Basics

Turning Machines 17 Aug 2018

Buying a Lathe: Slant-Beds and Multitasking Configurations

What are some variations on the basic lathe configuration? This can be helpful to review when considering the purchase of a new turning machine.

CAD/CAM 9 Dec 2020

Spreadsheets Enable Calculations Similar to CAM Software

Spreadsheet software can behave like a CAM system.

Automation 8 Aug 2018

For Many Machining Facilities, the Mindset Now Must Be “Radical Automation”

What if there will never, ever be enough talent in your local labor pool to meet the still-growing demand for skilled manufacturing employees? The real challenge might lie in our expectations about how much skilled labor we need. Let IMTS 2018 be the beginning of facing this challenge.

Automation 3 Aug 2018

Collaborative Robot Gripper Design, Development: Four Trends You Need to Know

Safety standards, third-party certifications, plug-and-play packages and new sensor technology for grippers designed for collaborative robots are making them safer, stronger and easier to use.

Basics 1 Aug 2018

Additive Manufacturing Teaches Designers New Tricks

Considering what is required to design additive parts can illuminate the value of understanding all manufacturing processes, including subtractive ones.

Basics 31 Jul 2018

Tips for Thread Milling Tricky Materials

Compared to tapping, thread-milling technology offers advantages for creating threads in challenging materials, such as tool steel, stainless steel and high-temperature alloys. Here are a few tips for establishing an effective thread-milling process in those materials.

Basics 29 Jul 2018

Buying a Lathe: Spindles and Tailstocks

A key consideration when buying a new turning machine involves its spindle. Here’s an overview of what you need to know.

Measurement 25 Jul 2018

The Modular Multi-Gage Concept

Modular, multi-gage measuring devices work with a wide range of workpieces and and are ideal for short-run production in which flexibility and change-over are key.

Workforce Development 18 Jul 2018

Developing Shopfloor Talent: Why "Vocational" Is Not a Dirty Word in Europe

Employing apprentices is a smart move because they can be trained to develop exactly the skills and knowledge your company wants them to have. But how do you find these apprentices and why does this concept work better in some countries than in others? A closer look at the German system and the Grob Group’s approach to training, which has replicated its Germany apprenticeship approach in the United States, reveals some insights.

How to Transition to Five-Axis Machining Based on Your Existing Machining Software

What often still scares many people about five-axis machining is the part programming, but systems have evolved to be much easier to use. Here’s how to implement five-axis based on your current machining software.