Software & Digital Solutions

END USER: Superior Drilling Products, (435) 789-0594, www.superiordrillingproducts.com. CHALLENGE: Without prior experience, program a multitask machine. SOLUTION: Using CAM software with online training resources and local support.

Many manufacturers apply finishes such as black oxide, metal plating, adhesives and sealants to their parts. One key question is whether to apply those finishes in-house or outsource the operation. For many shops, the decision is based on part volume, cost of capital and practical considerations.

Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAM software for programming CNC machine tools, offers two new GibbsCAM options specialized for simplifying the machining of turbo machinery parts (rotary parts with blades).

For the July 2011 Get With The Program column, Cutting Tool Engineering turned to Okuma America Corp. to address remote control for machine diagnostics.

Gibbs and Associates announced that it has released GibbsCAM 2011, with dozens of enhancements to make NC programming easier and faster.

Part Time columnist Bill Kennedy visits a Minnesota job shop that makes "light" work of a challenging part in the June issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

END USER: Single Source Inc., (574) 656-3400, www.singlesourceinc.us. CHALLENGE: Reduce programming and setup times when producing increasingly complex parts. SOLUTION: A combination of CAD/CAM software and mill/turn machines. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: DMG/Mori Seiki USA Inc., (877) 275-6674, www.dmgmoriseikiusa.com; DP Technology Corp., (805) 388-6000, www.dptechnology.com; Ellison Technologies, (630) 393-8900, www.ellisontechnologies.com

END USER: Alpha Machining and Grinding Inc., (704) 871-2183, www.alphamachiningandgrinding.com. CHALLENGE: Achieve cost savings through multiple process improvements. SOLUTION: Magnetic workholding and variable-index, variable-helix endmills.

The Get With The Program column for the May 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering looks at designing cutting tools using finite element analysis.

CTE Editor Alan Richter covers a cognitive factory that "thinks" for itself in his April 2011 Look Ahead column.

END USER: Holmatro USA, (410) 768-9662, www.holmatro-usa.com. CHALLENGE: Maximize productivity by facilitating tool acquisition and application. SOLUTION: Electronic tool catalog and application recommendation software.

Get With The Program column for the March 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering looks at software that can handle material problems as they arise.