Machining

Achieve a 24-hour-maximum turnaround time on aluminum prototypes for tablet computers. Endmills designed for maximum metal-removal rate when cutting aluminum.

Many machine tools are equipped with touch-trigger probes to measure parts while they are still on the machine. The probe is often stored in the tool magazine and can be installed in the spindle like any other tool.

I consider several factors when purchasing a drill and try to find the balance between price and performance that gives the best cost advantage while maintaining part quality and productivity, reports the Shop Technology columnist in the October 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

During the summer, writes the Shop Operations columnist in the October 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering, it gets pretty hot in a shop that's not air conditioned. With sweat running down my semibald head, I was trying to get a part set up in a CNC lathe. This particular part was giving me some trouble because of a tool compensation problem. I was hot and frustrated.

Simultaneously improve product quality and productivity when EDMing PCD and PCBN cutting tools and wear parts. An automation process that incorporates work cells.

Cutting cycle time for a 3,000-piece run. Two wire EDMs.

Achieve tightened tolerances and increase throughput when machining microholes and other microscale features. Two new machine tools, each with 0.5µm positioning accuracy and a 50,000-rpm maximum spindle speed.

Machinist's Corner columnist shares personal experience with purchasing tooling and fixtures for the shop.

The Machine Technology column in the October 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering offers guidance for protecting spindles from contamination.

Diminishing numbers of skilled tradesmen in the workforce and the need to reduce production costs have caused machine tool automation to proliferate during the past decade.