Does a Scanning Probe Make Sense on a Swiss-Type?
Swiss-types have limited tooling capacity, but there can be advantages to giving up some of that capacity to take advantage of a touch probe — in fact, a scanning probe — to enable in-process part measurements.
#techbrief
LATEST ARTICLE
Adding ERP? Set up a Test Environment Before Going Live
Are you planning to add an ERP solution or switch to a new platform for your CNC machine shop? Setting up a test environment enables your employees to learn and train for the new software and can help ensure success. Here are five reasons why that is.
Register for 2021 Parts Cleaning Conference Now!
See this year’s agenda, register, and learn more about the conference at partscleaningevent.com.
Production Machining’s April 2021 News Highlights
Industry edges its way back to near normal with the in-person Deburring Expo planned for Oct. 12-14, 2021, in Karlsruhe, Germany. Other news includes Zeiss’ Facility Engineering Award, Seco Tools’ virtual showcase for precision medical manufacturing, FANUC’s online cobot training and more.

Explore IMTS spark
The Parts Cleaning Series
ON DEMAND: Learn how to use the latest technology and stay within environmental limitations with this 6-part webinar series.
Top Shops
The Gardner Business Intelligence and Modern Machine Shop Top Shops Program is both an honor for the shops chosen annually, and a benchmarking tool for all who participate. See how your business stacks up.
Practical Approaches to Automation
Automation isn't just useful for large volumes of the same part. Today, it is increasingly being used in machine shops for high-mix, low-volume jobs.
Digital Manufacturing
From machine monitoring and machine tool dynamics to out-of-the-box digital tools, discover the digital manufacturing technologies becoming a requirement for competing in the marketplace as well as simplifying and improving businesses.
Mitsubishi LoadMate Robotic Cell Streamlines Parts Loading, Unloading
Machine Tending Robotic Cell features portability, easy setup and programming, high performance and safety layout for both job shops and larger scale production environments.
Rollomatic Upgrades Grinding Machines for Dental Burs, Rotary Instruments
The various Rollomatic CNC grinding machines can be used for high-volume geometry grinding and blank prep aration of a number of dental cutting tools.
Solid Ceramic End Mills Offer Increased Feed Rates, Broader Speed Range
Greenleaf’s XSYTIN-1 ceramic material provides ultra-high strength and wear resistance at extreme feed rates.
Paperless Parts, Plex Systems Partnership Makes It Easier to Estimate Jobs
The Paperless Parts software will be part of the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform, enabling Plex users to price jobs faster and more accurately, better service customers and grow their businesses.
Starrett Multisensor Vision System Inspects Large, Complex Parts
More of the part can be viewed in every image, enabling greater efficiency and accuracy for quality control processes.
Carsten Liske Takes Over as Chiron Group CEO
Liske is leading the operations department, which encompasses the global service, production, logistics, procurement and quality management divisions.
Understanding – and Machining – Ultra-Clean Steel
Using the strongest steel available to create critical automotive powertrain components is necessary and in demand. Understanding how to properly machine ultra-clean steel and executing these techniques will enable cost-efficient and consistent part production.
Carmex Solid Carbide Thread Mills Cut Heat-Resistant Materials
Thread mills feature more flutes for improved performance in hard materials and are constructed of a specially formulated carbide that is triple coated.
Deburring Expo Plans In-Person Event Oct. 12-14, 2021
The event will highlight deburring technology and precision surface finishing with themed areas covering “Cleaning After Deburring,” “Automated Deburring with Industrial Robots” and “AM Parts Finishing.”
Nominate Your Production Machining 2021 Emerging Leader!
Consider nominating a young person in the precision machining industry who has a refreshing passion for what they do and are leaders in their organization or community while inspiring those around them.
TDM Systems Appoints New VP of Global Sales, Marketing
Jean-Paul Seuren will be responsible for optimizing and expanding the sales structure of the company, while managing the sales performance of TDM Systems.
Method Machine Tools’ JobShop Cell Pro Offers Multiple Infeed, Outfeed Options
System includes a RoboDrill D21SiBadv Vertical Machining Center Series, which has several different pre-engineered end-of-arm and infeed/outfeed options for a range of part and capacity requirements for medium-volume applications.
Swiss Shop Chooses CAM Over Hand Programming
This shop’s manual (by hand) CNC programming was slowing it down until it discovered a CAM software for Swiss-type lathes.
Precision Machining Technology Review: Measurement
Production Machining’s April Showcase includes Big Kaiser, L.S. Starrett, LK Metrology, Vison Engineering, Verisurf Software and Carl Zeiss Microscopy names.
Hydromat Rotary Transfer Machine Cuts Complex Turned, Milled Parts
The machine features 12 independently driven workpiece spindles and up to 18 machining modules in both horizontal and vertical positions, enabling challenging machining tasks to be performed from six sides.
Custom Tooling, Workholding Help Whip Rotors Into Shape
Whipple Superchargers uses unique form tools and dead-length-collet workholding for its B-axis turn-mill enabling it to create more accurate rotors for its brand of engine power-adders.
Zeiss Receives Engineering Award for Quality Excellence Center
New facility showcases interconnectivity between quality and smart factories.
Marc Desrayaud Named Mikron Group CEO
Desrayaud has an in-depth market knowledge and experience, particularly in the tooling, automotive and watchmaking industries as well as in medical technology, the company says.
Paperless Parts Adds Search Function to Quoting Software
Digital search tool provides easy access to all formats of historical data.
The ESOP Alternative for Retiring Machine Shop Owners
An employee stock ownership plan is worth considering for retiring shop owners in which handing their companies to their children doesn’t make sense.