February 2014
Articles in this issue
Why good live centers go bad
Regardless of a live center's brand, its quality is acceptable or the center manufacturer wouldn't be in business. In addition, most center designers have kept…
Building a capable manufacturing process
Shop Technology Columnist Christopher Tate discusses capability studies of the manufacturing process in the February 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering mag…
More tips for operating a CNC lathe
Shop Operations Columnist Tom Lipton offers additional tips for operating a CNC lathe in the February 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.
Medical manufacturer prolongs tool life
Boost productivity and extend tool life when cutting cast aluminum surgical light housings. A special PCD endmill with laser-machined cutting edges.
Short-notice flexibility
Increase flexibility and repeatability when machining high-volume auto parts. A hydraulic stationary clamping system.
Turning center is precise to a ‘tee’
Bring outsourced parts in-house that were being milled and machine them on a CNC lathe. A 6-axis turning center equipped with a bar feeder.
Smarter online marketing
Keith Jennings, our Manager's Desk columnist, this month responds to readers asking for tips to increase sales, and, yes, his answer emphasizes the need for a …
Vibrations indicate bearing damage
Many machine tool spindles are supported in the housing by rolling-element bearings. Cutting forces, spindle unbalance and spindle preload impose cyclic loads …
Tool warming
A through-spindle and through-tool laser-assisted milling process.
Dust not in the wind
A PCD drill with an internal extraction system for removing workpiece dust when drilling carbon- and glass-fiber composites.
Good morning AM
Is it morning in America -- and the world -- for additive manufacturing? That's looking more and more likely. While AM, also known as 3D printing, is well-esta…
HMC transformations
By their very nature, horizontal machining centers are among the best friends a shop can have if it hopes to remain agile and competitive in this brave new wor…
Soaring aerospace parts
With a global commercial aircraft order backlog recently valued at $920 billion, jetliner and jet-engine builders are placing volumes of part orders not seen f…
Supersonic grinding
High-speed grinding can provide great gains when grinding outside diameters.
Kings of the mountain
With a focus on machining large parts in multifunctional mill/turn machines, QualTech Industries quickly attracted customers after opening 4 years ago in Kings…
Hydro power
While hydraulic toolholders are said to have limited applications, their high gripping force and simple operation help them secure a place in machine shops.
Abusive grinding
A shop seeks insight from our Ask the Grinding Doc columnist, Dr. Jeffrey Badger, regarding the premature fatigue failure of pistons that seem fine when they g…