Chris Koepfer Editor Emeritus

15 Jan 2003

New 'Ways' For Hard Turning

This company went to work to improve the surface finish and tool life in hard turning applications.

3 Jan 2003

At the recent JIMTOF show in Tokyo (see Evolving To Face Reality), I had the opportunity to visit two examples of machine tool builders that seem poised for continued success. Mazak and Mori Seiki are examples of how machine tools used to be done.

Grinding 15 Dec 2002

Pushing The Profile

A collaborative effort by three grinding companies has resulted in a process for creating profiles in diamond grinding wheels. It solved a knotty manufacturing problem for one Connecticut manufacturer and holds promise for others.

1 Dec 2002

Now More Than Ever

I'm betting few of you out there in Modern Machine Shop land will be crushed to see the year 2002 pass. It has been tough.

Workholding 15 Nov 2002

Clamping Difficult Workpieces With Ice

What does a shop do with a workpiece that needs machining but can't be toe-clamped, bolted, chucked or held in a conventional vise? Securely holding many so called exotic materials - ceramics, carbides, glass, and other brittle blanks - is a challenge. The Ice Vice may offer a solution.

1 Nov 2002

Isolation Or Competitiveness?

In spite of the attractiveness of the concept of isolationism, which seems to get resurrected during hard times, we simply cannot close down our borders to the outside world and try to create our own introspective version of Utopia. The planet is too interdependent.

Grinding 15 Oct 2002

Internal Grinding Spindle Listens To See

This company has taken the use of acoustical technology for grinding machines in a different direction. It has placed a wide frequency acoustic sensor directly into the high frequency spindle of an internal grinder.

1 Oct 2002

Some Good News

Normally, when a machine tool builder sells a machine it's not particularly big news, except of course for the builder. Unfortunately, its become easier and easier for virtually anything positive in manufacturing to be newsworthy.

Shop Management Software 15 Sep 2002

Automating Time Studies

This company has created a system that replaces the stopwatch and clipboard system of time study and the manual data transfer and analysis process.

Workforce Development 1 Sep 2002

School Days Reunion

I recently attended my high school class reunion. It's amazing how old many of my classmates have become.

1 Aug 2002

Say It Ain't Show, Joe

As you peruse this special, biennial issue of Modern Machine Shop, it is difficult to avoid the fact that North America's premier manufacturing event is upon us. Yes, IMTS is here.

1 Jul 2002

Rub Of The Green

I love the game of golf. I've been trying to play it since the tender age of 12.