Methods Machine Tools, Inc.

Win-Win Scenario Automates a High Volume Turning Operation
What started as a sales call from Bucci Industries to Methods Machine Tools evolved into a true success story at Gardner Denver's Fort Worth, Texas facility.

Repeatability with Heavy-Duty Vertical Turning
Developments in vertical turning technology, such as multitasking functionality, have further increased these machines' relevance.

Heavy-Duty Feeler Vertical Turning Lathe Offers High Repeatability and Accuracy
Methods Machine Tools Inc. has introduced the Feeler FVT-600 vertical turning lathe, ideal for machining large, heavy, challenging parts including those used in aerospace and power generation industries.

Shop Grows its Multitasking Operations
Here's a look at what this shop's expanded multitasking capabilities have meant to its success and how it plans to continue building momentum.

Machine Donation Helps Students
Methods Machine Tools has donated the use of a new vertical machining center and a turning center to Ivy Tech Community College’s Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (OAMTC) in Warsaw, Ind. as part of the Advanced Manufacturing and Orthopedic Quality Standards and Technical Skills certificate program curriculum.

Methods Appoints Feeler Product Manager
Methods Machine Tools Inc. has appointed Dale Hedberg as FEELER product manager for Methods.

NTJ-100 Features Fast Cycle/Tool Change Time and Swiveling B Axis
Methods Machine Tools Inc.’s Nakamura-Tome NTJ-100 multitasking turn/mill center is well-suited for a range of production needs.

CAM for Multitasking
Even in many smaller precision parts shops, turn-mill machines have become a significant factor. While such multitasking operations can deliver the necessary faster cycle times and throughput that this type of work demands, the complex processes can require additional programming knowledge.

Feeler FT-Series Turning Centers Feature All-Boxway Design
Feeler FT-Series high performance CNC turning centers feature an all-boxway design to significantly increase cutting capacity.

300 Series of Digital Optical Comparators for Smaller Parts
Methods Machine Tools offers the 300 series of VisionGauge digital optical comparators developed by Visionx.

Succeeding Through Automation and Production-on-Demand Solutions
Momentum is still building for manufacturing in North America.

Event Faces the Skilled Worker Shortage
E-Newsletter

Software Simplifies Turn-Mill Operations
An international player in the highly competitive aeronautics, automotive, defense and optical industries makes the most of software for multitasking program verification and optimization.

Three-Turret Turn-Mill Accommodates 72 Tools
Methods Machine Tools introduces the Nakamura-Tome NTY3-250 turn-mill.

High-Speed, 3-Turret Multitasking Turning Center Eliminates Downtime
The Nakamura-Tome NTY3-250 multitasking turning center from Methods Machine Tools has three high rigidity turrets, each with a Y axis of 4.4” (112 mm)—the longest Y axis in its class, according to Methods.

Fully Automated Part-to-CAD Measurement Verification
The complex geometries of parts that are produced in today’s shops are known to have tight tolerances that require highly detailed measurement for quality control.

Eight-Axis Multitasking Turning Center
Methods Machine Tools Inc. has introduced the Nakamura-Tome WT-150 II eight-axis, multitasking turning center.

Matsuura Product Manager in US
Methods Machine Tools Inc. and Matsuura Machinery Corporation have appointed John Schwartz as product manager in the U.S. for Matsuura Machinery Corporation, a newly created position to support increased demand for Matsuura products. 

Turn-Mill Software on Nakamura Multitasking Machines
The CAMplete TruePath turn-mill software on Nakamura-Tome multitasking turning centers is an integrated suite of G-code editing, optimization, analysis and verification tools, enabling a range of turn-mill functions. 

Practical Automation for a Variety of Turning Applications
A key way to reduce labor costs on turning centers is to add automation for part loading and unloading.

The Evolution of the Y Axis on Turn-Mill Machines
Introduced to the turn-mill machine tool design in about 1996, the Y axis was first used on a single-spindle, mill-turn lathe with a subspindle. The idea of a Y axis on a CNC originated from the quality limitation of polar interpolation and the difficulty in programming, not from electronic advances in controls or servomotor technology as one might commonly think.

April 2011 PM News
A Winning PartnershipSandvik Coromant and the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team have again extended their partnership for 2 more years.

