supported in the housing by rolling-element bearings. Cutting forces, spindle unbalance and spindle preload impose cyclic loads on the bearing's balls and races. Over time, the cyclic loading produces fatigue failure, damaging the surfaces of races and balls. This kind of damage causes vibration and noise, limits bearing life and eventually requires bearing replacement.

Regardless of a live center's brand, its quality is acceptable or the center manufacturer wouldn't be in business. In addition, most center designers have kept pace with today's high-horsepower machines, aggressive machining parameters and high-pressure coolant applications to avoid limiting the accuracy and service life of a live center.

Run at high machining parameters without chatter when demonstrating machine tools. A precision collet chuck.

The vertical linear axes on machine tools are fundamentally different than those that operate parallel to the ground. This is because the actuators on the vertical axes have to overcome the effects of gravity.

A CVD tool coating with unidirectional crystal orientation.

Tips on choosing driven tools for mill/turn centers.

Combination cutting tools for holemaking applications save a significant amount of time when the application is right.

National Institute for Metalworking Skills' network of certified training centers expands.

Effectively produce M-42 and M-2 HSS microdrills. A 5-axis tool and cutter grinder coupled with CBN wheels.

A typical CNC lathe program is quite short compared to some of the mammoth CAM-generated programs for milling machines. Here are some tips and tricks to programming a CNC lathe.

Connecticut Spring & Stamping developed an apprenticeship program to meet is own training needs.

The digital revolution has impacted everyone. As is typical with a disruptive technology, expected cost savings drive initial adoption. But, over time, far greater impact is achieved once the new technology is better understood. For example, the Internet and e-mail have dramatically reduced the volume of mail carried by the U.S. Postal Service, threatening its entire business model.

Tool data management optimizes production resources and data.

Any conversation about training and skills development in the metalworking industry tends to stir up emotions. Pretty soon, people are complaining about the same three things over and over: “Our manufacturing plants are stereotyped as dark, dirty and greasy;” “We can't get people to consider manufacturing jobs because we're negatively stereotyped by parents and high-school guidance counselors;” and “There aren't enough available workers with the right skills.”

A bandsaw is a common sight in a machine shop. To get blanks on the floor faster, shops use bandsaws to cut several square, rectangular or round solid bars or tubes at a time. Knowing about the proper bandsaw, workholders and saw blades can make the bundle cutting process go much more smoothly.

Anyone who works in or around a machine shop knows that high-performance cutting tools are expensive. If the process of acquiring and using these tools is not managed properly, tool expenses can quickly and negatively impact the bottom line, whether you are operating a mom-and-pop shop or a major OEM.

Speed up and simplify inspection of watch movements. An image dimension measurement system.

How a cooperative organization helps manufacturers train their employees in-house.

An intelligent manufacturing application.