MMS Blog

Cutting Tools

A Custom Tool Data Station Eliminates Machinists' Guesswork

An otherwise well-experienced team of machinists at Fab3R was nevertheless guessing when it came to insert choice and feeds and speeds. A custom cutting tool data station now provides instant retrieval of relevant tool data in one screen within arm’s reach of the tool vending machine.

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Top Shops

Where Can CNC Machine Shops Learn from Other CNC Machine Shops?

At the Top Shops Conference, owners and managers of machine shops join other industry experts in presenting advanced strategies to grow your machining business. Here’s some of what can you learn from your peers.

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Economics

July Metalworking Index Cools on New Orders and Backlog

Leading components of the index experience rapid change.

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News of Note: August 2019

A market development agreement on a new finishing process, a conference on quick-response manufacturing, new robotics training centers in the United States, and other industry news.

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Top Shops

What’s Telling About This Year’s Top Shops

Here, the 2019 Honors Program winners explain strategies they’ve used to help them become successful U.S. machining businesses. Plus, you can learn more about them by attending next month’s Top Shops Conference.

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Can You 3D Print with Machining Chips?

Meld Manufacturing’s solid-state metal 3D printing process is compatible with a range of materials and formats, even chips from machining.

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Meaningful Growth Requires Cost Tracking, Traceability and Scalability

In order to achieve the owners’ vision of using their shop as part of a community-focused nonprofit, Hastreiter Industries first had to achieve enough ERP sophistication to grow.

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Turn/Mill

Meet Colossus: An Inside Look at One of the Largest Five-Axis Machining Centers in the U.S.

My behind-the-scenes tour on the shop floor of Baker Industries began and ended with its Emco Mecof PowerMill, one of the biggest five-axis machining centers in the United States. The tour also shed light on the company’s highly aggressive approach to new equipment purchases.

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10 Takeaways on How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Influence CNC Machining

The Consortium for Self-Aware Machining and Metrology held a promising first meeting at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Here are my impressions.

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Are Machine Shops Doing More Plastic Parts Production Due to 3D Printing?

That is the suggestion of a survey finding. Facilities we associate with metalworking are using additive manufacturing for production of plastic parts.

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Basics

5 Tips for Making the Switch to Micromachining

Working at the micro-level requires changing the way you approach machining parts, and these tips can help you avoid pitfalls.

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Turning Machines

Modulated CNC Turning: How a Reversal in the Tool Path Can Deliver Greater Cutting Speed

UNCC researchers introduce modulation into the tool path. Chip breaking was the goal, but higher metal removal rate is an intriguing secondary effect.

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