Cutting Tool Engineering Magazine

"Chips Away," the March 2016 cover story, covers central conveyor systems that declutter shops and make them safer. PLUS:

• Better Threaders: Automatic threaders for wire EDMs have made significant advancements.
• Testing, Testing ... How often should you test metalworking fluids?
• Controlling the Process: Careful consideration can yield efficiencies when implementing inspection processes.
• Product Showcase: New products for the metalworking industry.
• Manager's Desk: Simple ways to improve employee morale.
• Machine Technology: Benefits of a good spindle maintenance program.
• Shop Operations: More ways to avoid machine tool crashes.
• Get With The Program: Enhancing competitiveness with asset-monitoring software.
• Machinist's Corner: Importance of evaluating nonconforming parts with a material review board.

"HMC Payoffs," the February 2016 cover story, looks at how horizontal machining centers' enhanced capabilities shorten payback periods. PLUS:

• Overcoming five common challenges faced when turning.
• Component cleanliness requires effort throughout the manufacturing process.
• Aluminum can be hard to drill—despite its easy-to-machine reputation.
• When the application calls for it, a reamer can be the most cost-effective way to achieve accurate hole geometry.
• Successful machine shops benefit from personal relationships.
• Combining additive and subtractive manufacturing in a VMC.
• Ways to avoide machine tool crashes.
• Tips for gripping threaded parts.
• Dressing grinding wheels with PCD.

Metrology is evolving to allow inspection to be moved closer to the production area. PLUS:

• The right workholder is critical for success when 5-axis machining.
• Angle heads let cutting tools reach more of the workpiece.
• Gundrilling on conventional CNC machines.
• An overview of a machine tool developed for Industry 4.0.
• Multitask machine tools proliferate as manufacturers seek to reduce setup time.
• CAD/CAM developers strive to enhance UX—the user experience.
• Beware of job recruiters and placement companies.

Whether done manually or with a powered device, scraping guide ways is critical to machine tool performance. PLUS:

• Two metalworking professionals breakdown the manufacturing industry with their "Making Chips" podcast.
• Laser technology allows for precise, noncontact marking of thin, brittle or otherwise delicate parts without compromising part integrity.
• Learn details about the numerous new products manufacturers are offering the metalworking industry.
• And columns that address taking the time to focus on the positives; the benefits of creating and using a virtual machine tool; the importance of mastering fundamental turning skills; how planning is critical when operating CNC machines; how not to experience grinding burn; and a Q&A with Harvey Tool CEO Pete Jenkins.

2016 Buyers Guide issue:

• Manufacturers index
• Disributors index
• Machne Shop index.

Shot peening is a cost-effective way to make metal products stronger and more dependable. PLUS:

• Private equity funds and venture capitalists partner with precision parts manufacturers that are poised for growth
• Options to consider when selecting a custom work-positioning device
• By stabilizing and monitoring air temperature, pressure and humidity, part measurement accuracy can be ensured
• And columns covering concerns about renewed offshoring trends; how a grinding machine overcame workpiece material challenges; a Seattle job shop reaps benefits of constant chip load machining; how modular fixtures help reduce waste in a shop; some trade secrets for CNC machining, and whether programmers and manufacturing engineers really need a college degree.

Fallbrook Technologies’ prototype shop continues to produce one-offs for licensees of its continuously variable planetary technology while performing commercial jobs. PLUS:

• Job shop benefits from a big, 5-axis, twin-spindle machine
• Offline presetting maximizes machine availability and reduces scrap
• A combination of planning, housekeeping and the proper equipment enhances shop safety
• 5 factors shaping the ceramic tool market
• And columns covering the benefit of avoiding free worker benefits; the advantages of modular machine tools; how machine monitoring software provides data-driven manufacturing; the benefits of photo-activated adhesive workholding; an overview of broaching tools; some miscellaneous tips and tricks for machinists, and a walk on the lean side.

Tool management systems prevent mistakes and boost the bottom line. PLUS:

• A comparison of three threadmaking options: tapping, forming and milling
• Laser-assisted machining tackles hard materials
• Solid-state LED lighting in machine tools allows for increased visibility, reduced downtime and lower power consumption
• And columns covering the requirements for making difficult shop decisions; how the CNC evolution continues with Mazak's Smooth Technology; some considerations when evaluating CAM software; a Q&A about improving part inspection, and advice when applying multiple-rib grinding wheels.

Horst Engineering shifts production from Mexico to Connecticut; and INOVA Geophysical rethinks machining process, saves close to $1 million by reshoring production from China. PLUS:

• Abrasive waterjet machines become easier to use and more affordable as equipment evolves
• Bandsaws turn high-tech with advanced control and cloud-based intelligence
• And columns covering potential buried treasure in machine shops; CAD/CAM questions and answers; examples of custom workholding; the importance of preventive maintenance; some toolholder options for high-speed machining; how to straighten shafts and tubes, and the quest for cutting tool knowledge.

New aluminum alloys can pose machining challenges, but they can be mastered with sound cutting strategies. PLUS:

• How shops can help keep groundwater clean and be green in other ways
• Parting off presents challenges, but paying attention to the basics makes it a lot easier
• Manufacturing consultant leverages CAM software to help customers adopt transformative technology
• And columns covering the global machine shop; how to fixture challenging parts; the importance of inspecting parts only when needed, and the benefits of multiple-grit grinding wheels and truing cup wheels.

Move, shred or pack them—chip management doesn’t have to be hard. PLUS:

• Steelville Manufacturing Co. uses flexible manufacturing systems to enhance machine tool productivity and help continue shop growth
• New talent, experienced hands hone Peerless Precision’s capabilities
• And columns covering supplier relationships; how inertia active control cuts cycle time; the advantages of scalable CAM software; the need to train workers to sharpen their skills; coolants for challenging cuts; a conversation with a fresh "face of manufacturing"; the application of flame straightening corrections, and whether your next robot will be collaborative.

Vertical machining centers play a central role in the growth of S&S Machine Shop. PLUS:

• Software developers raise the bar with improved toolpaths, integration and simulation
• When grinding complex cutting tool profiles, attention should be paid to the software, the wheel and the tool blank for best results
• And columns covering the importance of keeping employees' personal matters separate from professional ones; some methods for minimizing chatter; boring heads that improve productivity; how quick-change tooling can boost profits; how flame hardening works, and some answers to queries about barreling and scrubber nozzles.