MMS Blog

Workholding 10 Apr 2006

How To Handle Tall Wire EDM Work

Modular workpiece fixturing plays a vital role in this shop’s quest to win larger, more difficult wire EDM jobs.

CNC & Machine Controls 31 Mar 2006

No Wires, No Worries

A wireless network can operate safely and effectively in a hostile shop floor environment, as the experience of this welding and machining company shows. Interference from other sources of radio waves can be avoided by installing suitable data access point hardware. Data security can be established with encryption and other techniques.

30 Mar 2006

STEP NC—The End Of G-Codes?

In the not-too-distant future, the only machine tool input you'll need is a Web page.

Vertical Machining Centers 24 Mar 2006

Don’t Forget The Drawbar

The force that holds the toolholder in the machining center's spindle can weaken over time. If you haven't checked drawbar force in a while, this may be the weak link in your process.

Turn/Mill 24 Mar 2006

Turning Without Rotating The Part

For large or unbalanced parts, this machining center can perform turning or boring operations using its programmable U axis.

17 Mar 2006

Two Environmental Directives To Note

Not long ago, directives issued by governmental bodies outside the United States were often safely ignored by manufacturers in this country. Today, U.S. companies have to pay attention to laws and regulations coming from other countries because non-compliance may keep products made here out of key emerging markets.

CAD/CAM 2 Mar 2006

Practical Tips For High Speed Machining Of Dies And Molds

In die/mold work, the programmer can make the HSM process dramatically more effective. Here are some tips.

2 Mar 2006

American Factories Continue To Increase Equipment Investment

Here is a report on the findings of the 2006 World Machine Tool Output & Consumption Survey.

2 Mar 2006

Part Finishing And The New RoHS And ELV Directives

New environmental directives that have come out of Europe and Asia limit the toxic chemical content in manufactured products in order to protect users and to facilitate the recycling of these components. Restriction of Hazardous Substances legislation limits hazardous metals contained in electrical and electronic components. The ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) Directive limits polluting metals that can be contained in vehicles in order to minimize hazards caused by recycling their components. In order to comply, manufacturers will have to consider finishing processes such as a low-temperature black-oxiding process that does not use banned substances or leave them in the finished product.