IMTS: Hang 10 in Chicago
CTE Editor Alan Richter preps for IMTS 2018.
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]
Wondering and ranting
Every wonder what it would be like to sell machine tools for living? Rantings of a Machine Tool Salesman by Scott Walker provides a flavor of that wonderland career. Semiretired, Walker is chairman of Mitsui Seiki USA Inc., Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, where he started as vice president of sales in 1991. The company specializes in building heavy metal and mother machine tools.
Cutting benefits of ceramic and cermet tools
Ceramic and cermet cutting tools offer productivity-boosting benefits when the application is appropriate.
Cutting the coolant when making gears
When it comes to hobbing auto gears, dry machining dominates. "There are no new automotive applications that are being done wet," said Tom Ware, product manager for gear tools at Star SU Co. LLC, Hoffman Estates, Ill. "There are a few tier suppliers that have not updated to new equipment and are still running some wet applications, but all the major manufacturers have gone dry."
Zoller hosts Innovation Days event
Zoller Inc. hosted its open house and Innovation Days event June 19-20 at the tool presetting and measuring equipment manufacturer's new facility in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Fine-tuning a grinding process
Usually, a grinding process can be improved by simply picking the low-hanging fruit. Grinding wheel manufacturer Meister Abrasives USA Inc., North Kingstown, R.I., recommends trying that approach first by selecting a single variable and significantly changing it.
Grinding ceramic medical parts requires (diamond) grit, patience
Grinding ceramics is unlike most other grinding operations. These superhard, brittle materials need a slow and steady hand.
Gearing up for IMTS 2018
Once again, the International Manufacturing Technology Show is right around the corner. IMTS 2018 takes place Sept. 10-15 at Chicago's McCormick Place, which is literally just down the road from where I live.
Targeting tool materials
Seventy years ago when the Society of Carbide Engineers launched the trade magazine that eventually became Cutting Tool Engineering as its official publication, the articles primarily covered carbide cutting tools. After all, the association advertised that those who were engaged in studying, using, supervising the use of or furthering the use of carbides were eligible for membership.
Five-axis machining requires workholders with maximum versatility
BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc. held its Breakfast & Learn 2018 open house May 8-10 at its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Each day include a technical presentation. On the third day, John Zaya, workholding product manager for BIG KAISER, covered multiple-axis, quick-change workholding systems.
Mazak hosts technology and education event
Florence, Ky.-based Mazak Corp. hosted the Midwest Technology + Education Event May 1-3 at its Midwest Regional Headquarters and Technology Center in Schaumburg, Ill. The machine tool builder exhibited and demonstrated an array of equipment, including milling, turning, 5-axis and multitask machines, and nine of the company's Value Inspired Partners exhibited at the event.
Reader from down under responds to blog about AR headsets
Bob Hudson of New South Whales, Australia, responded to my April 11 blog titled "Assisting manufacturers with augmented reality."