#TECHBRIEF

Grinding

Making Tribological Improvements to Bore Surfaces

A new “mechano-chemical” process that impregnates tungsten into the surface of honed bores at a nano level improves wear resistance while reducing friction between mating components.
#techbrief

Measurement

Precision Laser Measuring in a Grinding Machine

This laser measurement technology inside a grinding machine presents numerous advantages including noncontact, multiple-diameter measurement with no mechanical setup required.
#techbrief

Automation & Robots

Smart Workholding Device Measures and Monitors

Sensor and IIoT technology combine to enable these chucks and mandrels to automatically monitor workholding parameters and measure part features to ensure process stability.  
#techbrief

Workholding

Versatile Soft Jaw Introduces One-Size-Fits-All Technology

This soft jaw technology conforms to any part geometry and does not require removal from the machine tool when switching to a new job. It also saves shops setup and machining time, energy, and cost involved in the design and development of creating a custom soft jaw.
#techbrief

Automation & Robots

Automated Coolant Management for Multiple CNC Machines

Manual coolant management can be a roadblock that prevents machine shops from running uninterrupted processes or lights-out machining. This automated coolant management system replenishes coolant to multiple CNC machine tools without human intervention.
#techbrief #metalworkingfluids

Parts Cleaning

Recycling Solves the Problem of Expensive Solvent Maintenance

On-site solvent recycling reduces operational cost, lessens waste disposal, improves cleaning quality, minimizes process interruptions and more.  
#techbrief

Toolholders

Video: The Value of Shrink-Fit Collets for Live-Tool Lathes

Offering reduced setup times, high runout accuracy and high clamping forces, shrink-fit technology for ER collets is now available for live-tool lathes.
#techbrief

Automation & Robots

Built-In Robot Optimizes Turning Processes

A robot integrated within CNC lathes enables part loading and unloading, chatter suppression and chip removal, ensuring that each machine is consistently operating at its highest efficiency.
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Automation & Robots

Video: Athena Offers Voice-Operated Assistance for Machine Tools

This voice-operated assistant promises to guide, simplify and optimize tasks for experienced and inexperienced CNC machine tool operators alike.
#techbrief

Machine Shop Employee with Disabilities Shines in the Workplace

Using an untapped talent pool for finding skilled labor might open doors to a mutually beneficial partnership.
#workforcedevelopment #techbrief

Aerospace

Thread Milling Tips for Tricky Aerospace Materials

Compared to tapping, thread milling offers advantages for creating threads in challenging materials such as high-temperature alloys.
#techbrief #basics

Grinding

Double‐Rough Pinch Grinding Cuts Cycle Time in Half

This alternative to customary pinch grinding uses two roughing wheels to decrease cycle times for blank preparation of carbide cutting tools.
#techbrief

Cutting Tools

For CNC Multitasking Machines, Why Part Along Y?

Newly designed tooling takes advantage of a multitasking machine’s Y-axis motion to more effectively perform parting-off operations compared to conventional X-axis processes.
#techbrief

Automotive

Will Transmission Manufacturers Turn to Out-Of-Round Turning?

Out-of-round turning can be an efficient alternative to profile milling and grinding for polygon couplings that could replace traditional spline connections in automotive transmissions.
#techbrief #horizontal-and-vertical-lathes

Parts Cleaning

In-House Passivation: Questions Asked and Answered

Machine shops considering bringing passivation for stainless steel parts in-house have common questions. Here we answer a few, as well as run through some the passivation equipment suppliers might ask of shops.
#techbrief

Tooling

5 Facts About Thread Rolling

Unlike subtractive processes, thread rolling does not remove material but instead moves and molds ductile metals quickly and precisely into the thread form using a cold-forming process. Learn more about thread rolling and tooling advances here.
#techbrief

Single & Multi-Spindles

Speed, Process Control Combine in Refreshened Multi-Spindle Platform

A screw machine design known for its high production speed — but also its finicky nature to set up and run — has evolved to provide computer control, better accuracy and improved repeatability.
#techbrief

Automation & Robots

When Does a Filtering Chip Conveyor for CNC Lathes Make Sense?

A filtering chip conveyor might enable shops to more effectively match current machining needs while providing CNC lathes and mills to adapt to future requirements.
#techbrief

Single & Multi-Spindles

The Value of a CNC Multi-Spindle Chucker

For near-net-shape workpieces, a multi-spindle chucker might make sense when part production volumes are high.
#techbrief

CNC & Machine Controls

Compact Second-Op CNC Mill Gets Makeover

New control and programming capabilities make this small VMC well suited for second-op work or use as a standalone production milling machine.
#techbrief