Machining

With approximately 25 percent longer tool life, the new KCSM30 milling grade from Kennametal directly reduces cost-per-part for shops working on titanium, according to the company.

Autodesk announced the commercial availability of Inventor HSM, an integrated CAM solution for Inventor users.

FANUC America Corp. offers the arbitrary speed threading option on 0i-TD and 0i Mate-TD CNCs for new turning machines.

GF Machining Solutions designed its new Mikron HSM 500 MoldMaster (MM) high-speed milling machine with today's mold and die makers in mind.

ESAB Welding and Cutting Products announces the release of Columbus III version 1.2, a powerful CAD/CAM programming and nesting software optimized for plasma, oxy-fuel, laser and waterjet cutting.

A shop that cylindrical-grinds tungsten-carbide is running into trouble maintaining optimal parameters when switching to a larger diameter. Dr. Jeffrey Badger, the host of Cutting Tool Engineering's Grinding Doc Video Series, offers some insight.

EMAG LLC, a Farmington Hills, Mich.-based machine tool supplier, has launched an apprentice training program to encourage continuing growth in Michigan's mechatronics manufacturing industry and ensure an advanced workforce to close the sector's skills gap.

When possible, manufacturers should avoid applying custom cutting tools because they typically cost more than standard catalog items and can be used only for a single purpose. In addition, it is difficult to substitute other tools in place of a special when it is out of stock, and lead times for new custom tools can be long.

Following the theme of the past two Shop Operations columns, here are some additional tips and tricks for operating a CNC lathe.

Reduce equipment uptime and improve productivity when friction welding cutting tool shanks to heads. Replacing an old friction welding machine with a refurbished one.

Reduce setup and changeover time on lathes with live tooling. A modular quick-change collet system.

Up productivity without increasing payroll. Adding robotic production.