Machining

Articles • May 1, 2016 • William Leventon

The contours of a robotic 3D-printing platform

Arevo Labs hopes its new RAMP leads to better 3D-printed componets for the defense and aerospace industries. Arevo touts RAMP (Robot-based Additive Manufacturing Platform) as the first system of its kind optimized for 3D printing of composite thermoplastic parts. The system includes a 6-axis robot arm and end-effector hardware for deposition. RAMP can accommodate build envelopes from 1,000 cu. mm to 8 cu. m, depending on the size of the robot used. The end effector consists of a deposition head with special thermal management technology for processing carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.

Articles • May 1, 2016

Productive Times: Ground round

END USER: Crowley Tool Co., (615) 824-5594, www.crowleytool.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Schütte LLC, (800) 668-4035, www.schutteusa.com. CHALLENGE: Enhance reliability when grinding round tools. SOLUTION: A new 5-axis CNC tool and cutter grinder with linear-drive technology.

Articles • May 1, 2016

Productive Times: Coming ultrasonically clean

END USER: Van's Manufacturing Inc., (805) 522-6267. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Omegasonics, (888) 989-5560, www.omegasonics.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce the time and cost to clean machined parts. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic parts cleaner with a filtration pump.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • James Harvey

Shop Operations: Chamfering and edge dressing

The expression "There's more than one way to skin a cat" certainly applies to machining. A young programmer in our shop is constantly being run in circles by the whims of those in authority. Newcomers are in a difficult position; they not only lack experience, they generally want to please everybody.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • Keith Jennings

Manager’s Desk: Impacted by illness

I generally consider myself to be a positive person. However, these past few weeks have tested my resolve. It's not the roller-coaster daily life as a machine shop owner, but the stark reality of losing employees and friends to serious illness that's been especially hard to take. Thankfully, illness doesn't always mean death.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • Kip Hanson

Challenges in the micro-EDM world

Say "EDM" and most manufacturing folks think mold, tool and die work. Yet sinker, wire and hole-popping EDMs are often employed in conjunction with, or as alternatives to, traditional part-making processes, such as milling and turning.

Articles • May 1, 2016 • Alan Richter

Lead Angle: Invaluable resources

Early in my stint here, I called Alan Baker, founder of toolmaker A.B. Tools Inc., in connection with an article I was writing about thread milling small-diameter holes. I started the interview with a general question about available thread mills sizes for these applications and was encouraged to first gather that information from Machinery's Handbook and then call him back. I thanked him before ending the call and turning to the appropriate section of "The Bible of the Mechanical Industries," published by Industrial Press Inc.

Videos • April 29, 2016

Grinding Doc Video Series: Friable versus tough grits

Jeffrey Badger, Ph.D., , the host of Cutting Tool Engineering's Grinding Doc Video Series, explains the difference between friable grits and tough grits in the 69th episode of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine's Grinding Doc Video Series.

Products • April 29, 2016

Insert Holders

BIG KAISER announces the release of new insert holders for face grooving. The new accessories are specifically designed to fit the BIG KAISER large diameter series 318 and series 319 SW twin-cutter boring heads for ultimate system flexibility, according to the company.

News • April 29, 2016

Small shop with new tech on aerospace radar

Once word got out that PTooling, a self-described small, family-owned machine shop in Amherstburg, Canada, had added a Lasertec 65 3D laser deposition welding and milling machine to its arsenal, major aerospace manufacturers began knocking on its door.

News • April 29, 2016

German manufacturer to open 1st plant in U.S.

The Berghoff Group, a German manufacturer, recently announced plans to open its first U.S. plant, which will be located in Auburn, Ala. The company reportedly will invest $30 million to open the manufacturing facility, which is expected to create 100 precision-machining jobs over the next 5 years, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Products • April 29, 2016

MULTUS U Series Multitask CNC Lathes

Okuma's MULTUS U series general-purpose multitask CNC lathes are designed to reduce setup time, improve accuracy and keep noncutting time to a minimum. Built with Okuma's heavy-duty construction, the MULTUS U series lathes provide a sturdy platform for long-term rigidity and accuracy.