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Smoothing Insert Surfaces Extends Tool Life
A post-coating finishing process smoothes any cracks in the outer coating of a cutting tool insert that develop during CVD and also removes droplets that PVD might leave behind. The resulting reduction in friction, heat and surface stresses is said to extend tool life and cutting performance.
Read MoreWhat Makes For A Good Shop Web Site?
I am no Web site design guru. However, I do often surf the Web in search of progressive contract shops to feature in the magazine, and I know what I’d like to see on your shop’s site.
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An Alternate Route For Generating An Alternate Tool Path
A universal toolpath engine for roughing pockets optimizes cycle times by maintaining a constant material removal rate regardless of part geometry. This toolpath engine is not a CAM system. Instead, users pay a monthly fee to upload geometries to a secure Internet server and quickly receive tool paths that can be used with any CAM system.
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Creating Workpiece Blanks Via Adiabatic Cutoff
Adiabatic cutting is an alternative cutoff process for high-production machining applications. It uses kinetic energy to create a shockwave of sorts that softens a narrow, vertical plane through barstock material. The energy is converted into heat faster than the material being cut can dissipate it, and this controlled plastic deformation separates the material.
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Turn, Mill And Laser-Harden In One Setup
A new turn-mill platform combines turning and four-axis milling with integral laser hardening and laser welding in one workpiece setup. This enables shops to bring often-outsourced laser treatment in-house to reduce lead times.
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Automated Production Of Oil-Drill Couplings
A machining cell combines lathes, a robot and a conveyor system to enable automated production of precision oil-drill couplings.
Read MoreHaving Problems With Power Outages?
Power outages are often unavoidable. Just ask Paul Van Metre, vice president of marketing and sales at Pro CNC (
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Start-Up Shop Makes Splash Machining Aluminum Guitars
This shop needed a CNC machine to produce aluminum guitars. Equipped with probing capability and the visual quick code (VQC) programming system, the Hass VF-3 VMC has the flexibility to product not only guitars, but also a range of other components, including aerospace tooling, nautical components and automotive parts.
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In It For The Long Haul
Curt Reed uses advanced grinding techniques in the pursuit of short-run, sub-micron work that other shops can’t perform or won’t attempt. His shop’s commitment to its customers is reflected in the high level of equipment sophistication and applied grinding acumen.
WatchUK Shop Strategies
Shops in the UK are in the same boat as those in the States in terms of weathering global competition. A recent visit to England revealed competitive waters that may be a bit choppier than ours, where work is being pulled into Eastern Europe as well as Asia.
Read MoreAir-Actuated Boring Tool Offers In-Process Gaging
An air-actuated boring tool semi-finishes cylinders on the down stroke and finishes on the up stroke. In-process gaging compensates for tool wear to maintain bore accuracy.
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