Mike Lynch Founder and President

1 May 1997

Tracking Offset Changes During Tool Maintenance

For companies that have long production runs on their turning centers, tool maintenance (changing inserts and replacing dull tools) must be performed several times during the production run. And during a given tool's life, it is likely that tool wear will cause workpiece attributes to vary, requiring offset changes to be made at several points during the tool's life.

Basics 14 May 2022

Key CNC Concept No. 1—The Fundamentals Of Computer Numerical Control

Though the thrust of this presentation is to teach you CNC usage, it helps to understand why these sophisticated machines are so important. Here are but a few of the more important benefits offered by CNC equipment.

Basics 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #6—Methods For CNC Programming

Presented here are three methods of developing CNC programs, manual programming, conversational (shop-floor) programming, and CAM system programming.

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #5—The Importance Of Program Formatting

Simplicity and consistency are the hallmarks of good programming.

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #10—Verifying CNC Programs Safely

For the most part, CNC controls will follow the instructions given in a program to the letter. With the exception of basic syntax (program formatting) mistakes, the CNC control will rarely be able to tell if a mistake has been made.

Basics 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #8—The Modes Of Machine Operation

This concept introduces the three basic modes of operation, presents examples of when they are used, explores more about the mode switch, and categorizes each position of the mode switch into one of the three basic modes.

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #4—The Forms Of Compensation

Though applied for different reasons on different machine types, all forms of compensation allow the CNC user to allow for unpredictable conditions related to tooling.

Basics 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #2—Know Your Machine

If you already know basic machining practice as it relates to the CNC machine you will be working with, you already know what it is you want the machine to do.

1 Apr 1997

CNC Intro-The Key Concepts Of Computer Numerical Control

Today, computer numerical control (CNC) machines are found almost everywhere, from small job shops in rural communities to Fortune 500 companies in large urban areas.

1 Apr 1997

How Do We Get More People To Enter This Field?

In the June 1996 issue of Modern Machine Shop, the topic for CNC Tech Talk was finding and hiring people for working with CNC equipment. We offered a proficiency test (and still do) to anyone who requested it.

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Apr 1997

Key CNC Concept #7—Know The Machine From An Operator's Viewpoint

This perspective for a good programmer is a practical one, since the CNC operator must understand the machine's basic components, its directions of motion, and all buttons and switches available on the machine tool itself.

Basics 1 Apr 1997