Articles
Turning Is Optional
The part requires only milling and drilling, but it is still run on a lathe. Except for the cutoff tool, all of the turret positions on this lathe hold rotating tools. In other words, turning is not essential for using a lathe effectively. This application illustrates the productive possibilities of a modern turn-mill machine.
Read MoreMeasuring Taper For Toolholders And Spindle Applications
Companies concerned about strict quality requirements regularly check toolholder tapers for wear or inaccuracy because these conditions can jeopardize the results of a critical operation. However, a shop can check tapers quickly and reliably with air gages. These devices can be used effectively without special operator training. For measuring taper in a production environment, few other methods can match the speed and performance of air, as multiple-circuit air jets can be placed in very small taper gages.
Read MoreAttracted To A Better Way
Modular, magnetic workholding blocks have changed the way this shop approaches the machining of both large and small workpieces. The blocks’ portability allows them to be used on a variety of different machines. Their flexibility often eliminates the need to create custom fixtures.
Read MoreHow PLM Helps Manage Global Supply Chains
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) can make it possible to capture information from all stages of manufacturing and production. Here are a few examples of how PLM can help optimize production processes that are spread around the world.
Read MoreGundrilling On A Machining Center
In many applications, gundrilling does not require specialized equipment. This article explains how gundrilling can be performed effectively on standard vertical or horizontal machining centers.
Read MoreA Tale Of Two Shows
Recent trade shows in Spain and in France displayed latest technologies for accurately machining extremely large components as well as really small ones.
Read MoreParts Collector Enables Lights-Out Production
Royal’s Rota-Rack is designed to collect finished parts as they come off a CNC lathe.
Read MoreDixi Rising
Heavy investment in this Swiss builder’s production facility will allow its output to rise just as the demand for large machine tools capable of nano-precision is also rising.
Read MoreMolding Personnel
This mold shop has a full-time employee devoted to nothing but training.
Read MoreUsing Twin-Table Machines To Maximize Spindle Uptime
By integrating twin-table, bridge-style machining centers, this shop virtually eliminates spindle downtime during job chang-eovers. An operator can safely set up a new job on a table located outside the machine's workzone while the machine mills a workpiece fixtured on the other table.
Read MoreIncreased Accuracy And Portability For Measuring Arms
Multi-axis, computer-aided measuring arms offer accuracy comparable to a CMM in a portable design. A new version of such an arm is said to be the first 8-foot measuring arm that can achieve an accuracy of 0.0007 inch.
Read MoreZero Taper In Abrasive Waterjet Cutting
Abrasive waterjet machines use a high-velocity beam of water and abrasive particles to cut thick materials. This "floppy tool" has a tendency to cause tapered edges during cutting. Omax's IntelliMax software and Tilt-A-Jet technology is capable of producing zero taper without adversely affecting machining speeds. IntelliMax controls the cutting paths to ensure that the machine is operating at the highest possible speeds at all times. The Tilt-A-Jet can position the nozzle at the angle calculated by the software to offset the natural taper from the waterjet. The tapering effect is moved to the scrap side of the parent material, thus leaving square edges (zero taper) on the part.
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