Basics

Turning Machines 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?

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.

Medical 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.

Inspection and Measurement 24 Feb 2021

How to Match Thickness Gage Types to Proper Applications

Different thicknesses require different gage types during inspection — four common ones are handheld indicators, handheld micrometers, opposed air streams and gage blocks.