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Data-Driven Manufacturing Moves Ahead at Mazak
An MTConnect-enabled machine monitoring system gives managers and operators the facts and figures they need to improve utilization.“We thought we knew what our utilization was, but now we know for...
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Managing the Micro-Milling Process with Tiny Cutters
The engineering of this line of small end mills brings out both the challenges and opportunities in milling hard-to-machine materials on a micro scale. Article From: 2/21/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Mark...
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Use the Machine Tool to Machine Tools
This shop has developed various time-saving tool components by creating them internally, including one tooling solution now being used by other shops as well. Article From: 6/26/2013 Modern Machine...
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The Million-Dollar Job
A shop specializing in large parts describes the most expensive single order it ever shipped. Article From: 3/21/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Peter Zelinski, Senior Editor Tech-Max Machine was not...
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Presetting Becomes Prevalent
Next Intent implemented presetting and shrink-fit toolholding when it bought a five-axis machining center, but it has since seen these resources deliver value to machining centers throughout the shop....
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Software Speeds ISO Certification, Improves Shop Communication
Shoptech’s E2 job shop system helped Rehtek gain ISO certification while improving quality and communication throughout the facility. Case Study From: 5/1/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Edited by: Emily...
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The Right Touch of Indexing Capability
Mechanical rotary indexers like these can be installed on a machine quickly and take up less table real estate of motorized indexers. Article From: 3/11/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Derek Korn, Senior...
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Retired Yet Inspired to Learn Machining
A retired engineer with no prior machining experience is learning how to be a machinist. His quickly increasing skillset demonstrates how new machining technology is becoming more capable and easier to...
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Automated Honing Creates Consistent Parts
Micron Manufacturing’s fully automated, one-spindle Nagel Eco 40 hone with post process gaging and automatic wear compensation improved bore quality on a fuel injector and also provided consistent...
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Raising the Bar with Ballbar Testing
Few manufacturing companies rely on ballbar testing to maintain machine tool accuracy as thoroughly as Silfex. Now, advanced training and a move to a Renishaw QC20-W wireless system have enabled the...
View ArticleCalculated Industries Launching New Machinist Calc® Pro 2 at IMTS
In 2010 Calculated Industries (CI) introduced a new handheld calculator specifically designed for machinists at the IMTS show in Chicago. The Machinist Calc® Pro Advanced Machining Math calculator...
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The Costs and Benefits of Horizontal Machining
The shift from vertical to horizontal machining was even more expensive than this shop anticipated. It was also more valuable. Most of the shop’s machining centers are HMCs now—here’s why. Article...
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A Novel Modular Clamping System
This clamping system minimizes setup times, enable a machine to access five sides of a part and provides highly repeatable positioning for bulky components. Article From: 6/11/2014 Modern Machine Shop,...
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Why Oilfield Parts Producers Consider Retrofits
There are a number of reasons why shops serving the oilfield industry see value in upgrading existing machine tools with a new control package. Article From: 4/21/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Derek Korn,...
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Deep Holes with a Difference
Upgrading its deep-hole drilling capability with a Precihole three-axis machine from Absolute Machine Tools made a positive difference in this shop’s part processing, business strategy and customer...
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Swiss for Short
A Swiss-type lathe with a B-axis milling spindle and significant tooling capacity enables this shop to be more effective at complex, short-run work—work the shop otherwise might not even bid on....
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Automating Toolpath Optimization
New software features toolpath simulations that run during post processing and automatically updates code, with no editing required by the programmer. Article From: 6/1/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Russ...
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What It Takes to Be a Top Shop
Leading machine shops share signature traits. This year’s Top Shops benchmarking survey reveals what some of those traits are. Article From: 8/28/2014 Modern Machine Shop, Derek Korn, Senior Editor...
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From Media to Manufacturing
Video producers with no previous knowledge of CNC discover the power and possibilities of modern machine tool technology. Their example says something about where manufacturing talent might come from,...
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Improvement Is Not Optional
No matter how busy this shop gets, it continues to pull teams of employees out of production so they can focus on solving problems to make incremental process changes. The advances add up. Today, this...
