Mark Albert Editor Emeritus

13 Dec 2004

JIMTOF Puts Nanotechnology Under Magnification

The big theme at the Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF) was nanotechnology—the ability to produce parts to submicron accuracy.

Micromachining 13 Dec 2004

Getting To Submicron Accuracy

Machie tools designed for submicron accuracy and subminiature workpieces are following design strategies that depart from conventional practice. The Hyper2J from Makino is described as a case in point.

1 Nov 2004

Over-Commitment Is Under-Commitment

Any manager of a job shop knows that it would be a big mistake to take on work that the shop doesn’t have the time or resources to handle. The overload would surely cause at least one missed delivery, and maybe more.

Grinding 28 Oct 2004

Vertical Grinding Has Advantages

In vertical grinding, the workpiece is held upright in a rotary chuck with the grinding spindle overhead. This configuration can improve roundness, facilitate single-setup processing and prolong the life of the machine. Loading and unloading may gets easier, too. Workpieces with relatively large diameters and short lengths benefit the most from vertical grinding.

Automation 15 Oct 2004

Lean Manufacturing Shapes A Cell

A machining cell that seeks to optimize product flow may look very different from a cell that seeks to optimize a machining process.

Micromachining 14 Oct 2004

Wire EDM Goes Horizontal

Wire EDM (electrical discharge machining) has been configured with the wire in a vertical orientation for decades, so the appearance of a wire machine that orients the wire horizontally is truly a novel development.

1 Oct 2004

Let's Not Play Games With Overtime

New regulations regarding overtime pay went into effect in August, amid much controversy and debate. Affecting mostly white-collar employees, these regulations were promoted as an attempt by the Department of Labor (DoL) to make the rules clearer, simpler, easier to enforce and more reflective of today's job duties, pay rates and work environment.

1 Sep 2004

Made On/For TV

Manufacturing is real. It can be really cool, too.

Holemaking 16 Aug 2004

Inside The Mind Of The Drill Designer

Designing hole-making tools is a game of compromises, says Goran Melin, drilling product manager at Seco Carboloy. 'Where you gain in one area, you must pay somewhere else,' he says. The trade-offs usually include tool life, accuracy and stability. Tool designers are constantly juggling these variables to find the best solution.

1 Aug 2004