Feature Article

As the cost of tungsten rapidly rises, cutting tool manufacturers focus on developing inserts that reduce carbide consumption while boosting productivity. By Alan Richter Like so many other commodities, the price of tungsten ammonium paratungstate (APT), which is used to make carbide cutting tools, has moved in only one direction: up — way up.

All businesses feel the pressure to improve productivity, precision and profitability. For machine shops, one of the most influential decisions — yet often misunderstood — involves choosing the right turning insert for the job. With countless insert types, coatings and geometries available, understanding when to use ISO-standard inserts versus proprietary options can significantly impact your throughput, part quality and tool life.

‘Everything is big, heavy and expensive’ for shops serving the energy industry. By Christopher Tate Each segment of manufacturing has unique characteristics. Automotive machining is characterized by high volume and low margins. Aerospace is highly regulated with tight tolerances. Medical machining is also highly regulated with difficult to machine alloys.

Regardless of the industry being served, effective worker training is critical to a part manufacturer’s success. Horst Engineering’s core focus is producing aerospace and defense parts, but states that precision machined components are just as essential to many high technology industries, including power generation.

The workholding basics for CNC machining. By Erez Speiser The best CNC machines and cutting tools are only as effective as the workholding system used to secure a workpiece to the table during the machining process. The foundation of successful precision machining begins with the selection of the proper workholding system for the workpiece and machining operation at hand.

The bedrock of success How Better Workholding Cuts Hidden Costs and Boosts Spindle Uptime. By Austin Heisick In many machining environments, workholding is still evaluated using narrow criteria: can the workholding securely hold the part, and how much does it cost? While ensuring adequate clamping force is critical, this perspective overlooks the broader role workholding plays in CNC machining.

Manufacturing Sentiment (Leading Indicator) U.S.

TOWER POWER

A look at major manufacturing advancements now commonplace in machine shops.

Advanced toolholding allows Ed Carpenter Racing to push spindle speeds while holding race-critical tolerances.

What you need to know about using PCD tools.

High-performance cut taps are effective for demanding threading applications and can be suitable for less challenging scenarios as well.