Articles & Columns

A look at portable measurement technologies and their applications.

Manager's Desk column for the October 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

END USER: Trek Bicycle Corp., (920) 478-2191, www.trekbikes.com. CHALLENGE: Improve material yields and speed generation of nesting patterns for carbon fiber composite parts. SOLUTION: CAM software that automatically generates nesting patterns to maximize material yields. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: JetCAM International s.a.r.l., +44 870 760 6469, www.jetcam.com

It's never been easier to recycle cutting tools, which produces both cost savings and environmental benefits.

END USER: Tank Component Industries, (417) 831-5100, www.tankcomponents.com. CHALLENGE: Remove tramp oil that's contaminating coolant. SOLUTION: Portable oil skimmer that extends coolant life and minimizes the need to clean machines. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Abanaki Corp., (800) 358-SKIM, www.abanaki.com.

Nanotechnology opens up new coating possibilities and performance.

Machine Technology column for the October 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Machinist's Corner column for the October 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

New materials and improved part manufacturing help maintain and upgrade aging military aircraft.

Machinist's Corner column for the September 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Machine tool accessories can offer economical solutions to many tooling and machine setup issues. Used in combination with a machine that delivers the speed and features a shop needs, accessories can help improve productivity and reduce machine failures. This article examines the benefits of several key accessories, including spindle maintenance tools, toolholder maintenance tools, covers, indicator stands, chip fans, tool assembly devices and specialty workholding devices.

END USER: Neenah Foundry Co., (920) 725-7000, www.nfco.com. CHALLENGE: Increase productivity and worker safety when measuring castings on a coordinate measuring machine. SOLUTION: A system that enables a CMM operator to load and unload castings in fixtures with minimal lifting, bending or twisting and easily move parts into the CMM's measurement zone on plates supported by air. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Mod Tech Industries Inc., (715) 524-4510, www.modtechindustries.com

Shop Operations column for the September 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

END USER: Cramer Engineering Corp., (951) 549-6557. CHALLENGE: Reduce oil mist and improve machining of aluminum automotive wheels and other components. SOLUTION: A semisynthetic metalworking fluid. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Chemetall, (800) 526-4473, www.chemetallamericas.com

Machine Technology column for the September 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Get with the Program column, Get with the program

END USER: Flint Tool & Die, General Motors Co., (313) 556-5000, www.gm.com. CHALLENGE: Verify machine tool accuracy when producing large automotive dies. SOLUTION: A PC-based verification system. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Inora Technologies Inc., (734) 302-7488, www.inora.com

Part Time column for the September 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

What is the real cost of a cutting tool when it is applied? Carefully controlled tests provide the answer.

Advancements in marking technology can lead to lower integration costs and more benefits for the end user.