Good machines can come in small packages
There are relatively small, budget-friendly machines on the market that might meet your needs.
Editorial
William Leventon
William Leventon is a contributing editor to Cutting Tool Engineering magazine. Contact him by phone at 609-920-3335 or via email at [email protected].
Machine tool controls with AI learn on the job
Advanced machine tool controls infused with artificial intelligence (AI) can learn about your machining processes. With this knowledge, a CNC can automatically take action that boosts machining speed and accuracy, as well as slash unplanned downtime for maintenance.
New approaches to machining microscale medical parts
Though machining medical microparts presents many challenges, shops that tackle the task are meeting these challenges thanks to a combination of ingenuity and technology, along with a dose of effective machining practices.
Taking a turn for the better
By packaging both turning and milling functions in a single machining center, machine tool builders believe they've hit on a winning combination that can boost part quality while also slashing cycle times, space and costs.
Protecting man, woman and machine
CNC machine tool owners with a healthy concern for their employees are advised to enclose their machines in protective structures.
Added dimensions boost accuracy
Part quality can suffer if a machine tool cannot hold tolerances uniformly everywhere in its "working envelope," the box-shaped region that defines a machine's 3D reach when cutting.
Large vertical lathes available at reasonable prices
Look in a couple of nooks in the machine tool market and you'll find what appear to be bargains for those buying big.
Machine Technology: No-hands tool changing
When CNC milling machines were conceived some in the metalworking industry asked why a computer couldn't also manage tool changes. That question was the impetus behind the development of the automatic toolchanger.
Machine Technology: Hybrid upsides and design considerations
A milestone in the 3D printing revolution is the appearance of CNC metalcutting machine tools incorporating additive-manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturers of the hybrid additive/subtractive systems tout their advantages over conventional machine tools, but the hybrids raise important issues that their builders and users must address.
Machine Technology: Preparation automation pays
Are your spindles cutting most of the time? Or are they often idle because you're getting ready to cut? If you answered yes to the latter, consider the lift that an automated pallet-handling system could provide. These systems allow pallets to be set up and moved into position while workpieces on other pallets are being machined.
Machine Technology: Building ‘monster’ machines
Machine tool builder Zimmermann Inc., Wixom, Mich., the U.S. arm of Neuhausen, Germany-headquartered Zimmermann GmbH, specializes in very large machine tool installations. The company offers milling machines with working ranges from 2.5m to 30m (8.2' to 98.4') along the X-axis and from 3m to 6m (9.8' to 19.7') along the Y-axis.
Micromachining: A light touch
A growing number of manufacturers in the medical industry are seeing the light when choosing a machining option for micro parts and features. The light they're seeing emanates from laser micromachining systems.