
Peter Zelinski Editor-in-Chief
The College Question
I think about college at about this time every year. Specifically, I think about my daughter鈥檚 education, because tax time is when I see how much money is left over that might go to her college account.
Read MoreDon’t Forget The Drawbar
The force that holds the toolholder in the machining center's spindle can weaken over time. If you haven't checked drawbar force in a while, this may be the weak link in your process.
Read MoreTurning Without Rotating The Part
For large or unbalanced parts, this machining center can perform turning or boring operations using its programmable U axis.
Read MoreMaking Programming Hands-Free (Almost)
Feature-recognition CAM software helps this聽technology company's internal聽mold shop deliver critical molds more quickly. A programmer is still needed, but the software automation saves considerable time.
Read MoreManufacturing Competence Is An Innovation Resource
Visiting separate Boeing locations can seem like visiting separate companies. Different projects and different histories have shaped the cultures of this company鈥檚 widely separated plants.
Read MoreInspection For Free
Gaging integrated with a robot delivers inspection without any cost in floorspace or cycle time.
Read MoreDimensional Inspection With A Digital Camera
Using an off-the-shelf digital camera, this system uses photographs to obtain 3D measurement data.
Read MoreWhy Boeing Is Big On Right-Size Machine Tools
Simple, dedicated machines save on capital expense, while they also make it possible to realize one-piece flow. These machines are often developed internally. 'Chaku-chaku' is the new ideal.
Read MoreTools For Titanium
With all of the titanium that will be required for a new aircraft, any of 1,000 spindles might benefit from the tools and techniques described here.
Read MoreThey Want Dollars
A colleague told me something interesting about a business trip to China in the 1980s. The Chinese had two types of yuan, he said.
Read MoreThe Case For Testing Tools
Do you run tool tests? That is, do you try different cutters from time to time, evaluating them in trial cuts against your existing tooling? Shops that do these trials often don鈥檛 have to pay for the test tooling. While I can鈥檛 speak for your situation or your tool supplier, I can say that free sample tooling is a not-unheard-of phenomenon.
Read MoreLearn Before Lifting
A safety feature on this magnetic lifter determines whether the load falls within the safe capacity of the device.
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