Articles

Basics 15 May 2007

Understanding Absolute and Incremental Compensation

Learning to manipulate absolute and incremental CNC compensation can not only extend the life of a given machine but also ultimately result in improved manufacturing flexibility, accuracy, and quality.

15 May 2007

Achieving Lean Success - A Holistic Approach

In order to understand the opportunities for extending the lean philosophy across the entire enterprise, it is important to understand the guiding principles of lean and the elements that comprise a truly lean initiative. At its most basic, lean is a focus on greater operational efficiency, the elimination of waste throughout the organization, and continuous improvement.

Holemaking 15 May 2007

Repetitive Part Cutting: Improve Productivity by Learning Path Error

Significant improvements in speed and accuracy are now possible by using a CNC system that can learn and correct for its path error. Expanding the functions of learning control past specialized machines into general machining is the next step in the evolution. Now learning functions can be applied to free profile machining, drilling and tapping. The benefits of applying learning control come from its ability to correct for path and synchronous error seen in repetitive cycles. Once learning is complete reduced cycle times and increased accuracy result.

Workholding 8 May 2007

Workholding That Holds Off Chatter

Clamping fixtures can be part of the problem when chatter occurs in a high speed machining process. Researchers have now discovered that clamping fixtures can also be part of the solution. A supplier of integrated tooling systems has developed palletized workholding that uses a viscoelastic layer to absorb vibrational energy, thus reducing the tendency for a machining process to cause chatter. The benefits of this technology are improved surface finish, lower cutting forces and longer tool life.

CAD/CAM 4 May 2007

Unattended Machining Makes Oral Orthotics More Affordable

This shop makes the oral devices that helped the shop owner and members of his family. Unattended machining is the key to making this therapy more accessible.

Workholding 1 May 2007

Expanding The Expanding Mandrel's Usefulness

This expanding mandrel is designed to locate and hold thin-walled parts on the ID to avoid distortion during precision machining. It can also be used to hold heavy parts with large bores for heavy machining operations.

Large Part Machining 1 May 2007

Vacuum Workholding Method Fits New Machining Strategy

Increased demand for armor plating components led this shop to completely revamp its machining technique. Rather than machining individual workpieces, the shop produces multiple components nested in an aluminum plate. A custom vacuum workholding system plays a significant role in this new strategy.

Basics 1 May 2007

Why We Use Honing

A gear manufacturer describes the advantages it realizes by sizing and finishing bores through automated honing.

1 May 2007

Let's Get Fired Up

Helldoom the Bloodslurper, a set of lower teeth, a finger ring shaped like a skull and a curvy appliance handle—these were some of the objects arrayed on the countertop as part of a display at a recent trade show. The odd assortment had three things in common, the most important being a powerful appeal to the imagination.