Machinery & Equipment Manufacturing

Articles • August 1, 2011

DIY or outsource when applying finishes to parts?

Many manufacturers apply finishes such as black oxide, metal plating, adhesives and sealants to their parts. One key question is whether to apply those finishes in-house or outsource the operation. For many shops, the decision is based on part volume, cost of capital and practical considerations.

Articles • July 1, 2011

A qualified approach to machining complex, deep holes

Very deep, complex holes are becoming increasingly challenging to machine as hole tolerances become tighter and surface finish requirements get finer.

Videos • June 6, 2011

Why One Conditioning Stick Outperforms Another in Carbide Grinding

A shop grinding tungsten carbide with a resin-bonded diamond wheel asked the Grinding Doc about the difference between two conditioning sticks purchased from two differrent suppliers. With one stick the shop can do a lot more parts between stickings. Why is this? Dr. Jeffrey Badger, the host of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine's Grinding Doc Video Series, responds in the 20th episode of the video series.

Articles • April 1, 2010

Park Precision Adopts Zero-Point Clamping for Faster Setup

Part manufacturers are examining every aspect of the production process, from cutting tool parameters to workholding methods, to find ways to reduce costs and improve quality. Conversations with metalworking professionals have revealed a heightened awareness of the role that nonmachining changeover time plays in manufacturing costs. Shops know that speeding changeovers can save them money every time they switch a setup or move a part.

Articles • February 1, 2010

Measuring and managing drawbar forces

Machine Technology column by Dr. Scott Smith.

Articles • January 1, 2010

Why Shops Are Replacing Gundrills with Solid-Carbide Drills

A growing number of machine shops are switching from gundrills to solid-carbide drills for deep-hole applications.

Articles • December 1, 2009

Cutter sources

Shop Operations column for December 2009 issue.

Articles • December 1, 2009 • Dr. Scott Smith

Correcting thermal errors

Machine Technology column for December 2009 issue.

Articles • December 1, 2009 • Alan Richter

The new ‘carbide’ saw

Production and application of cermet-tipped circular saw blades continues to grow, eating into carbide's market share.

Articles • October 1, 2009 • Edmund Isakov, Ph.D.

Tool steels’ dual personality

The guidelines for turning of tool steels include both tool- and part-making applications.

Articles • October 1, 2009

Probing questions

While some may question its use, on-machine probing can reduce setup time while boosting in-process dimension control and enabling part verification.

Articles • October 1, 2009 • Michael Deren

The bright side of being fired

Machinist's Corner column in October 2009 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.