Cradle to Crypt
A look at permanently marking metal parts with electro-chemical, indent or laser systems.
Operation / Process
Inspection & Quality
Power to the People
One machine shop's strategy for achieving zero-defect production relies on making all shop floor staff responsible for quality.
Upon Closer Inspection
The successful selectio of a parts inspection system depends on thorough research and a willingness to invest.
Hardness at Work
The author gives an overview of the most common hardness testing methods: Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers and Knoop.
Killing Time
One company instituted a comprehensive plan for reducing setup times and saw its average setup time drop from 252 minutes to 39 minutes. The plan involves everything from standardizing tooling to consolidating raw materials to creating families of parts. The author outlines a step-by-step program that readers can apply to their metalworking setup operations.
Grade Wise
Most people know that using the right grade of insert can improve nproductivity dramatically. Few know that the proper grade is also important nwhen utilizing round tools. The author examines the different types of ncarbide grades available for round tools.n
Gage Yourself
A 10-question quiz tests the reader's knowledge of gage usage and maintenance. The answers, which are provided, help correct common misperceptions about gages and gaging.
Supplier in Demand
This article describes how one aerospace manufacturer boosted production capacity by partnering with a supplier, which began machining parts formerly made in-house. The article tells how the manufacturer shared its processes and manufacturing expertise with the supplier in order to ensure that quality and productivity were maintained.n
Tolerances Feel the Heat
With close-tolerance machining, variances in the temperature of the part or gage can lead to out-of-tolerance work. This article describes the compensation systems that have been developed to measure temperatures and make the necessary adjustments to gage readings.
Pain-Free SPC
Experts offer advice for implementing an SPC program in shops. They emphasize that developing an SPC program isn't as difficult as many people think, and that a program can be implemented with few hassles.
CMM Made Easy
Next-generation CMM software offers users a simple interface, the ability to program the machine directly from CAD data files and the opportunity to write programs off-line. This article describes the latest advancements in CMM software and shows how older machines can be retrofitted to take advantage of the software's features.
From Presetting to Tool Management
This article explains how state-of-the-art tool presetting-and-measuring machines can reduce a shop's tool setup time while increasing precision. The article also describes how the additional functions of these high-end units can turn them into sophisticated tool-management systems.