Chris Koepfer Editor Emeritus

3 Jan 2002

Hidden In Plain View

As 2002 begins, we all continue to reel from the events of September 11 along with the domestic and foreign war on terrorism that it spawned. One of the few positive aspects that I’ve seen come out of the tragedy of September 11 has been a dramatically increased recognition and appreciation of the firefighters, police, EMTs and countless other emergency workers.

Holemaking 15 Dec 2001

One Stop Milling, Drilling, Turning And Grinding

Many shops, in an effort to reduce the handling of workpieces and get takt times (time spent in the cut) as low as possible, are looking to streamline this traditional hurry-up-and-wait process scheme.

Grinding 15 Nov 2001

Between Centers And Centerless Grinding In One Setup

It sounds like a contradiction in terms-between centers and centerless grinding on one machine. But for some categories of workpieces, it's a viable production process that can yield machining time reductions of 45 percent over separate grinding operations.

1 Nov 2001

Sharing Technology Can Be The Safer Course

Prior to this year's EMO show, two colleagues and I were invited to visit several Junker Machinery Company plants in Germany and the Czech Republic. We were invited to learn more about Junker's machine tool technology and- its business philosophy of manufacturing.

Automation 15 Oct 2001

Is It Time For Bar Fed Machining Centers?

When we think of bar feeders, usually they are associated with turning operations. Recently though, some builders have developed machining centers that incorporate bar fed raw stock. It’s an interesting idea for the right applications and one that can economically reduce material handling and fixturing requirements on machining centers. Here’s a look at how they work.

1 Oct 2001

Back To The Future

Life's benchmarks come in many shapes and sizes. Like mileposts, we tend to blow by them unaware until they add up to a significant distance.

Inspection and Measurement 15 Sep 2001

Opening Up Metrology

The current state of metrology equipment mimics the disparity of spoken languages. Proprietary operating systems, available on metrology equipment from CMMs to hand-held electronic gages, are unique to the manufacturer. Getting data from one measurement operating system into another requires translation and interpretation of the data. In many cases, just like language, some design intent and nuances of the data can get lost in translation.

1 Sep 2001

Groovin' In Tennessee

In business, there’s a maxim that says showing up is 80 percent of the job. What that means, of course, is getting out and physically visiting customers is a key to success.

1 Aug 2001

What Makes People Professionals?

In sports, it's easy to tell the professionals from the amateurs. Professional athletes ply their trades for money.

15 Jul 2001

New Twist On Rotary Transfer Machines

Rotary transfer machines are productive high volume producers of a wide variety of workpieces. While traditional rotary transfer machines are very capable of volume production of complex workpieces, they tend to be more dedicated with regard to job changeover, with the exception of families of parts.

Basics 1 Jul 2001

Why Work In A Machine Shop?

With all due respect to David Letterman, the following is my attempt to consolidate some of the top reasons why earning one's livelihood cutting metal is a good thing. Family and friends only ask you once what you do for a living.

Automation 1 Jun 2001

Multi-Axis Drill Sharpening Made Easy

Today, metalworking is privy to some very remarkable performances by the combination of things mechanical and things electronic--mechtronics. We've seen the reality of lights out shift operations. Programming systems that make what was state of the art 5 years ago seem like writing with a hammer and chisel. An example of the melding of mechtronics is this new drill sharpening system.