Multitasking Centers with Turn-Mill Software
The company will demonstrate CAMplete Turn/Mill software on a Nakamura WT-100 multitasking turning center.

PM News: March 2011
Cleaning Technologies Group Names New PresidentTim Piazza was named president of Blackstone-NEY Ultrasonics.

December PM News
News from AME, Mazak, Methods Machine Tools, NUM, NTMA, MTConnect and the Morris Group.

PM News: October 2010
Live Tooling Manufacturer Opens U.S.

Digital Optical Comparator
Methods Machine Tools Inc. is the exclusive distributor of the VisionGauge digital optical comparators throughout North America.

VMCs, Lathes and Bore Mills
The company offers a range of Feeler machines that feature extensive engineering by Methods, including vertical machining centers with a linear guideway design.

August 2010 PM News
Acquisition of Mobile Robot ProviderAdept Technology Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire privately held MobileRobots Inc., a provider of autonomous robot and automated guided vehicle (AGV) technologies.

June 2010 PM News
News from AME, Hardinge, TE-CO, Methods Machining, Nikon Metrology, Star SU, MSC, SMW Autoblok and more.

Multitasking Turning Center Enables Value-Added Service
Going the extra mile for customers is something that not all shops take advantage of for one reason or another.

May 2010 News
New Sales ManagerRandy Flores has been selected to lead Hurco Companies Inc.’s direct sales initiative in Southern California.

Simplification for the Sake of Productivity
Here's a B-axis multitasking machine designed to simplify the setup process so that more people on the shopfloor will feel comfortable running it.

Twin-ATC B-Axis Turn/Mill
Methods Machine Tools’ Nakamura-Tome Super NTMX multitasking turn-mill offers dual 24-tool ATC magazines. Full five-axis milling capability via a Fanuc 31i-A5 control is said to provide high precision and accuracy for manufacturing complex contoured components in large or small volumes for the medical, aerospace and similar industries.

Turn-Mill Centers Reduce Cycle Time
The entry-level Nakamura-Tome TW-8 multitasking turn-mill center from Methods Machine Tools is said to reduce cycle times. An opposed, two-spindle, two-turret construction allows the centers to perform like two single spindle machines within a compact footprint, the company says.

Three-Turret Multitasking Center
The Nakamura-Tome multitasking turning center is said to offer 100-percent stock-on turning and machining that virtually eliminates lost productivity from tool changes. The Super NTY3 has three turrets, each with a Y axis—all in a relatively small footprint (109. 45" × 77.

Cublex Technology In Machining Centers
Methods Machine Tools Inc. has introduced two Matsuura five-axis vertical machining centers featuring the industry’s multitasking technology, Cublex.  This technology integrates turning and grinding functions into a high performance five-axis milling platform, providing unprecedented speed, power, accuracy, tool capacity and multi-process machining capabilities.

30-Taper VMC Has Faster Contouring
 The F series RoboDrill provides milling performance in a 30-taper machine. It is designed to have fast drilling and tapping, excellent high-speed milling comparable to much larger machines, precision boring, and high-speed deburring.

Three-Turret Turning Center--Methods Machine Tools
The Super NTY(3) multitasking turning center from Nakamura-Tome offers 100-percent stock-on turning and machining that virtually eliminates lost productivity because of tool changes. With three turrets, each with a Y axis, it outperforms single-tool multitasking machines, allowing one-pass complete turning/machining/finishing to reduce part cycle times.

Machining/Automation Cell Designed For Job Shops
Designed specifically for job shops with small to medium lot sizes, the JobShop Cell from Methods Machine Tools is a fully integrated production cell that combines a RoboDrill VMC with a fully interfaced Fanuc six-axis robot for automated loading/unloading. Pre-engineered to meet a job shop's need for simple installation, fast setups, quick change-overs, operator safety and production flexibility, the cell is easily configured to handle virtually any part that will fit in its 6" vise or chuck. It comes complete with inbound and outbound conveyors and guarding.

Concrete Reasoning On Swiss Turning
This tech brief discusses the application of polymer concrete as a machine base material for precision Swiss turning.

