Resources
CTE
Resources
Curated machining knowledge, tools, and pathways — organized by purpose.
MFGAxis — Buyer’s Guide
Company listings, capabilities, certifications, and specialties — organized for buyers and engineers.
Machining References
Curated technical references for machinists and engineers.
Machining Calculators
Feeds, speeds, formulas, and shop calculators.
Wire
Search-driven resource hub for wire.
Hypertherm
Search-driven resource hub for hypertherm.
Roll
Search-driven resource hub for roll.
James
Search-driven resource hub for james.
Molybdenum
Search-driven resource hub for molybdenum.
Ai
Search-driven resource hub for ai.
Vericut
Search-driven resource hub for vericut.
Siemens
Search-driven resource hub for siemens.
Fanuc
Search-driven resource hub for fanuc.
Turnkey
Search-driven resource hub for turnkey.
Super
Search-driven resource hub for super.
Robotmaster
Search-driven resource hub for robotmaster.
Pronest
Search-driven resource hub for pronest.
Online
Search-driven resource hub for online.
Tap
Search-driven resource hub for tap.
Optical
Search-driven resource hub for optical.
Machinist
Search-driven resource hub for machinist.
Broaching
Search-driven resource hub for broaching.
Fatigue
Search-driven resource hub for fatigue.
Photo
Search-driven resource hub for photo.
Makino
Search-driven resource hub for makino.
Erp
Search-driven resource hub for erp.
Countersink
Search-driven resource hub for countersink.
Flame
Search-driven resource hub for flame.
Fives
Search-driven resource hub for fives.
Centerless
Search-driven resource hub for centerless.
Garant
Search-driven resource hub for garant.
Filtration
Search-driven resource hub for filtration.
Go
Search-driven resource hub for go.
Dual
Search-driven resource hub for dual.
Okuma
Search-driven resource hub for okuma.
Acme
Search-driven resource hub for acme.
Tapping
Search-driven resource hub for tapping.
Raw
Search-driven resource hub for raw.
Co2
Search-driven resource hub for co2.
Pre
Search-driven resource hub for pre.
Total
Search-driven resource hub for total.
Moving
Search-driven resource hub for moving.
Abb
Search-driven resource hub for abb.
Formula
Search-driven resource hub for formula.
Pick
Search-driven resource hub for pick.
Automating
Search-driven resource hub for automating.
Sic
Search-driven resource hub for sic.
Pipe
Search-driven resource hub for pipe.
Coordinate
Search-driven resource hub for coordinate.
Tramp
Search-driven resource hub for tramp.
Thermal
Search-driven resource hub for thermal.
Cmm
Search-driven resource hub for cmm.
Ceramic
Search-driven resource hub for ceramic.
Case Hardening
Search-driven resource hub for case hardening.
Insert Geometry
Insert identification, lead angle, indexable insert geometry, and selection references.
Boring
Boring heads, U-axis systems, contour boring, and setup references.
Cutting Forces
Cutting-force formulas, machining power, chip load, and speed/feed references.
Workholding
Workholding strategy, zero-point clamping, fixturing, and setup efficiency.
Threading
Threading calculators, tapping guidance, thread milling, and related tooling.
Authors
Browse CTE contributors and subject-matter experts.
Glossary
Definitions of machining and manufacturing terms.
Machining Fundamentals & Tooling References
Core explainers and shop-floor references for speeds, feeds, forces, insert identification, heat treatment, and cutter geometry.
Process Spotlights & Manufacturing Systems
Inspection, automation, digitalization, and application-specific reads that complement the core machining references above.
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Constant growth in the micro market
For Microlution Inc., which reports more than 100 micromilling and laser machining platforms installed worldwide, growth has been a constant since its inception in 2005.
Enlightened inspection
Hexagon Metrology's Gary Hobart, the company's national sales manager, demonstrates the Optiv Performance multisensor optical measurement system equipped with a rotary table and a chromatic white-light sensor.
Keep the sweet spot
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 launches apprentice program
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. Developed in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College, the program offers high-school graduates a career in machine mechatronics, a discipline incorporating electrical, electronic and mechanical studies, providing all graduates an advanced associate's degree.
CIMCOOL holds contest
CIMCOOL Fluid Technology, a Cincinnati-based provider of fluid technology, announced a contest in which the company will provide a year's supply of CIMCOOL fluids for one winner, up to a maximum value of $10,000. This offer is open to business entities engaged in the manufacturing industry having operations that utilize metalworking fluids.
BIG Kaiser model expands to Europe, Asia
After more than 30 years of working together, collet chuck producer BIG Daishowa Seiki Co. Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) and tooling provider KAISER Precision Tooling Ltd. (Rümlang, Switzerland) have solidified their longtime partnership in the European and Asian markets. The two companies have come together to create a mutually beneficial distribution network similar to the decade-old US-based BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc, Hoffman Estates, Ill. BIG Kaiser Germany ran as a pilot project to test efficacy of such a model in the European market and the company's success paved the way for a larger European partnership executed through KAISER Switzerland.
Merger creates Sandvik Hyperion
Diamond Innovations merged with Sandvik Hard Materials as of Jan. 1, 2014, to create a new business, Sandvik Hyperion, focused on applied materials. The new company, with U.S. headquarters in Fair Lawn, N.J., has a broader portfolio of materials solutions and increased scale in R&D and application development. Sandvik Hyperion supplies cemented tungsten carbide, tungsten-carbide powders, diamond materials and CBN materials used in material-removal and wear-protection applications.
Reshoring Initiative wins ML Award
The Reshoring Initiative was honored by Frost & Sullivan's Manufacturing Leadership Council as one of the winners of the 2014 Manufacturing Leadership Awards (ML Awards) in the category of Industry Advocacy.
U.S. manufacturers tour Kaiser Switzerland
Tooling manufacturer BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., hosted a group of U.S. manufacturers on a visit to the Kaiser Precision Tooling Ltd. headquarters in Rümlang, Switzerland, in February. The third annual event paired educational presentations, tours of the assembly and machining areas and traditional Swiss hospitality. "The challenges of manufacturing are universal," Dennis Rosene, owner, Rosene Machine, Firth, Neb., said. "Visiting factories outside the U.S. can help us find new ways to solve the same challenges we face at home."
Justifying custom cutting tools
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.
Still more CNC lathe tips
Following the theme of the past two Shop Operations columns, here are some additional tips and tricks for operating a CNC lathe.
Refurbishing toolmaking productivity
Reduce equipment uptime and improve productivity when friction welding cutting tool shanks to heads. Replacing an old friction welding machine with a refurbished one.