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It’s always interesting to reflect on the stories Production Machining has presented to our audience over the span of a calendar year. Determining which of those were most popular helps someone like me determine what topics, technology and new ideas might be most useful to cover moving forward.

Below we present the top 10 articles in terms of online views for 2023. As in the past, this list presents a mix of shop application stories, shorter “Tech Briefs,” and longer “tips” pieces. Also, some contain video while others don’t. 

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So, take a look at our top articles from 2023 (in inverse order) and let me know if any in particular were helpful to you. Or, if you have an idea for a topic you feel we should consider presenting to our audience, shoot me an email.

  1. Repeatability and Rigidity Are Key for Quick-Change Swiss Tooling

A rotary wedge clamping system is said to enable this two-piece, modular tooling system for Swiss-types to offer the performance of a solid tool.

  1. What Is Trochoidal Turning? How Might Shops Benefit From It?

While trochoidal milling might be a more well-known toolpath strategy, trochoidal turning can offer similar benefits such as high material removal rates especially for rough-turning operations.

  1. CNC Turning Tips for HRSA Materials

Rough-turning, heat-resistant superalloys can be challenging. However, new carbide insert technology provides the capability to perform high-speed, high-feed roughing in a single pass.

  1. Breaking the Barriers for Small Tool Breakage Detection

This contact-free tool breakage detector, especially useful for machine tools with small tools and small workzones, offers a quick and efficient way to change out broken tools before they cause bigger problems.

  1. Tips for Troubleshooting and Repairing Chip Conveyors

A nonfunctioning chip conveyor can cause a high-production machine to be down for an extended period of time. Here is some troubleshooting advice if you’re having issues with your chip conveyors.

  1. Pursuit of Parts Collector Spearheads New Enterprise

While searching for a small parts accumulator for Swiss-type lathes, this machine shop CEO not only found what he was looking for but also discovered how to become a distributor for the unique product.

  1. Reinventing the Wheel with Robot-Automated CNC Multitasking

One race team discovers how to efficiently manufacture a new wheel nut design for the next-generation NASCAR stock car with the help of a CNC mill/turn and a built-in robot.

  1. A Small CNC Machine Shop’s Journey to CMMC

Achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) —  soon to be required to do work for the U.S. government — takes time and money. This 10-person shop takes us through some of the challenges it has faced and lessons it has learned on its CMMC voyage.

  1. Software Controls Chip Breaking in Thread Turning Operations

This cutting tool manufacturer has developed a software module for chip control of thread turning operations in virtually any CNC lathe, even for older machines, using specific tooling and software.

  1. Why a Production Machine Shop Started a Baseball Bat Company

A 153-year-old manufacturer of precision, metal pins recently started a side business creating custom wooden baseball bats. The reasoning behind establishing this new company is intriguing, as is how it has helped create a stronger bond with the local community.