Basics

Basics 16 Aug 2021

Five 3D Printing Trends Mirrored in Machining

The underlying drivers of additive manufacturing’s advance are increasingly easy to spot on automated CNC machine shop floors.

Automation 12 Mar 2021

Avoiding a Failed Automation Integration

New features that simplify robot use have blurred the lines between tasks that shops can automate independently from those that will require the support of an integrator. Here’s what shops should keep in mind to avoid a costly failed integration.

Workholding 11 Mar 2021

How to Save Time When Mounting Jaws on Three-Jaw Chucks

Precisely placing jaws on three-jaw chucks for CNC turning machines is difficult, but a laser pointer and clever programming can ease the issue.

Basics 28 Apr 2023

How Do Binder Jetting and Multi-Laser Powder Bed Fusion Match Up?

Both metal 3D printing processes are ready for production, but which wins out for speed and cost? Research from The Barnes Global Advisors offers a case study.

Basics 4 Mar 2021

Beginning the AM Journey: An Uphill Battle

Faster machines, cheaper feedstocks, new standards — with all of these advances, why is additive manufacturing still “an uphill battle” for so many?

Inspection and Measurement 3 Mar 2021

What to Know About Decoding Surface Finish Gages and Parameters

Long-wavelength waviness and short-wavelength roughness require a wide variety of instruments and parameters for proper measurement — and lower numbers aren’t always better.

Basics 21 Sep 2021

Starting with the End in Mind: An Exit Strategy for Machine Shops

John Shegda and Eric Wilhelm each had different ideas about how they wanted to phase into retirement. The exit strategies for the three successful manufacturing businesses the two men operated included a mix of seeking equity groups, selling the business, or transitioning into an employee stock ownership plan. All it took was a friendly suggestion from a mutual friend to set them on a different path.