Editorial

Christopher Tate

Christopher Tate is the owner of Tate Engineering, a Natchez, Mississippi, firm that helps manufacturers solve efficiency problems. Tate, who earned master's degree in industrial technology from Mississippi State University, has 32 years of experience in the metalworking industry.

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Articles February 1, 2015 Christopher Tate
Finding an app for that
After acquiring my first iPhone, I searched the Internet for apps to use in the shop. I found 70 hits for "machinist" or "machining" and 45 for "cutting tool." Conversely, there were 11,169 hits for movie apps and 37,616 for music apps.
Articles January 1, 2015 Christopher Tate
A CMM can benefit any shop
Introduced in 1959, coordinate measuring machines have become increasingly common over the last 2 decades. The complexity and cost once meant CMMs were only suitable for large manufacturers. Advances in CMM technology and manufacturing techniques have reduced the cost of ownership, and the machines are now found at all types and sizes of shops.
Articles June 1, 2014 Christopher Tate
Selecting the proper toolholder
The foundation of robust and successful CNC milling and drilling processes consists of numerous elements, including high-quality machine tools, sturdy work holders and high-performance cutting tools. Toolholders are another of the basic elements.
Articles April 1, 2014 Christopher Tate
Avoiding excessive cutting tool wear
The pressure to decrease costs and drive up profitability means getting every ounce of efficiency from machine tools and cutting tools. To this end, shops constantly strive to reduce cycle times and extend tool life. However, while pursuing these goals, it is easy to push tools past their useful life, allowing excessive wear and its corresponding problems to occur.
Articles March 1, 2014 Christopher Tate
Justifying custom cutting tools
When possible, manufacturers should avoid applying custom cutting tools because they typically cost more than standard catalog items and can be used only for a single purpose. In addition, it is difficult to substitute other tools in place of a special when it is out of stock, and lead times for new custom tools can be long.