Articles

Economics

Metalworking Activity Shows Signs of Stabilizing Contraction

Metalworking activity continued to contract in what has become a rather characteristic GBI ‘dance.’

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Can AI Replace Programmers? Writers Face a Similar Question

The answer is the same in both cases. Artificial intelligence performs sophisticated tasks, but falls short of delivering on the fullness of what the work entails.

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Three-Axis Bridge Mill Opens New Doors for Construction OEM

Different industries often require different machining priorities, a truism recently demonstrated by Barbco, an OEM of heavy-duty boring equipment that opened up new design possibilities by pivoting toward rigid, less complex machining centers.

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Incorporating AFSD Into Hybrid Manufacturing Processes

Additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) is a new, solid-state additive manufacturing process that provides an alternative to beam-based AM processes.

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CNC Tech Talks

Automatic Sizing Adjustments for High-Volume Lathe Work

Keeping operators from having to manually make sizing adjustments will free them up to do other things for as long as each finishing tool will last, regardless of how many sizing adjustments it requires.

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Measurement

Digital Comparators are More Than Just Readout Devices

Modern digital comparators often combine the performance of touchscreen phones, LVDTs, digital amplifiers and even small PCs into the size of a standard dial indicator.

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CAD/CAM

Can ChatGPT Create Usable G-Code Programs?

Since its debut in late 2022, ChatGPT has been used in many situations, from writing stories to writing code, including G-code. But is it useful to shops? We asked a CAM expert for his thoughts.

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Top 10 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ Articles of 2023

Tips, custom macros and automation topics highlight the top articles published by 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ in 2023.

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5 Benefits of Having a Manageable Backlog

Shops must effectively deal with workloads and not let the backlog grow too large in order to keep customers satisfied.

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Holemaking

Custom PCD Tools Extend Shop’s Tool Life Upward of Ten Times

Adopting PCD tooling has extended FT Precision’s tool life from days to months — and the test drill is still going strong.

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An Open Letter to Kids About Machines and the World of Making Things

This is an open letter to middle- and high-school students about choices they’ll soon face. It is also an introduction to Career and Technical Education (CTE), the world of CNC machining, and a reminder that there are options outside of the traditional four-year college path.

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Automation

Medical Shop Performs Lights-Out Production in Five-Axes

Moving to five-axis machining enabled this shop to dramatically reduce setup time and increase lights-out capacity, but success relied on the right combination of workholding and automation.

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