Machinist’s Corner

This month’s column is a primer on FlexArm, a product line of articulating cantilever arms from Flex Machine Tools, Wapakoneta, Ohio. The arms assist an operator in performing various manufacturing tasks. The company began manufacturing tapping arms in 1984, and over the years has expanded the product line to include arms for drilling, die and mold grinding, polishing, and for manipulating heavy workpieces — to name a few.

ASTM alloy A193 grade B7 is a quenched and tempered chromium-molybdenum high-carbon steel used to make fasteners for high-pressure applications.

WORKHOLDING SYSTEM NUTS & BOLTS

The five-axis milling process continues to expand and evolve as machine tools and tooling become more capable.

Brandt Taylor explores high-volume threaded holemaking, highlighting EMUGE's THRILLER tools that drill and thread efficiently using helical interpolation.

Machinist's Corner columnist recently ran across a "cool" product outside his normal focus that he thinks will help productivity on the shop floor.

There has been an increase in demand for scroll, or spiral, compressors as the accuracy of the methods used to make them have improved.

While delving into thread milling for this column, Brandt Taylor met and learned something new from an EMUGE-FRANKEN expert on high-volume production.

Thread milling offers an alternative to tapping, ideal for large diameters and tough materials, with advantages in control and flexibility.

Machinist's Corner columnist Brandt Taylor walks readers through the key steps involved in applying for a utility patent.

Our Machinist's Corner columnist shares his experience applying for and being granted six utility patents over the course of his career.

Machinist's Corner column notes that shops today have computer-controlled feedback loops because they need to work smart to remain competitive.