Tool Management

Maximize preventive maintenance for machine tools

02/13/2018

Author:

Shutting down a machine tool for just two or three shifts per year for maintenance can make a huge difference in boosting productivity and reducing machine downtime.

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Silo systems can't maintain equipment

01/11/2018

Author:

Harry Mosesian

Some parts manufacturers try to manage their computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft Access data-bases or stand-alone third-party applications. Although these methods offer incredible flexibility, six primary reasons exist for why they fail in all but the smallest of job shops.

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Speeding up lubrication

01/05/2018

Author:

Michael C. Anderson

The Röhm Lubritool enables automatic lubrication of tool-clamping sets. And, according to the manufacturer, it performs the job in seconds instead of minutes.

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Save time by setting tools offline with a presetter

09/27/2017

Author:

Kip Hanson

The benefits of presetting are somewhat intangible; it takes a little digging to actually understand how much time is spent manually setting tools and what impact that has on shop throughput and profitability.

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Perpendicularity: key to machining good parts

10/12/2017

Author:

Tom Lipton

Checking perpendicularity is a recurring theme on the shop floor—one that deserves detailed discussion and special tools, according to the Shop Operations column in the October 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

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OSG on cutting aluminum auto parts with Micro Technology

Micro Technology Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., makes parts that are used to mount to automotive engine blocks to be robotically transported through assembly lines. The company uses HAAS VF-3 with CAT40 taper tools. One part is 6061 Aluminum with a tolerance requirement of +/- 0.002" and was being machined with a face mill at 3,000RPM 120IPM with 1.25" axial and 1.2" radial depth of cut. The challenge: Improve productivity without sacrificing quality and accuracy. OSG Tap & Die describes their solution in a recent web feature:

Machine Technology: No-hands tool changing

09/07/2017

Author:

William Leventon

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.

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3D-printed bone drill improves surgeries

08/24/2017

Author:

Patrick Kuhlemann

Metal laser melting has made possible a number of groundbreaking developments in the medical field. One example is a 3D-printed bone drill that, unlike some traditionally manufactured drills, is designed not to damage tissue during surgery.

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Acorns, user experience and optimization

With the advent of technologies like the iPad, the field of predictive maintenance has become an accessible and achievable goal for many businesses. The iPad allows anyone from small companies to large multi-facility corporations to implement and commit to a predictive maintenance program utilizing technology that is constantly improving.

ABB and IBM partner to bring AI to the factory floor

ABB and IBM have announced a strategic collaboration that brings together ABB’s industry-leading digital offering, ABB Ability, with IBM Watson Internet of Things cognitive capabilities to unlock new value for customers in industry, utilities and transport & infrastructure.