Articles

Laser Measurement Enables Closed-Loop Centerless Grinding

This laser measurement system not only measures ground part diameters, but can also signal a grinder's control to make process adjustments on the fly.

Read More

The More Things Change: Quality Gaging Tips, The Book

We’ve decided to break from our usual format in this column to make a special announcement (at least, I think it’s special): Hanser Gardner Publications has released a new book, “Quality Gaging Tips,” written and edited by yours truly and the original author of this column, the late Jim McCusker. The book is a compilation of more than 140 Quality Gaging Tips columns, arranged by measurement topic and incorporating additional material and illustrations that would not fit in the original magazine format.

Read More

A New Approach To Critical Fluid Maintenance

Today, viscosity can be measured precisely by a sensor device that is immersed directly under a stream of fluid or mounted in the fluid tank or pipeline. In simplified terms, the sensor uses sound waves that lose energy when emitted along surfaces of a quartz crystal in contact with the fluid.

Read More

Strategic Magnetic Workholding

Switching to a modular form of magnetic workholding enabled this global retread supplier to accommodate a greater number of parts in one setup while accelerating cycle times.

Read More

How To Handle Tall Wire EDM Work

Modular workpiece fixturing plays a vital role in this shop’s quest to win larger, more difficult wire EDM jobs.

Read More

No Wires, No Worries

A wireless network can operate safely and effectively in a hostile shop floor environment, as the experience of this welding and machining company shows. Interference from other sources of radio waves can be avoided by installing suitable data access point hardware. Data security can be established with encryption and other techniques.

Read More

STEP NC—The End Of G-Codes?

In the not-too-distant future, the only machine tool input you'll need is a Web page.

Read More

Don’t Forget The Drawbar

The force that holds the toolholder in the machining center's spindle can weaken over time. If you haven't checked drawbar force in a while, this may be the weak link in your process.

Read More

Turning Without Rotating The Part

For large or unbalanced parts, this machining center can perform turning or boring operations using its programmable U axis.

Read More

Two Environmental Directives To Note

Not long ago, directives issued by governmental bodies outside the United States were often safely ignored by manufacturers in this country. Today, U.S. companies have to pay attention to laws and regulations coming from other countries because non-compliance may keep products made here out of key emerging markets.

Read More

American Factories Continue To Increase Equipment Investment

Here is a report on the findings of the 2006 World Machine Tool Output & Consumption Survey.

Read More

The Hard Milling Imperative

Hard milling allows mold components to be machined in the hardened state, thus skipping several expensive and time-consuming processes such as electrical discharge machining and hand polishing. 

Read More