Machine Technology

Articles • September 1, 2015 • Peter Loetzner

Modular machine strategy

Many trends affect the metalworking industry, including customer demands for the best quality, lowest cost and shortest delivery time. Design concepts for modular machine tools can address these expectations through general-function modules that can be combined to meet job requirements while reducing costs and lead times.

Articles • August 1, 2015 • Robin Cave

Smoothing the evolution of CNC

While machine tool CNCs continue to evolve, one development expands that process beyond what a control typically represents. Mazak's Smooth Technology is a complete process-performance technology platform that spans the part production landscape from programming and setup to metal-removal operations to automation to data collection, monitoring and transfer.

Articles • May 1, 2015 • Dave Ward

Control cuts cycle time

The Machine Technology column looks at how inertia active control cuts cycle time.

Articles • April 1, 2015 • Wade Anderson

Cut the chatter

Methods for minimizing chatter.

Articles • March 1, 2015 • Dr. Scott Smith

Fixing linear positioning errors

In a typical machine-tool-axis positioning system, the workpiece is mounted on a table that slides along flat, straight guide ways. The table may be supported on the guide ways by rolling elements or by a thin film of oil or grease. A screw controls the table position along the guide way. The rotation of the screw in the nonrotating nut that is fixed to the table drives the table left or right. The rotation of the motor translates into linear table position through the pitch of the screw.

Articles • February 1, 2015 • Dr. Scott Smith

A clear view on vision panels

The cutting zone in a machine tool is dangerous. Hot chips and large quantities of coolant are often safety threats, but a tool rotating at a high speed is an even greater one.

Articles • January 1, 2015 • Dr. Scott Smith

Measuring with capacitance sensors

Capacitance sensors are noncontact sensors used in machine tools to measure the distance between a noncontact probe and a target sensor. Because the probe does not physically touch the target, capacitance sensors are beneficial in instances where the target surface is moving, such as a rotating spindle, or delicate, such as a silicon wafer.

Articles • December 1, 2014 • Dr. Scott Smith

Understanding tapered spindle connections

The Machine Technology column in the December 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering discusses the essentials of tapered spindle connections.

Articles • October 1, 2014 • Dr. Scott Smith

Preloading ball nuts

The advantages of preloading ball nuts.

Articles • September 1, 2014 • Dr. Scott Smith

Pros and cons of different guide ways

Scraping is one of the oldest and most historically significant metal-removal processes, notes Dr. Scott Smith in his Machine Technology column of the September 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Articles • August 1, 2014 • Dr. Scott Smith

Reversal techniques in measurement

The Machine Technology column in the August 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine reviews the use of the reversal technique in machine measurement.

Articles • July 1, 2014 • Dr. Scott Smith

Hydrostatic bearings support heavy loads

Dr. Scott Smith of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte discusses the benefits of hydrostatic bearings in his Machine Technology column for the July 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.