CNC & Machine Controls
Using The Machine Tool As A Gage
On-machine inspection probing keeps jet engine production flying.
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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.
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High Speed Machining, Italian Style
One of the highlights of BI-MU, Italy's recent biennial machine tool show, was the number of innovative machine tools (and related technology) focusing on high speed machining.
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Scales And DROs Customize Lathe To Keep Power Companies Running
When a multimillion-dollar turbine generator at a power plant needs to be repaired, time is of the essence. This company rehabilitates and rebuilds existing generators.
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System Simplifies Probing Operations On VMCs
Few machinists will dispute the merits of probing for speeding part setup, setting tool offsets and performing in-process inspection . . . at least in theory. In practice, however, probe systems often have been viewed as difficult to use and expensive to buy.
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Stringer Solution
To reduce cost while improving quality and reproducibility, Airbus UK decided to implement a fully automated process able to machine a stringer complete. The existing production facility was stripped to its steel framework and adapted for the new process.
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New Borders For Swiss-Type Turning
The traditional niche may be too narrow. This shop uses sliding-headstock lathes for jobs that wouldn't normally be run on this type of machine.
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DNC With A Direction
A small shopfloor network lays the groundwork for large-scale, low-cost DNC throughout a major manufacturing facility.
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On The Way To Wireless DNC
Any shop with CNC machine tools has probably wondered how a DNC system could be configured to operate with wireless network connections. Wireless systems are being installed in offices, and even in homes, so that laptops, desktop PCs, and handheld devices can communicate via e-mail, share access to the Web, and exchange data.
Read MoreIs Manual Programming Really Important?
I am often questioned about the scope of this column. The most common question is: "Why do you continue to discuss manual programming techniques when almost all companies are using CAM systems?" Aside from the fact that other columnists are addressing issues related to computer integrated manufacturing, I believe that a firm understanding of manual programming is of paramount importance to all CNC people.
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