Machine Technology

Articles • November 21, 2017 • William Leventon

Large vertical lathes available at reasonable prices

Look in a couple of nooks in the machine tool market and you'll find what appear to be bargains for those buying big.

Articles • October 9, 2017 • Michael Cope

Machine Technology: Manually measuring 5-axis centerlines

In 5-axis machining, accurate rotary axis centerlines are critical, so regularly measuring and verifying these values is also critical. While the best course of action is to measure the machine using a high-tech system intended for this purpose, in a pinch you can use a manual process.

Articles • September 7, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: No-hands tool changing

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.

Articles • August 1, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Hybrid upsides and design considerations

A milestone in the 3D printing revolution is the appearance of CNC metalcutting machine tools incorporating additive-manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturers of the hybrid additive/subtractive systems tout their advantages over conventional machine tools, but the hybrids raise important issues that their builders and users must address.

Articles • July 13, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Preparation automation pays

Are your spindles cutting most of the time? Or are they often idle because you're getting ready to cut? If you answered yes to the latter, consider the lift that an automated pallet-handling system could provide. These systems allow pallets to be set up and moved into position while workpieces on other pallets are being machined.

Articles • May 26, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Building ‘monster’ machines

Machine tool builder Zimmermann Inc., Wixom, Mich., the U.S. arm of Neuhausen, Germany-headquartered Zimmermann GmbH, specializes in very large machine tool installations. The company offers milling machines with working ranges from 2.5m to 30m (8.2' to 98.4') along the X-axis and from 3m to 6m (9.8' to 19.7') along the Y-axis.

Articles • May 5, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Automating one machine

Automation isn't just a boon to complex, multiple-machine manufacturing processes. It can also give a major boost to processes that involve only a single machine.

Articles • March 24, 2017 • William Leventon

Tabletop tool sharpeners

The April 2017 Machine Technology column in Cutting Tool Engineering magazine covers tabletop equipment for sharpening cutting tools.

Articles • March 3, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: To extend or not to extend?

When purchasing consumer products, most of us quickly decide to pass on extended warranties. But extended machine tool warranties may merit more careful consideration, according to the Machine Technology column in the March 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Articles • January 31, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Alternatives to hand-feeding machines

More lathe purchasers are choosing automated material handling options, according to the February 2017 Machine Technology column by Bill Leventon.

Articles • January 5, 2017 • William Leventon

Financing your next machine tool

Machine tools are big-ticket items, so it's no surprise that they're normally acquired using some sort of financing. In addition to banks, financing can be obtained from machine tool OEMs and nonbank lenders known as finance companies.

Articles • December 1, 2016 • William Leventon

New life for an old machine

Are you about to scrap an old machine tool and replace it with a new one? Before you do, consider what could be a much less expensive way of getting a better machine: having the old one remanufactured.