Machining

martCAMcnc has announced the release of SmartCAM V19.5. Version 19.5 continues the tradition of focusing the mid-year SmartCAM release on turning improvements, but also incorporates some milling enhancements that build on functionality introduced in version 19.0.

A shop that grinds tungsten carbide with resin-bonded diamond wheels sought help to settle a disagreement over how hard to stick the wheel. Now that there are machines with auto-stickers, shop staffers are even more confused. Dr. Jeffrey Badger, the host of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine's Grinding Doc Video Series, offers some suggestions in the 34th episode of the video series.

A metalworking products review, as published in the October 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

END USER: K-Fab Inc., (408) 727-5311, www.k-fabinc.com. CHALLENGE: Increase spindle utilization for a vertical machining center while reducing labor requirements. SOLUTION: A nonrobotic automation system for VMCs.

END USER: Whirlpool Corp., (269) 923-5000, www.whirlpool.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate damage to toolchanger arms on vertical machining centers when replacing a step tool that exceeded the weight capacity. SOLUTION: A lighter, module-style, combination cutting tool. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Mapal Inc., (810) 364-8020, www.mapal.us.

This Look Ahead item features a CNC gear honing machine that uses a honing wheel with external teeth and reduces the number of process stages.

Shop Operations columnist Tom Lipton offers some suggestions for improving the design of manual milling machines in the October 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

In his October 2012 Machine Technology column, Dr. Scott Smith, professor at the William States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, outlines the reasons stable milling zones appear the way they do.

The debut Shop Technology column focuses on limiting toolcrib items and vendors to boost productivity.

How many times does a project break down just from trying achieve perfection? Machinist's Corner columnist Michael Deren urges readers not to let perfect trump better.

Manager's Desk columnist Keith Jennings discusses the balance between face time with employees and time management.

Wire EDM depends on more than machine settings alone. This guide reviews the setup, maintenance, and process controls that most affect wire-EDM performance.