Machining

Mazak, Muratec join forces in MAZATEC SMS smart manufacturing system

Yamazaki Mazak Corp. and Murata Machinery, Ltd. (Muratec) have collaborated in the development of the MAZATEC SMS, an advanced manufacturing system designed to provide efficiency by performing unmanned machining. It incorporates the internal factory material handling technology of Muratec with the advanced horizontal machining centers and multi-tasking machine tools of Mazak Corp.

Swiss Smarts

Shop Profile: MTU America implements lean initiatives

MTU America, Graniteville, S.C., which machines parts for large diesel engines, shares a glimpse into the shop's machining operations and lean manufacturing initiatives in this brief shop profile video report filmed by Cutting Tool Engineering Editor Alan Richter.


See also the cover story in the April 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine, "MTU America: Machining parts for large diesel engines."

Walter opens new tech center

To help its customers unlock the power of digital technology and the Smart Factory, Walter USA recently opened a new Technology Center at its worldwide headquarters in Tübingen, Germany. The 16,400 sq. ft. center combines the functions of an interactive experience center and a research facility, according to a Walter press release.

The CNC Chef: Chip Thinning | Episode 2

Well-intentioned conservatism can actually be very bad for tool life, according to the second episode of The CNC Chef, a new monthly video series from Cutting Tool Engineering and Bob Warfield from CNCCookbook. While the first episode focused on the risk of tool rubbing by turning down the feedrate too much, the second episode cautions against cutting back cut width or stepover too much, which causes chip thinning.

As available jobs increase, manufacturers get that old school spirit

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that hiring in December 2016 was at a four-month high, while the number of manufacturing hires tied that of November for its best monthly performance since 2010. Separately, the BLS said that manufacturing companies created 5,000 new jobs in January for a second straight month of growth. That’s good news for those who remember the dark days of the Great Recession—but for employers who have more work to be done than workers to do it, it’s a headache. One solution has been to reach that next generation early—while they’re finishing high shool.