VIDEOS

Swiss-Types

Low Frequency Vibration Increases Job Shop’s Productivity

With the ability to machine difficult materials more efficiently while improving surface finish, this job shop is reaping the benefits of its Swiss-type lathes that incorporate low frequency vibration.
#workforcedevelopment

Horizontal & Vertical Lathes

Optimize Minimum Quantity Lubrication Control Through a CNC Program

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) on a lathe offers many benefits when implemented properly. MQL becomes more of an asset when lubricant and air delivery can be controlled from a CNC program.
#techbrief #metalworkingfluids #horizontal-and-vertical-lathes

CNC Deburring and Chamfering Make a Difference

Manual deburring or chamfering of machined parts can be arduous and results can vary. A dedicated, 11-axis CNC process with complaint technology offers a faster, more repeatable and automated alternative.

Parts Cleaning

Automated Cleaning System Improves Productivity

This rotary basket washer drastically reduced the number of operators tending to the cleaning process as well as removed the bottleneck from that station.

Tooling

Carving Out a Niche in CNC Plastics Machining

This Vermont shop focuses solely on machining plastics — some filled with abrasive glass — for a range of industries. That makes it stand apart from others, but means it also faces challenges that metal machining shops often don’t encounter.

Turn-Mills

Metal Additive Manufacturing: Multitasking’s Latest Trend

Why are an increasing number of machine tool builders adding additive manufacturing to their equipment’s already versatile machining capabilities? Because additive and subtractive are complementary.
#additive

Automation & Robots

OB7’s Seventh Axis and a Digital Printer

The creator of the OB7 robot, Zac Bogart, talks about how this human-like robot arm came to be. 

Machining Centers & Milling Machines

Human-Like Robot Automates Secondary Machining Operations

Two seven-axis robots enable two second-op mills to run lights out eight hours in the evenings to win 64 hours of unattended machining time per week for this Ventura, California, shop.

Measurement

Why a CNC Multi-Spindle Machining Center Makes Sense for MetalQuest

An early adopter of multitasking equipment, this Nebraska contract manufacturer has taken what it feels is the next logical step to diversify by adding a multi-spindle for greatly reduced cycle times on an existing high-volume job.

Automation & Robots

Automation Idea for a Social-Distanced Halloween?

Maybe not. But, the candy-throwing robots at MetalQuest’s Nebraska facility do enable the contract machine shop to stand out at career fairs and similar events.
#Industry40