CNC & Machine Controls

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Jun 2001

Tool Management System Complements DNC

It quickly became apparent to this company that handling the many tools - knowing where the tools were and how many were available - was the horse, and the DNC system was the cart.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 May 2001

Mold Machining In Motion

This shop's strategy for limiting lead time on large molds affects the choice of machine tool. It also affects who does the programming.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 May 2001

Controller Helps Meet Demand For Foreign Oil

The cutting of thousands of slots in extensive lengths of pipe requires large-scale machining, and the demand for such pipe is steadily increasing as Middle East oil sources become less dependable. Controls on these machines are crucial.

CNC & Machine Controls 1 Apr 2001

How Should Your Operators Handle Sizing Changes?

All current model CNC controls allow offsets to be changed during the execution of the CNC program. That is, operators can change an offset during a production run while the machine is running.

Workforce Development 15 Mar 2001

Overriding The Skills Shortage

With experienced operators in short supply, this shop developed a software solution to compensate.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 Feb 2001

Company Views A Paperless Future

In spite of high precision machinery employed in this plant, engineers were forced to carry program updates on floppy disks to each individual operator. This meant inefficiencies, duplicated effort and production lags, especially when they added 15 new machines to its plant floor in a 2-year period.

Automotive 15 Feb 2001

Linear Motors Shorten Production Time

Linear motors account for part of the reason why DaimlerChrysler's Stuttgart, Germany, manufacturing facility has been able to nearly double the productivity of machining centers producing automotive cylinder heads.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 Jan 2001

California Specialty Parts Machinist Has No Room For Error

Much of the current equipment at this plant is German and Swiss machinery, including two Deckel mills (FP4 and FP3), a Bridgeport mill and Schaublin (10-inch) and HES (20-inch) lathes, among other various saws. In order to keep the parts as accurate as possible, the controls and DROs that are used need to be accurate and reliable.

CNC & Machine Controls 15 Jan 2001

Improving Productivity With Calibration

Shop managers have understood the benefits of volumetric calibration and compensation of machine tools for a while, but the technique rarely has been used because it has been too expensive and too complicated.