Peter Zelinski Editorial Director

Basics 15 Feb 2003

When Two Spindles Are Better Than One

Machining centers with multiple spindles offer a compromise between flexibility and productivity. Different machine designs use the multiple spindles in different ways.

Workforce Development 5 Feb 2003

Is Labor Cost All There Is?

While this magazine addresses a great many topics related to metalworking, one topic these days seems to loom largest of all. Machining work that once might have been performed in an American shop is being sent to countries with lower labor costs, most notably China.

3 Jan 2003

What's In A Word

Modern Machine Shop’s Web site includes various online forums that allow readers to post questions and comments on the site. Most forums are devoted to specific topics in metalworking technology, but one is a catch-all titled “General Metalworking.

Aerospace 1 Jan 2003

The Overhang Effect

The length by which the tool extends from the toolholder is a variable that can be used to 'tune' the machining process. Contrary to what you may expect, increasing the tool's L:D ratio may reduce chatter and result in more productive milling.

Machining Centers 15 Dec 2002

A Boring System For Non-Round Holes

Machining an out-of-round bore is easy if you're not particular about the location or magnitude of the roundness error. But accurately machining a hole that has a precisely defined non-round profile is a capability that would seem to be well beyond what a standard boring bar can accomplish.

Lean Manufacturing 15 Dec 2002

The Post-Machine-Shop Process

Making the transition from batch production to a build-to-order strategy meant removing the kinds of barriers that separated machining from the rest of manufacturing.

1 Dec 2002

Hidden Costs Vs. The Invisible Hand

With the United States losing manufacturing work to suppliers in other countries, some see government support as a means to halt the outflow. Certainly government can play a role.

Aerospace 1 Nov 2002

Tight Tolerances And Trial Runs

This contract shop is committed to difficult jobs. The shop often takes on a job without knowing how the part will be made.

1 Nov 2002

Industrial Towns

Cincinnati is a city of hills and valleys. Thanks to elevation changes, a small and simple city park can offer a stunning view of the city below.

1 Oct 2002

Welding On A Machining Center

Multiple-process machine tools generally combine two or more processes for metal removal. A lathe may have milling capability, or a machining center may perform grinding. But what about combining metal removal and metal joining in one machine? A process called 'friction stir welding' permits exactly that.

1 Oct 2002

Beyond Tweaking

When vertical machining centers took the place of manual machines in short-run production, some of the machining knowledge that used to be applied at the machine tool began to be applied somewhere else—at a programmer's desk. Now, with horizontal machining centers replacing VMCs for many of these same applications, another relocation of process knowledge is taking place.