Chris Koepfer Editor Emeritus

1 Jul 2000

Everywhere A Dot-Com

We all pretty much know that the recently concluded Eastec Show in Springfield, Massachusetts, is billed as a machine tool technology show. Indeed it is that.

Horizontal Machining Centers 15 Jun 2000

Are Two Ballscrews Better Than One?

A dual ballscrew arrangement on the Z axis leaves the middle of the base open for chip evacuation, solving the problem on table feed Z-axis, horizontal machining centers.

Machining Centers 15 Jun 2000

For Unattended Machining, Attend To Pre-Process

Efficient use of labor is a primary goal of unattended machining. To successfully reduce process intervention, all of the manufacturing disciplines must participate. Accomplishing this requires detailed pre-process planning, which is the key to optimizing machine, material and manpower resources.

Workholding 15 May 2000

Is Magnetic Workholding For You?

Holding metal parts with magnets is migrating from surface grinding to broader application in general metalworking processes, especially milling. Advances in magnetic technology are causing many shops to re-evaluate how they hang on to workpieces. Here’s a look at how magnets may be a viable workholding solution for your shop.

1 May 2000

Heads Up; Here Come Ergonomics

Once again our friends at OSHA have devised a new and exciting plan to help manufacturing fill all those idle hours and assign surplus workers to meaningful work filling out reports. Hmmm, that probably sounds sarcastic.

Die/Mold 15 Apr 2000

Unique's Approach To Mold Making

This Canadian mold making shop, Unique Mould Makers, is aptly named. Virtually every multi-cavity injection mold set made for the manufacture of caps, closures, vials and other packaging applications is indeed unique. One might think that automation and standardization would not be of interest to such a shop. Think again!

15 Apr 2000

Bolt-On Microfinishing

The process of microfinishing or superfinishing, as it's also known, is finding wider application in metalworking. Demands for better performance in rotating components coupled with tighter manufacturing tolerances is leading shops to look at microfinishing as a final process step to achieve low and sub-micron finishes on ground parts.

1 Apr 2000

A PC In Every Pot?

There seems to be a growing movement in manufacturing, and in other industries, to recognize employees as assets. Consequently, companies are making efforts to protect and grow those assets and, more to the point, keep these assets engaged in their work so they are less likely to seek happiness at another company.

Inspection and Measurement 15 Mar 2000

Don't Touch That Tool

Tool measurement is critical to the metalcutting process. Exact knowledge of a cutter’s length, diameter, even profile, and the ability to measure and monitor these dimensions over time, can reduce variability and help optimize the process. Here’s a look at how non-contact tool measurement and breakage detection benefit your metalcutting process.

Shop Management Software 15 Mar 2000

Quicker Tool Change For Mills

This article examines a retrofitted mechanical drawbar system with a preset die spring that enables an operator to manually do what a machining center does automatically--change tools quickly.

1 Mar 2000

Put Me In, Coach

Many companies in manufacturing today have organized themselves into working teams. Managers have become coaches, while workers have become players.

Oil & Gas 1 Mar 2000

Troubleshooting Your Way Oil System

An expensive lesson that many shops learn too late is that the automatic oil system on their CNC machine tool may not be completely automatic. Since the automatic oil system is designed to give a warning when the oil tank is empty, many machinists simply assume all is well if the alarm doesn't go off.