Columns

Profitable Additive Manufacturing Is Not an Oxymoron

How a kangaroo, a chest implant and the cost of argon prompted a question that led to the subject of this month’s column.

Read More
CNC Tech Talks

Custom Macros Can Skip Holes After Replacing Broken Tools

Using “vacant” local variables enables CNC machinists to create custom macros that can target multiple types of machining work.

Read More
Basics

5 Reasons Why Machine Shop Ownership Is Changing

Mergers, acquisitions and other ownership changes are an effect of Boomer-age shop owners retiring, but only in part. Also important: The way we think about machining has changed.    

Read More
CNC Tech Talks

Adjusting Feed Rate in Circular Motion Commands with G-Codes

While it is possible to calculate by hand adjustments to feed rate for circular milling operations, cutter radius compensation CNC programs streamline this process.      

Read More

Beginning Your AM Journey: One Part to Begin the Path

Identifying the right part to begin your additive manufacturing path can demonstrate and validate the AM workflow, provide a benchmark for future work and more.

Read More

Probing Feedback Keeps CNC Machining On Track

CNC machine tools that operate like self-contained, automated smart factories can be an introduction or an addition to digital manufacturing workflows.

Read More
Basics

How to Modify Feed Rate for Circular Motion Commands

Maintaining a constant feed rate between linear and circular milling easily leads to chatter — for most applications, increase feed rate on external arcs and decrease it for internal.    

Read More

Five 3D Printing Trends Mirrored in Machining

The underlying drivers of additive manufacturing’s advance are increasingly easy to spot on automated CNC machine shop floors.

Read More
Workholding

How to Save Time When Mounting Jaws on Three-Jaw Chucks

Precisely placing jaws on three-jaw chucks for CNC turning machines is difficult, but a laser pointer and clever programming can ease the issue.

Read More

Beginning the AM Journey: An Uphill Battle

Faster machines, cheaper feedstocks, new standards — with all of these advances, why is additive manufacturing still “an uphill battle” for so many?              

Read More
Measurement

What to Know About Decoding Surface Finish Gages and Parameters

Long-wavelength waviness and short-wavelength roughness require a wide variety of instruments and parameters for proper measurement — and lower numbers aren’t always better.

Read More

Introducing Our New Podcast, “Made in the USA”: The Show for This Moment in U.S. Manufacturing

Join us as we talk about jobs, the supply chain, generational transition and other important themes that will shape the way forward for U.S. manufacturing. Hosted by 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ editors Brent Donaldson and me.        

Read More