Columns
The Dirt on Gaging—It’s All Around
The common gage is always in contact with dirt. Accurate air gaging requires proper tooling maintenance and air supply vigilance.
Read MoreAdd Intelligence to a Tool-Changing Custom Macro
Knowing what is accessible from within a custom macro can help you decide whether you need a more-intelligent tool-change command.
Read MoreLosing Accuracy One Micron at a Time
Most gages on the shop floor provide a specified level of accuracy in conditions for which they were designed. However, it’s critical to think about gaging requirements before putting instruments in tight-tolerance production environments, and possibly having them not meet expectations.
Read MoreTwo Cases of Gage-Improvement Failure
The call is a common one: When tolerances are tight, better gages are needed to improve the measurement process. However, what might seem like a simple fix can sometimes lead to unforeseen issues.
Read MoreLeave the Average Productivity Behind
Official measures of U.S. manufacturing productivity are overstated. Productivity at the extremes is the real story.
Read MoreStabilizing a CNC Machining Process
Process stability problems often can be attributed to the appropriateness of workholding devices and cutting tools.
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The Case for the Perpendicular Indicator
In most cases, a standard or dial indicator is adequate for gaging requirements. However, sometimes the normal orientation of a standard indicator does not work for a particular application. In this situation, a perpendicular indicator might be the better choice.
Read MoreNo Lie, Love Will Win
The pitches on behalf of manufacturing careers are often short-sighted.
Read MoreStabilizing a Machining Process: the Human Factor
The process by which a workpiece is machined is of paramount importance.
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Sometimes You Just Can’t Get There from Here
Digital indicators have increased in capability while remaining relatively low in cost. Upgrades include better and larger displays, dynamic features, and increased calculation capabilities, battery life, resolution, and accuracy. They have advanced to the point in which they can almost be characterized as portable bench-gaging amplifiers, but these advances can get you only so far.
Read MoreFirst Impressions Aren’t the Last Word
Part of the case for manufacturing relates to people.
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