Time for a change in inspection gear
Speed up and simplify inspection of watch movements. An image dimension measurement system.
Magazine Column
Productive Times
Automated gaging helps win the race
Increase throughput and reduce scrap when machining thrust bearing races for down-hole mud motors. An automated gaging system integrated into a turning cell.
Measuring the ‘real’ edge contour
Achieve a higher accuracy and resolution when measuring cutting tools and components. An optical 3-D measurement system.
Shop has need for speed
Achieve a 24-hour-maximum turnaround time on aluminum prototypes for tablet computers. Endmills designed for maximum metal-removal rate when cutting aluminum.
Superhard automation
Simultaneously improve product quality and productivity when EDMing PCD and PCBN cutting tools and wear parts. An automation process that incorporates work cells.
Playing it smart
Cutting cycle time for a 3,000-piece run. Two wire EDMs.
Drilling with pinpoint precision
Achieve tightened tolerances and increase throughput when machining microholes and other microscale features. Two new machine tools, each with 0.5µm positioning accuracy and a 50,000-rpm maximum spindle speed.
Flute polishing boosts surface integrity
Improve cutting edge integrity and flute faces of cutting tools. A flute finishing process that uses a fine-grit, hybrid resin-bond flute polishing grinding wheel, special truing wheels and fine-grit dressing sticks.
Making the leap to MQL
Minimize lubricant for a mass-production cylinder head line. Switch to minimum quantity lubrication.
Robot to the rescue
Produce additional parts without investing in a new machine tool and eliminate manually bending parts. A robot that is flexible and easy to program and move.
Replace an outdated vertical machining center with a new one
Boost productivity when machining hubs and other parts. Replace an outdated vertical machining center with a new one.
Light trumps water
Reduce energy costs as part of a sustainability program. Replace a waterjet cutting machine with a fiber optic laser cutting machine.