Swiss Precision And Flexibility Help Shop Compete
This company is so pleased with its new Swiss-type turning center's performance that the company president calls it "the best possible way to keep this work in the United States." As his research indicated, the machine reduces labor costs by completing four or more machining operations in a single setup

30-Taper VMC For Medical Machining
The RoboDrill E vertical machining center offers the speed, accuracy and versatility needed to machine a range of medial parts. The 30-taper machine is especially good for machining medical devices and components such as tibial bearings, valve bodies and assemblies, probes, tubular and solid needles, knobs, sleeves, implants, dental tools and EMI shields from stainless steel, titanium, hardened tool steels or engineered plastics. The machine offers high-speed milling comparable to much larger machines, lightning-fast drilling and tapping and high-speed deburring.

Three-Turret Turning Center Reduces Cycle Times
A multitasking turning center from Nakamura-Tome offers 100-percent stock-on turning and machining that virtually eliminates lost productivity because of tool changes, according to the company. The Super NTY3 has three turrets, each with a Y axis — all in a relatively small footprint (109. 45"W x 77.

Turn, Mill And Drill In One Setup
Maier CNC Swiss turning centers provide start-to-finish machining—simultaneous turning and milling/drilling—in one operation. Available from Methods Machine Tools, Inc. , ML ProLine machines are available in five different series, with configurations ranging from four axes with as many as 11 tools to 11 axes with as many as 30 tools.

VMC Especially Usefull For Medical Machining
The RoboDrill E from Methods Machine Tools, Inc. can be employed to machine medical devices and components such as tibial bearings; valve bodies and assemblies; probes; tubular and solid needles; knobs; sleeves; implants; dental tools; and EMI shields from stainless steel, titanium, hardened tool steels or engineered plastics. The 30-taper vertical machining center can accomplish high speed milling, drilling and tapping, as well as high speed deburring operations.

Economical Production With A CNC Sliding Headstock Automatic
Builders face constant pressure to deliver equipment that can reduce machining times and labor costs. An approach to help reduce cycle times is one-pass machining, which eliminates the time and expense of refixturing parts for secondary processing and eliminates inaccuracies that can occur when parts are refixtured.

Swiss-Type Turning Centers Produce Parts Complete
Maier CNC Swiss turning centers provide start-to-finish machining (simultaneous turning and milling/drilling) in one operation. ML ProLine machines are available in five different series with configurations ranging from four axes with up to 11 tools to 11 axes with up to 30 tools. Originally developed for the Swiss watch-making industry, Swiss-type turning centers are designed to turn small, complex parts with high precision, but Maier machines can also handle barstock to 32 mm in diameter.

B-Axis Turning Center For One-Setup Turning
The multi-tasking Nakamura-Tome Super NTJ turning center completes multi-face angular machining and contour milling in a single setup, eliminating the need to refixture the part on another machine to perform secondary operations. The machine features a 5,000-rpm, 20-hp left-side spindle; a 5,000-rpm, 15-hp right-side spindle and a dodecagonal 24-station lower turret for both left and right spindles. The B-axis turret is capable of angular positioning to ±91 degrees from the horizontal, eliminating the need for angular workholders.

Swiss-Type Turning Center
Maier CNC Swiss turning centers provide start-to-finish machining (simultaneous turning and milling/drilling) in one operation. ML ProLine machines are available in five different series with configurations ranging from four axes with up to 11 tools to 11 axes with up to 30 tools. Originally developed for the Swiss watch-making industry, Swiss-type turning centers are designed to turn small, complex parts with high precision, but Maier machines can also handle barstock to 32 mm in diameter.

Twin Spindle Turning Center With Four Turrets
With twin spindles and four turrets, the Nakamura-Tome WTW-150 can turn complex precision parts in a single setup. Independent slides, 13 controlled axes, equal left and right machining and 48 stations of flexible tooling provide unmatched flexibility and productivity. Dual Fanuc CNCs allow independent programming of each spindle.

Swiss-Type Turning Centers With Complete Machining
Maier CNC Swiss turning centers provide start-to-finish machining (simultaneous turning and milling/drilling) in one operation. ML ProLine machines are available in five different series with configurations ranging from four axes to 11 axes. Originally developed for the Swiss watchmaking industry, Swiss-type turning centers are designed to turn small, complex parts with high precision, but these machines can also handle bar stock to 32 mm in diameter.