FEATURES

Tooling

Complete In One Chucking

Compared to barstock, castings, forgings and sawn blanks present a different set of workhandling challenges for production machining. This article looks at how Hydromat Inc. is meeting these challenges on its rotary transfer machines with engineered indexing workholders.

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Automation & Robots

Consider A Programmable Guide Bushing

An example of the "set it and forget it" guide bushing adjustment is a programmable guide bushing available on Traub’s TNL series by Index Corp. It offers the ability to program the CNC to provide a series of guide bushing pressures on the bar based on dynamic conditions.

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Dear Industry Shrink

Dear Miles,

I am writing to you anonymously to address a phenomenon that I have witnessed during the almost 20 years that I have been in the precision machined products industry. Since I consider you the "Dear Abby" of the PMPA, I felt there was no other person more qualified to address
my observations.

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Increased Control For Programmers

Here is a CAD/CAM system designed to be inviting to programmers, with a comfortable interface, integrated guides and a learning mode to facilitate operation and allow the shop to start creating tool paths—and turning parts—as quickly as possible.

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Industries

Internal Threading Solution Supports Broken Tibias

To find a cutting tool that would replace time-consuming manual work to fulfill a 4,000-part order, Albert Keller of Keller Engineering sought out cutting tool experts at Emuge Corp.

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Is Your Order Book Telling You To Consider Activity-Based Costing?

Activity-Based Costing (ABC) is often mentioned in conversations between shop owners, but it seems to be an idea that most shops never get around to fully investigating. There are many benefits to performing even a short-term ABC project, but costs and personnel time need to be considered. These days, everyone is too busy to take on an extra project, especially another accounting study. However, your order book might be sufficient evidence that you need to get to work on an ABC project. Here’s a brief explanation of how and why.

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Member Profile: Brinkman International Group Inc.

Precision machining runs in the Brinkman family. Both father and son have had their hand in running precision machining companies. Earl Brinkman was a young mechanic when he began working at Davenport Machine Tool Company Inc. in 1925. In 1966, he became president of the screw machine production and rebuilding company and retired in 1979 as "Mr. Davenport.

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Turning Machines

Vertical Turning Proves Profitable

A precision machined parts manufacturer augments its production turning operations by expanding its CNC equipment and infrastructure to include vertical turning of large parts. The result has been a lucrative—and growing—additional revenue stream.

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Walt Disney World: A Model For Precision Manufacturing

What can a manufacturing person learn from Walt Disney World to help with his manufacturing business? PMPA members learned the following from the Management Update Conference recently held at Disney World in Orlando.

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