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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
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Hypertherm
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Roll
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James
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Molybdenum
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Ai
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Vericut
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Siemens
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Fanuc
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Turnkey
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Super
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Robotmaster
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Pronest
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Online
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Tap
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Optical
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Machinist
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Broaching
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Fatigue
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Photo
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Makino
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Erp
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Countersink
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Flame
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Fives
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Centerless
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Garant
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Filtration
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Go
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Dual
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Okuma
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Acme
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Tapping
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Raw
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Co2
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Pre
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Total
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Moving
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Abb
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Formula
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Pick
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Automating
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Sic
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Pipe
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Coordinate
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Tramp
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Thermal
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Cmm
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Ceramic
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Case Hardening
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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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Latest articles, videos, products, and news from across CTE that fit the same machining-learning path.
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Avoiding machine crashes, part 2
Presented this month are more programming tips to help prevent machine tool crashes.
Spindle maintenance pays
Every machine tool owner can reap benefits from a good spindle maintenance program. These include reductions in costly unplanned machine downtime, longer spindle life and improved part quality. But effective spindle maintenance requires perseverance and the appropriate technology—plus a little common sense.
Testing, testing…: General Industry Coverage
How often should a metalworking fluid be tested? It depends. Metalworking fluid is used in most machine shops, because it aids in evacuating chips and cooling and lubricating the tool/workpiece interface. To optimize fluid performance, it must be maintained, which is done by testing a fluid for performance and chemistry.
Controlling the process
Careful consideration when implementing inspection processes yields efficiencies. Manufacturers continually search for ways to increase profits and reduce costs. Trying to find cost savings where chips are made makes sense and is usually where the most-significant improvements are found. However, efficiency gains can also be made in nonvalue-adding areas, like inspection.
Chips Away: Turning Performance
The chip collection bin at a shop's turning center is full, so a worker grudgingly begins the mundane task of moving the bin via a forklift to the chip collection station at the opposite end of the plant.
Gaging nonconforming parts: General Industry Coverage
Do you know why your last part run had a high defect rate, why parts from an outside supplier were nonconforming, and what you are going to do with those parts? If your company has a material review board, it can probably answer those questions.
Improving employee morale: Industry Trends & Analysis
Whether your shop is busy or struggling to survive a downturn, employees are your best asset. We've had to downsize over the past few months, but a good group remains. Many are handling new tasks, but a reengineering of employees' tasks can be beneficial, driving everyone to work smarter, not harder.
Better Threaders: General Industry Coverage
When CNC wire EDMs came on the market in the mid-'70s, feeding wire from a spool through a machine's elaborate series of rollers and guides was a tedious manual exercise. Luckily, electrical discharge machining was an exceedingly slow process back then, so replacing wire had to be done less frequently than on today's machines, which erode conductive metal 10 to 20 times faster than earlier models.
TYKMA Electrox unveils new branding
TYKMA Electrox, Chillicothe, Ohio, a worldwide supplier of industrial laser systems, in February introduced a new brand identity following the year-old merger between TYKMA Technologies and Electrox Laser Marking Systems.
ActiveEdge Boring Tool
Rigibore's ActiveEdge is an automatically adjustable boring tool, allowing a close tolerance bore diameter to be maintained without the need for an operator's intervention. This innovative system allows micron-accurate adjustments to be made on up to five individually adjustable cutting edges on the boring tool.
Mycenter-HX250G Horizontal Machining Center
Kitamura's Mycenter-HX250G HMC offers up a small footprint with ultrahigh level accuracies. This unique powerhouse has a standard two-station APC with full 4-axis capabilities for drilling, milling, boring, tapping, threading and much more. A standard high-speed 15,000-rpm, dual-contact spindle is ideal for tougher cuts with a 30,000-rpm option for more highly intricate part processing.
Forte Broaches
Somma Tool Co. announces a new line of broaches called Forte. Forte broaches are made of tough broaching material. It is the company's new standard stock material, replacing M2.