Aerospace

Lean Manufacturing Shapes A Cell

A machining cell that seeks to optimize product flow may look very different from a cell that seeks to optimize a machining process.

Aluminum Alloy

Impressive Developments For U.S. Gear Maker

This gear manufacturer employs cutting edge technology to help keep customers buying in the United States.

Training By The Numbers

A formal training program not only helped ease this firm’s transition from cam automatics to CNC lathes, but it also enabled the firm to staff a third shift in record time.

Securing A New Process

A Minnesota manufacturer of precision parts boosts productivity by expanding its workholding capacity.

The Measure Of Success

For this small job shop, measuring and controlling everything are the keys to lean—very lean—manufacturing. Yet its management style is surprisingly open and trusting.

Using The Machine Tool As A Gage

On-machine inspection probing keeps jet engine production flying.

Six Advantages Of Horizontal High Speed Machining

Large monolithic aircraft parts may be machined more productively one at a time instead of three at once.

Winning The Door Prize

The accuracy of this shop's five-axis gantry-type profiler helped it land the job of machining the engine-bay doors for the F/A-22.

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.