Articles
Build the Machine around the Workpiece
Rather than fitting a part into an existing machine, modular machining units enable building a custom machine particularly suited for that workpiece. This approach is best for large production runs of specialized parts.
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Hiring Consultant Shares How to Evaluate Soft Skills
A shop we recently profiled has changed its hiring practices to favor personal strengths over manufacturing skills. The consultant working with this shop elaborates, giving tips for manufacturing hiring including how to identify these strengths.
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The Anatomy of an End Mill for Titanium
Titanium is often characterized as a “challenging workpiece material.” Certainly, machining this material is a challenge to milling machines, cutting tools and workholding accessories that are suitable for machining more common materials such as mild steel, cast iron or aluminum.
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A Compact but Rigid VMC for Machining Titanium Blades
In recent years, machine tool builders have developed models specifically designed for the efficient machining of titanium and other hard metals.
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Expanded Anti-Pullout System Enables Secure Titanium Milling with ER Collet Systems
Because of the extreme forces involved in machining titanium and other hard metals, it is necessary to take precautions to avoid pullout—the tendency for a cutting tool such as an end mill to gradually loosen in its holder and possibly be twisted out entirely.
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Okuma’s Aim Is True
This video series about how the company’s CNC machines are used to manufacture gun parts sets its sights on opportunities to enter a booming market.
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A Vision of the Data-Driven Factory
The Mazak iSmart Factory concept focuses on digital integration to achieve free-flow data sharing for process control and operation monitoring. This machine tool builder is implementing this vision in its factories now.
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A Case Study in Craftsmanship
With some 300 models of machine tools on offer, and new technologies such as the i5 CNC control now on the market, SMTCL is showing aggressive—and impressive—growth.
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Product Spotlight Slideshow: Laser & Waterjet Machining
New equipment from laser and waterjet machine builders emphasizes flexibility and versatility.
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A Banner Month for Machine Tool Sales
According to the USMTO, machine tool sales in September were 3,452 units and $638,010,000 in real dollars. These numbers are absolutely astounding. Unit sales were the highest in the history of the USMTO program, which dates back to 1996. Further, unit sales were the highest since June 1986, which made September the single best month of unit sales in nearly 30 years.
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The Genetic Code for Manufacturing Success
The theme for JIMTOF 2014 was "Monozukuri DNA." Translated, this means that craftsmanship along with the latest technology are the best predictors that a manufacturing company will have the traits to succeed in a competitive environment. This slideshow presents a sample of the technology offered at Japan's biggest and most important machine tool show.
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