Machining

Though machining medical microparts presents many challenges, shops that tackle the task are meeting these challenges thanks to a combination of ingenuity and technology, along with a dose of effective machining practices.

CTE Machinist's Corner Columnist Michael Deren bemoans industrial suppliers who don't care about their customers, or know how to treat their customers. This is not the '60s and '70s, when OEMs had a take-it-or-leave-it mentality.

For many in the machining community, tapping is the preferred method of threadmaking on a CNC machining center. Yet others contend that thread milling is better. Kip Hanson breaks down the long-running argument.

Carefully plan machine setup to virtually eliminate problems that could lead to such tasks as replacing the setup with a new one, reprogramming toolpaths, or even transferring the job to another machine.

By packaging both turning and milling functions in a single machining center, machine tool builders believe they've hit on a winning combination that can boost part quality while also slashing cycle times, space and costs.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU, Chemnitz, Germany, wanted to study the impact of climate change on machines without having to ship them to far-flung locales. Therefore, the institute developed a climate chamber at its newly inaugurated test lab in which it could expose machines to various climates around the world.

Users of the Mitsubishi Electric Automation MELSEC iQ-R automation platform can now achieve even greater productivity and lower cycle times with the introduction of the C80 Series CNC. The rack-based C80 features a CNC-dedicated CPU to maximize the control's performance.

Milwaukee Tool announces the next breakthrough in M18 FUEL, a 18V large angle grinder. The new M18 FUEL 7"/9" large angle grinder generates the power of a 15-amp corded LAG, is up to 2 lbs. lighter than the leading corded unit, and features a 9" grinding capacity.

If you've ever struggled with inserts coming loose during a slotting operation, keep reading. How about inconsistent slot widths, fumbling with awkward screws and inserts on a slotting cutter, or having to use a piece of shim stock to pry wedged chips from deep inside a slotted workpiece?

Kitamura Machinery announced its new SUPERCELL-300G 5-axis, horizontal flexible manufacturing cell. It has a 20-station APC with work ID system and 174 tool matrix-style tool.changer.

The latest release of the Radan sheet-metal solution, by Vero Software, includes new functionality giving users a greater degree of manual control where flexibility is required for certain aspects of their individual production processes.

WIDIA has announced a special collaboration with H. Gerstner & Sons to bring two shop originals together in a limited-edition H. Gerstner & Sons tool chest. H. Gerstner & Sons has been recognized for more than 100 years as the manufacturer of iconic tool chests designed to store journeyman's tools and precision measuring tools.