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Adopting a 24/7 Mindset
This shop considered a number of factors before establishing an effective process to run an HMC cell around the clock for applications in aerospace, oilfield and other industries. Article From:...
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Tool Monitoring for Multitasking Machines
Continuously checking the condition of cutting tools and responding appropriately to wear or other changes is especially critical on machines designed to complete parts in a single setup or run several...
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Video Highlights Extreme Part-Off Demos
The strength of a tough part-off tool is shown in video showing it parting off a railroad rail and sledgehammer head. Talk about significant interrupted cuts… Article From: 9/24/2014 Modern Machine...
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A Production Line Takes Shape
Although Pointe Precision built its reputation on low-volume, high-complexity aerospace and medical parts, its expansive high-volume production line may be its biggest success to date. Sound...
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Reducing Setups With Automated Pallet Systems
Wouldn’t it be great to set up a pallet once and then be done with it? Automated pallet systems help companies recover time lost to repeat setups for recurring part orders. Article From: 11/10/2014...
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Armed for Accuracy
Portable metrology arms provide many benefits, as do standard CMMs, but how do these devices differ from each other? This company relies on both and describes the applications for which these...
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Crystallizing a New Approach to Today’s Turning Needs
A recently developed insert grade turns concepts for production turning operations on their heads. Shops cutting steel workpieces in high volumes may have to realign their thinking accordingly. Article...
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U.S. Investment in Machine Tools Poised to Reach Remarkable Level
Spending on machine tools is projected to be way up next year. The latest Capital Spending survey indicates an eye-popping 37 percent increase in capital equipment purchases in 2015. What does this...
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Shop Finds Fixturing Solution for Flexing Parts
Precision Grinding and Manufacturing uses an atypical means to fixture thin parts that are prone to flexing when conventional workholding clamps are used: adhesive cured by UV light. Article From:...
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ISO 13399—A Key Step Toward Data-Driven Manufacturing
This family of standards specify a common format for identifying and describing cutting tools. Adopting this format makes it easier for software applications to share and process data about cutter...
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3D Printing as an Alternative to Patternmaking
Hoosier Pattern has changed its business in a way that dramatically expands the design freedom available to its customers. Historically, the company has machined foundry patterns. Today, it uses 3D...
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The Foundry's Way Forward
An established supplier of short-run castings just opened and staffed a new, fully equipped, in-house CNC machine shop. Taking ownership of machining will improve the company’s range of services to...
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Micromachining Evolution
Challenge Machine continues to add high-speed equipment for the increasing amount of micromachining work it is performing. Here are some lessons it has learned along the way, using tools as small as...
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Will Additive Manufacturing Play a Major Role in Aircraft Production?
One answer: It already does. Lockheed Martin discusses the challenges and promise of producing parts through 3D printing. Article From: 2/26/15 Modern Machine Shop, Peter Zelinski, Senior Editor Will...
View ArticleLaser Sintering and Milling Working Together
A hybrid manufacturing process offers mold builders an alternative method for making cores and cavities with time and cost savings and increased consistency. Article From: MoldMaking Technology, Greg...
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A Solution for Faster Vise Jaw Change-Overs
This an angle lock vise design is said to enable users to change jaws in 30 seconds. Article From: 12/18/2013 Modern Machine Shop, Derek Korn, Senior Editor Winn Manufacturing in Granville, N. Y. is...
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The Case for Custom Fixturing
Photos of custom fixtures illustrate the types of applications that call for non-standard workholding. Article From: 3/19/12 Modern Machine Shop, Peter Zelinski, Senior Editor Joseph Szpak, Jr. founded...
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American Manufacturing on the Rise
The strength of U.S. manufacturing is driving machine tool sales to their highest levels in more than a decade. Our survey says that machine tool sales should rise to $7.442 billion in 2014, an...
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Does This School Have the Formula for Manufacturing Education?
A high school in Wisconsin runs its manufacturing vocational program as a business. Students make parts for paying customers. The program is thriving, cash flow is strong, and local manufacturers can...
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Fully Committed to Zero Stock Machining
Milling critical mold surfaces to final size (or even a “tenth” undersize) literally leaves no margin for error. This takes absolute confidence in every aspect of the machining process, as well as...
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