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Mike Lynch Founder and President
Testing Offsets For Correctness
Custom macro B (a popular version of parametric programming) gives you the ability to access tool offset values from within your program (with system variables in the #2000 series). It also gives you the ability to make tests (with the IF statement) as well as to generate alarms based upon finding problems.
Read MoreEliminating Calculations For Offset Entries
Almost every offset entry requires some kind of calculation to be made before the offset value can be entered. Say, for example, the target diameter for a turning tool is 3.
Read MoreSimplifying Documentation Methods
While most companies take setup documentation quite seriously, many do little in the way of program running documentation. This is documentation aimed at CNC operators to ensure they understand just how a cycle is to be run.
Read MoreSimplifying Operator Responsibilities - Dimensioning Methods
All companies expect quite a bit from their CNC operators. Minimum responsibilities commonly include workpiece load/unload, cycle activation, offset adjustments to hold size, inspections on completed workpieces, and reporting inspection results to the statistical process control (SPC) system.
Read MoreSimplify Your Tolerancing Methods
Consistency in tolerancing methods is every bit as important as consistency in dimensioning. Seeing tolerances specified the same way among all drawings will make it easier for the operator to interpret blueprints.
Read MoreEliminating Program Zero Assignment Tasks With Qualified Setups
A qualified setup is one that can be accurately repeated over and over again. When it comes to machining centers, a qualified setup can ensure that the workpiece location (and, specifically, the program zero point location) will be in exactly the same place every time the setup is made.
Read MoreApplying Value-Added Principles
Value-added principles are quite simple and can be applied to all forms of manufacturing. Though this may be oversimplifying to some extent, there are only three basic task types in value-added terms.
Read MoreWhy Machine Tool Probes Are Becoming More Popular
Probing technology has come a long way in the last five years. Today's probing systems are highly accurate, very fast, and almost fail-safe.
Read MoreCan You Take Advantage Of Non-Production Time?
Non-production time is any time your CNC machines are scheduled not to be running. Non-production time for each shift includes breaks and lunch (if your machines cannot run unattended).
Read MoreRight-Hand Or Left-Hand Tools For Turning?
Though this discussion is quite basic, many of the attendees in my CNC seminars are so surprised at this presentation, I assume that many people have not considered the implications of this question. Almost all current model slant bed turning centers allow machinists to use either right- or left-hand tooling.
Read MoreWhat To Look For In A Tool Life Management System
Tool life management systems have come a long way in the past few years. The best systems can handle just about any tool life problems you can think of.
Read MoreCan You Move Tool Maintenance Off-Line?
completely, it must be replaced. Any tasks related to replacing tools (including tool tear-down, insert replacement, new tool measurement, offset entry and tool replacement in the machine) are tasks performed for tool maintenance purposes.
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