Improve Energy Savings and Efficiency with Vector Kinematics
The rocking, rotational nozzle movement performed by vector kinematics spray cleaning technology combined with temperature and cleaning additives provides an effective, fast and economical parts cleaning process.
Lori Beckman
Senior Editor, Production Machining
Profilometer Choices
Learn the difference between skidded and skidless profilometers that can be used to measure the surface roughness of machined parts.
Heat’s Impact on Parts Cleaning
Thermal dynamics is important for assisting in the cleaning of a part. Adding heat or energy influences the cleaning process through its impact on chemistry, the water within the washer and its effect on drying.
Measure 3D Parts Without Losing Time
This high-speed metrology and inspection system is said to process complex geometries faster than traditional inspection methods.
Turning to an Adhesive for Lathe Workholding
Adhesive cured by ultraviolet light is an option for securing parts for machining that could otherwise distort when traditional, mechanical clamping techniques are used.
A New Way to Collect and Sort Parts for CNC Machine Tools
This automated parts carousel not only catches and collects parts from a machine but also sorts the parts in bins attached to a rotating table.
Considerations for Bringing Passivation In House
If passivation is often required by your customers, moving this process in house can save time and money. However, it involves proper chemical handling and safety, compliance, equipment design and setup, and budget.
Data Enables Machines to Tell Their Own Stories
These examples reveal how a data collection system has minimized machine tool downtime and costs while simultaneously offering valuable insights into a shop’s processes.
Lori Beckman
Senior Editor, Production Machining
Network Quickly Connects Machine Shops with Repair Estimates
This network connects service requesters to service providers and can be a fast way for a machine shop of any size to quickly compare estimates.
Benefits of Renting or Leasing an Industrial Robot
Choosing a robot rental or leasing plan might be a wise business decision compared with purchasing a robot outright.
Fast Fixturing for Inspection and Laser Marking
The versatility of the Inspection Arsenal and Laser Arsenal modular fixture plate systems enables fixturing to be built on the individual grid plates. The plates can be easily removed from the magnetic docking rail when not needed.
Automated Hard Turning, Grinding on One Platform
This inverted vertical turning machine can perform hard turning and grinding of chucked components such as gears while loading and unloading material and completed parts itself.
Exploring the Benefits of Reaming for Finishing Bores
How does reaming compare to single-point boring? A supplier of reaming tools compares these processes commonly used to finish bores and offers tips for those considering reaming.
Cobots Gain Ability to Sort and Measure
New tooling that includes a precision robotic caliper extends the applicability of collaborative robots to perform sorting and measuring small parts.
Combining Deburring, Cleaning, Drying in One System
The EcoCvelox modular machine provides a combination of high-pressure waterjet deburring and low-pressure parts cleaning processes.
Lori Beckman
Parts Cleaning Editor, Production Machining and Products Finishing
Proper Disinfectant Use to Prevent COVID-19’s Spread
Learning how to choose the proper disinfectant for surfaces throughout your shop and then using it as directed are keys to stopping the spread of viruses such as the novel coronavirus.
CNC Apps You Possibly Didn’t Know You Could Benefit From
Some software capabilities go underutilized. One machine tool builder’s CNC software includes lesser-known apps that shops can leverage to their advantage.
High-Pressure Coolant Improves Profits and Productivity
High-pressure coolant that is efficiently applied to a cutting tool will enable faster, more precise cuts; prevent oxidation of the tooling and workpieces; and prolong the life of a cutting tool.
Automatically Optimize Your CNC Machining Feed Rates
New feed-rate-optimization technology can enable CAM programmers to reduce cycle times and increase tool life for milling and turning operations.
Electrochemical Grinding Makes a Point
A programmable pointing and material handling system used on electrochemical grinding machines can accommodate a range of needle point designs while eliminating a variety of pre- and post-process operations.
Measuring the Merit of Ceramic Cutters
In testing new ceramic microtools, a precision dynamometer ensures that cutting forces are measured precisely so tool performance parameters can be determined.
A Hands-On Approach to Cobot Gripping
As humans and robots begin to work closer together, grippers that have the flexibility of the human hand will be more in demand.
Julia Hider
Associate Editor, Modern Machine Shop
Cyclic Nucleation System Safely Cleans Complex Parts
LPW Reinigungssysteme GmbH has developed PowerJet, a modular cleaning system that offers the safe, effective cleaning of any part using only water and the cyclic nucleation process (CNp).
The Anatomy of a CNC Machine IoT Solution
Industry 4.0 is bringing sweeping changes to manufacturing and IIoT is one of its enabling technologies. Early adopters are reaping the benefits.
Debunking the Deburring Process
A car manufacturer struggled with a complex and unreliable deburring process for its crank case production line until it was introduced to a tool designed specifically for cross-bore deburring.
Getting Ready for Lights-Out Manufacturing
Lights-out manufacturing has the potential to save money while increasing capacity, but shops need the right equipment and to address potential challenges before implementing it.
High School Precision Machining Programs are Developing with Industry Support, and other Workforce Development News
ProShop USA is donating ERP software to the student-run Eagle Manufacturing business at Brown County High School in Indiana; Gateway Technical College celebrates expansion of Industry 4.0 center; Lakeview Precision Machining Inc. hosted 16 students from South Elgin High School in Illinois, on a tour of its facility; and finally, the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program formally welcomes its first nine students into the two-year program.
Optimizing Machine Tool Investment Through Cooperation
Manufacturers that purchase the right machines and cutting tools from the start save valuable time and maximize return on investment.