Machining

Articles • February 3, 2017 • Jeffrey A. Badger, Ph.D.

Ask The Grinding Doc: Decrease diameter, increase speed

Dear Doc: I installed a variable-speed drive on a cylindrical grinder. The wheels start at 18" and stub-out at 15". Should I increase the rpm as the wheel diameter gets smaller? Read the full report for the Doc's reply.

News • February 3, 2017

Machine shop’s journey into hybrid manufacturing

Metal additive manufacturing has yet to fully break into mainstream manufacturing operations. While the market is growing significantly, it's still rare to find metal 3D-printing capabilities outside large corporations or advanced research institutions. It's particularly rare to find the capability married with advanced multiple-axis CNC machining capabilities. Imperial Machine & Tool Co., Columbia, N.J., is an advanced manufacturing company that has done just that.

Articles • February 2, 2017 • James Harvey

Shop Operations: Becoming familiar with a machine

Have a person familiar with a machine go over it with you. A person showing you how to do something can filter unneeded information, according to the Shop Operations column in the February 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Products • February 1, 2017

GARANT HB 7010-1 Turning Grade

The Hoffman Group offers a turning grade for machining steel. The GARANT HB 7010-1 turning grade was developed to achieve wear resistance at the highest cutting speeds, according to the company.

Products • February 1, 2017

SS207-5AX LaserSwiss

Tsugami Automation and Tsugami/Rem Sales offer their newest LaserSwiss, an SS207-5AX LaserSwiss with an integrated welding system. The 20 mm, 7-axis CNC machine integrates two SPI laser systems, one for cutting operations and a second one for welding.

Articles • January 31, 2017 • Alan Richter

A mountain (bike) of chips

END USER: North Bucks Machining Ltd., +1908-611-669, www.northbucksmachining.co.uk. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Open Mind Technologies USA Inc., (888) 516-1232, www.openmind-tech.com. CHALLENGE: Efficiently rough-machine a mountain bike frame from a solid piece of aluminum stock. SOLUTION: A CAM software's high-performance roughing module.

Articles • January 31, 2017 • William Leventon

Machine Technology: Alternatives to hand-feeding machines

More lathe purchasers are choosing automated material handling options, according to the February 2017 Machine Technology column by Bill Leventon.

Products • January 31, 2017

µV5 (micro V5) Micro Milling Machine

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co. Ltd. has developed the "µV5" (micro V5) micro milling machine, the latest in its µV (micro V) series. The µV5 has a bigger working surface table and wider process stroke than the current µV1, allowing for high-efficiency machining with micrometer-level (1/1,000 mm) precision for large products or those that require fine milling using small diameter tools, such as molds for car optical components.

Articles • January 30, 2017 • Keith Jennings

Manager’s Desk: Inspiration from immigration

There have been days when it was easy to be a pessimist and see the glass as half-empty. But eventually, perhaps when least expected, something provides inspiration and my inner optimism returns. One such event occurred with an employee I'll call "Mario." Manager's Desk Column by Keith Jennings.

Articles • January 27, 2017 • Kip Hanson

Pint-sized precision

If you enjoy the growl of heavy milling cuts, the machine-gun sound of chips striking glass and the heady odor of superheated cutting fluid, a compact machining center might not be the right machine for you. Like I used to, you scoff at phone booth-sized machining centers, with their tiny toolholders and tables not much larger than a 6" machinist vise. If so, you're not looking at the big picture.

Articles • January 26, 2017 • Alan Richter

Sounds of the season

Working in the bleak midwinter while the metalcutting sector transitions through a downturn sounds like a recipe for the blues. But it doesn't have to be. When things are a bit slow, it can be a good time to do some housekeeping and other chores around the shop that get put on the backburner during more active times. Investing in automation and other productivity-boosting equipment can also be wise during a soft stretch.

Products • January 26, 2017

ALU/NF CUT Carbide Burs

The comprehensive line of ALU/NF CUT carbide burs from PFERD reportedly brings new levels of machining performance particularly to aluminum applications. Aluminum has grown increasingly popular in industry because of its special properties, such as extreme durability, low weight, exceptional corrosion resistance and uncomplicated recycling. Processing the many different aluminum alloys, however, can be complex.