Christopher Tate

Articles • March 3, 2021 • Christopher Tate

Maintain productivity when changing tools

The holy grail of tool management is the integration of tool storage, tool data transfer and tool condition monitoring, but many ways exist to keep machines running.

Articles • February 17, 2021 • Christopher Tate

Capto transforms shop’s VTLs

The Capto toolholding system provides speed, accuracy and flexibility.

Articles • January 13, 2021 • Christopher Tate

Give sawing its due

Although arguably less interesting than some newer technologies, sawing is still a vital machining operation at modern machine shops.

Articles • December 1, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Pay attention to abrasives

Abrasives play a significant part at a modern metalworking shop, but process design, optimization and safety aspects frequently are overlooked.

Articles • October 16, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Grooving can be bumpy

Cutting grooves is one of the more challenging turning operations performed by machinists. Many scrapped parts and broken tools later, Christopher Tate shares important lessons about grooving.

Articles • September 17, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Choose the proper grinding wheel

The selection process is often one of trial and error working to optimize the combination of machine, cutting fluid, cutting parameters and grinding wheel.

Articles • August 13, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Big parts, big questions

How is machining large parts different from machining small ones?

Articles • July 2, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Learn the ins and outs of centerless grinding

Any machinist probably has heard of centerless grinding, but it is an obscure process often only familiar in name.

Articles • June 18, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Desire for data

Connectivity will continue to advance industrial technology.

Articles • May 20, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Crafting craftspeople

Industry-led training and vocational programs are the solution to the shortage of workers.

Articles • April 14, 2020 • Christopher Tate

CNC takes machine shops to new levels

CNC machines and CAM software enable advanced milling techniques

Articles • March 13, 2020 • Christopher Tate

Cut waste at the machine tool

Palletization and other lean methods reduce the time spent not making chips.