Resources

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 15, 2009 Daniel McCann

Spot On: Turning Performance

The timing of the IMTS trade show in Chicago last September couldn't have been better for Jason Bromiley. As vice president and co-owner of John R. Bromiley Machine Co. Inc., a job shop in Chalfont, Pa., Bromiley has the lead role in company plans to expand into aerospace manufacturing. Early last fall, the firm already was working on attaining the requisite certification (AS 9100B and ISO 9001:2008). And, as IMTS rolled around, Bromiley was in the market for equipment that would both streamline his shop's current w

Articles July 15, 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 15, 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 July 15, 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 15, 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 15, 2009 Bill Kennedy

Tip-Top Productivity: Drilling Performance

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.

Videos July 15, 2009

Tip-Top Productivity

CTE's July cover story examines drills with interchangeable carbidetips, while the accompanying video shows how interchangeable-tip drills permit quick inspection and replacement.