General Shop Equipment & Supplies

Contrary to some politically motivated hyperbole, manufacturing is alive and well in the United States. While it is true there are far fewer manufacturing jobs in America, there are multiple reasons for that—it's not solely about manufacturers seeking cheaper labor overseas.

When you hear the phrase "preventive maintenance" what comes to mind? Do you cringe at the thought of taking your CNC machine out of production, losing precious time and money? Or are you meticulous about taking care of your investment so it will last a very long time? Here are some preventive maintenance (PM) tips to help keep your CNC lathe running at peak performance while avoiding unplanned downtime.

June U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $186.57 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR) collaboration, was down 2.8% from May's $191.93 million and up 6.0% when compared with the total of $175.97 million reported for June 2016. With a year-to-date total of $1.095 billion, 2017 is up 5.8% when compared with 2016.

The latest release of the Surfcam solution, by Vero Software, introduces a new turning cycle that includes B-axis movements while machining on a turning center. This new feature in Surfcam 2017 R2 allows greater accessibility when machining complex profiles by dynamically positioning the insert.

Designed to simplify the additive manufacturing process from 3D CAD model to printed part, the ESPRIT Additive Suite features programming, optimization and simulation for direct metal deposition, 3D powderbed and subtractive manufacturing.

Dr. Jeffrey Badger examines why many shops experience pain when cylindrical grinding a face, or shoulder, in the 81st episode of the Ask the Grinding Doc video series, which is produced in collaboration with Cutting Tool Engineering.

The Deublin Difference. Watch Cutting Tool Engineering's video coverage, featuring original footage and context from the related product, process, event, or shop-floor demonstration.

The HCN-16000Q horizontal machining center from Mazak Corp. features a double-column, quill-head design that enables the machine to perform the operations of both an HMC and a traditional boring machine. This means the machine provides processing flexibility and helps reduce part setups because it allows manufacturers to perform both deep bore and milling applications all on the same machine platform.

As a precision sheet metal machining technology, photo etching achieves exacting tolerances, is highly repeatable and in many instances is the only technology that can cost-effectively manufacture precision metal components with the accuracy necessary in demanding and often safety critical applications. Once design engineers select photo etching as their preferred metalworking process, it is important that they fully appreciate not just its versatility, but also the specific aspects of the technology that can affect—and in many instances enhance—product design. This article analyzes the key considerations that design engineers must appreciate to get the most from photo etching and benchmarks the process against other metal machining technologies.

LNS America Inc., Cincinnati, appointed Bob Bodde regional sales manager for Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Dr. Jeffrey Badger examines why many shops experience pain when cylindrical grinding a face, or shoulder, in the 81st episode of the Ask the Grinding Doc video series, which is produced in collaboration with Cutting Tool Engineering.

Pressure and flow are two common terms when it comes to air compressor systems, but the relationship between the two is often misunderstood. Choosing the wrong compressor for your facility can lead to the inability to produce products or wasted energy that increases costs. In this article, we'll get back to the basics of compressed air and examine the relationship between pressure and flow.