Feature Article

Joe's struggling to package a truckload of parts before noon. Mary can't keep up on the painting line. Jimmy's in trouble with the boss because he can't make quota. These are just a few of the challenges faced by workers on the manufacturing floor, problems that, in many cases, can be solved with collaborative robots.

Imagine building a ship in a bottle, but instead of using a preexisting bottle, you build the ship along with the bottle while machining the ship's and bottle's surfaces as you go.

Cutting Tool Engineering Contributing Editor Kip Hanson offers insight into choosing the best method for marking parts.

While many machine shops have an EDM, they still have to decide when it makes sense to outsource certain jobs.

The pros and cons of turning with the "perfect" insert.

The cover story for the December 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering examines the unique requirements of machine tools used for cutting composite materials.

ANSI insert identification codes describe insert shape, clearance, tolerance, type, size, thickness, and edge features. This guide explains how to read the naming system used for indexable inserts.

Simultaneous machining on two to four spindles enhances efficiency and lowers the cost per part for high-volume production.

One of the functions of the cloud is to provide software programs to users without the hassle of actually installing it. Instead, a Web browser or small bit of software known as a client is used to share information with a group of computers or servers. These servers are housed in one of thousands of data centers around the world, facilities with security measures in place and tended by IT acolytes dedicated to the care and feeding of huge mainframes.

The choice of selective suface-hardening methods depends on workpiece size, shape material and application, but they can be grouped in two main categories: thermal and mechanical.

Stopping a machine to measure a workpiece is a waste of time. Not only is a high-priced piece of CNC equipment being taken out of production, but the measurements obtained when a machinist leans into a machine with a micrometer or bore gage can't compare in accuracy to those generated by a coordinate measuring machine or inline probe.

Integrating digital tool libraries into CAM software enables process improvement.