Warnings about threats to internet-enabled networks in manufacturing plants should be taken seriously without giving in to alarmist overreactions. The risks are real, but manageable, while the benefits are too compelling to forego.
A methodology for cutting in both directions on a CNC lathe promises to make turning a much more productive operation in certain applications. New types of inserts driven by new CAM tool paths are key enablers of this development, but implementing the whole multifaceted system as a system is essential.
When running a wire EDM such as the FANUC RoboCut C800iB, an automatic routine in the CNC program adds a "stitch" at a few strategically placed locations around the periphery of the core. By holding the cores in place until the entire job is finished, multi-workpiece cutting processes are able to run in an extended, unmanned mode.
Single-sided machining with a grinding wheel now offers a more productive alternative to single-sided lapping and polishing processes. The key is an in-process measurement system that enables a flat honing machine to adjust wheel pressure automatically for consistent results.
This aerospace component manufacturer is committed to flexible machining cells for producing complex parts for the latest commercial airliner programs. Its newest cell adds both capacity and capability—and takes the company to a new level of commitment.
This builder’s machine tool offerings are remarkably diverse. Its technology center has a sample of these machines, ranging from a “commodity” VMC to a five-axis contouring machine, with models for multitasking, hard turning, mold making and production applications in between.
At first, abrasive waterjet machines were naturally at home in the fabricating shop. Today, certain models resemble a typical, fully enclosed CNC machine and they fit well in a machining job shop setting.
Connecting machines to a network for production monitoring almost
guarantees that utilization will go up, but that’s only the first step toward data-driven manufacturing.