Quick-change act
Camcraft added a flexible manufacturing system to enhance the spindle utilization of its horizontal machining centers.
Editorial
Alan Richter
Alan Richter, a 40-plus-year veteran journalist, has spent the last 26 years covering the metalworking industry for Cutting Tool Engineering and currently serves as its editor-at-large. Contact him at [email protected].
Editor-at-large
Email: [email protected]
Machining large
One of the best parts of my job is visiting factories where metal parts are machined. In connection with the feature article I wrote for our April issue about machining large parts, I traveled to Romulus, Michigan, and visited Lincoln Park Boring Co.
The art of machining
A metal blisk or heat exchanger component can certainly be aesthetically pleasing, but those and the vast majority of other machined metal parts serve a practical function first and foremost. The metal parts Chris Bathgate machines don't.
Houses of the ‘holy’
I haven't received any books about manufacturing lately, but a PDF of the new book "Rock Stars at Home" landed in my inbox, so I read it.
Industry 4.0: Making grinding machines smarter
Get an overview of a grinding process monitoring and diagnostics system.
5 stages of automation collaboration
Shop Operations: Safety the key to humans and robots working together.
Embracing automation
As the cover indicates, the February issue will include a focus on automation. In addition to Contributing Editor Kip Hanson's cover story about automating CNC lathes, I wrote about the productivity gains Camcraft Inc. is realizing after installing a Makino Machining Complex (MMC2) flexible manufacturing system.
Global leader discusses the future and fate of metalworking
Talking Shop: Get an insider's view of our industry in this Q and A with AB Sandvik Coromant's Global President Nadine Crauwels.
Growth expectations for 2019
Lead Angle: Editor Alan Richter chats with economic authorities in the aerospace, automotive and energy industries to find out what's coming next year.
Manufacturing industry growth projected to slow in 2019
Economic experts say that growth will rise but less briskly than it did this year.n
Getting flexible and growing with automation
In connection with my article about flexible manufacturing systems for the February issue, I visited Camcraft Inc., which has a Makino Machining Complex (MMC2) automated pallet-handling system. Four Makino 4-axis a51nx horizontal machining centers are integrated into the system.
Reader writes about boring and keying a tapered bushing
Remember that before there was high-tech there was low-tech. And there still is low-tech! For example, boring and cutting a keyway in a tapered bushing is one of the most often performed tasks a maintenance machinist will perform.