Machining

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Frank Marlow, P.E.

Parts of the milling machine

Unlike lathes, which have been around for thousands of years, milling machines are less than 200 years old. Because they require much more power than hand-driven lathes, the introduction of milling machines had to wait for the invention of industrial water and steam power.

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Dr. Scott Smith

Some measurement required

Machine tool users can access the information contained in a stability lobe diagram to greatly increase productivity.

Articles • July 1, 2009

Cranking out power

Eagle Machine Inc., in Abbotsford, B.C., frequently takes on challenging jobs, such as modifying a diving bell for deep-sea submarine rescues or designing and machining a set of solid aluminum wheels for an 800-mph land speed car based on an F-104 jet aircraft. Owner Steve Green said, "People come to us with the craziest things because other people tell them, 'the only place you can go is Eagle Machine.' "

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Keith Jennings

Simplifying Communications

Our shop uses several tools to help us communicate easier and more effectively. These methods are well-tested, readily available, cost-effective and, in my experience, underutilized by machine shops.n

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Alan Richter

Reducing a machine tool’s energy consumption helps achieve ‘green’ machining

Manufacturing is an energy-intensive activity. The U.S. government estimates that manufacturing consumes about one-third of the energy used in the country, stated Scott Hibbard, vice president of technology for Bosch Rexroth Corp., Hoffman Estates, Ill., in his paper "Six keys to sustainable manufacturing."

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Alan Richter

Mills Made-to-Order

Applying "off-the-shelf," standard milling tools to get the job done provides several benefits: the tools are readily available and usually from numerous suppliers, their prices are competitive and the results are predictable. Nonetheless, even with a multitude of standard tools available for nearly every milling application, parts manufacturers often require specials engineered for a specific application.

Articles • July 1, 2009

Fire suppression systems can protect machining centers—and your shop

Because they produce chips at high operating temperatures, often with oil-based coolants present, machine tools can easily catch fire. However, if shops plan ahead for this possibility by installing fire suppression systems, they can avoid catastrophic damage to the machine and the shop itself.

Articles • July 1, 2009 • Bill Kennedy

Tip-Top Productivity

Drilling, milling, EDMing, laser cutting, trepanning, punching; there are almost as many ways to make holes as there are holes to be made. Drilling, the most common holemaking method, itself includes many tool material and configuration options.

Articles • July 1, 2009

Practicing routine grinding machine maintenance produces productivity gains

Because of the array of precision functions grinding machines perform, it's vital to properly maintain them to keep them operating at their peak in terms of accuracy and reliability. You can start by devising a maintenance program and sticking with it. This article provides tips on how to set up key parts of that program.

Articles • June 1, 2009 • Edward Rossman

Minimizing titanium part warpage

Shop Operations column for June 2009 issue.

Articles • June 1, 2009 • Bill Kennedy

Taking it to Titanium

Reaming titanium is a challenging task, but new tools can give shops an edge as they battle this difficult-to-machine material.

Articles • June 1, 2009 • Jeffrey A. Badger, Ph.D.

Keeping your cool with salesmen

As the Grinding Doc column for June 2009 issue.