New insert coating technology that features a defect-free, sub-micro surface quality lends itself well to the kinds of cutting load encountered by the inserts during thread whirling. Photo Credits: GenSwiss As a reader of Production Machining magazine, there’s a very good chance you&rs

This video briefly describes low frequency vibration. Credit: Marubeni Citizen-Cincom Inc.   Turning superalloys on a machine is challenging. These often stubborn materials can be tough on carbide cutting tools and produce long, stringy chips that wrap around parts and leave behind a poor s

Every month, we’re putting together a Technology Showcase, highlighting some of the print and digital-only product information that Production Machining received from supplier companies. For March, we’re focusing on turning machines, including a chucker-convertible Swiss-type l

Precision CNC production grinding shines when parts require tight geometric tolerances and quality surface finishes. Typically, surface finishes in the range of 32 microinches Ra to as low as 4.0 microinches Ra and better are the numbers needed to be achieved. Comparatively, a traditional milling or

Since opening in 1996, MetalQuest has focused on adopting multitasking technology. Its latest addition is this eight-spindle multi that currently runs a family of five parts. When Scott Harms started his MetalQuest contract machining business in 1996, the company president set it up to be diffe

This video is an overview of Swiss Productions and the implementation of the robot that enabled lights-out machining for the company. (Video credit: Swiss Productions Inc.)   The ideal production scenario for a shop is for one piece of equipment to machine parts complete. Ventura, Californi

The laser cladding head for WFL Millturns install directly into the machines’ B-axis spindles. Photo credit: WFL Millturn Technologies. Additive manufacturing (AM), technology that builds 3D components layer-by-layer, continues to evolve. Once a tool primarily used for prototyping parts i

Machining plastics presents challenges in terms of tooling, workholding and chip (and dust) management. (Photo credits: K&E Plastics.) While there are advantages to being a niche CNC machine shop, there can be distinctive challenges as well. K&E Plastics in Bennington, Vermont, is

The Multitasking Knowledge Center at imts.com/spark covers innovations across a range of multipurpose machining center platforms, including Swiss-type lathes. Various Gardner Business Media brands, including Production Machining magazine, are helping AMT — The Association for Manufac

The Index MS32-6 multi-spindle lathe features the company’s new tool slide platform that uses a W-serration interface and quick-clamping system to enable fast changeovers. My “Chasing Threads” column here lays out the reasoning for this article. In short, while the physic

Thin rings such as this one are candidates for a photo-activated adhesive workholding process. The process eliminates part distortion that can might happen when conventional, mechanical clamping devices are used. For some turning applications, chuck jaws or other conventional workholding device

As the pride of the Badger state, Mercury Marine is locally known simply as “Merc.” The 81-year-old roots of this American icon give it a rich history, making it the pride of the community and a favorite of the boating public. Meanwhile, its success makes Merc the envy of its compet

When it comes to delivery of precision turned parts of the quality required by today’s medical, electronics, automotive and aerospace industries, sometimes the relationships a company can establish with both its customers and suppliers can make all the difference in the world. Here’s a c

The most successful machine shops are the ones that are always striving to improve. This is why companies seek out the best technology and work to use it in the most efficient way. The founder of American Turned Products (ATP) was dedicated to improvement, a mindset he instilled in the company&rsquo

“Component quality” is a buzzword often mentioned in gear manufacturing. However, at Humbel Gear Technology in Switzerland, it is particularly important. The gears and transmission components developed and produced here are used in applications including motor sports and prototypes to en

High Dynamic Turning combined with the FreeTurn tooling system from Ceratizit uses a turn-mill center’s B-axis/milling spindle to perform the turning process. Photo credits: Ceratizit Ceratizit USA, part of Luxembourg-based Ceratizit Group, has developed an alternate 

Digital data management is increasingly driving manufacturing strategy, operations, and asset allocation in contemporary manufacturing companies, however, collecting and comparing machining data in a uniform way can be a challenge for shops with a mix of new technology and legacy equipment. Dan Vill

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, this manufacturer of ANSI pumps for a range of industries stretching from mining and mineral to pharmaceutical to oil and gas is proud of its made in the USA philosophy. To stay ahead of competition, much of which comes from overseas, PumpWorks Industrial is on a con

When a shop is in the market for machine tools, it might depend on the experts for guidance. The machine tool manufacturers know their equipment and its capabilities; they should be able to determine the applications for which it is best suited and those where it may fail. Otto Engineering Inc. of

MMD Medical has built a separate white room with a dedicated HVAC system to keep the dry Swiss machining operations free from other potential contaminants around the manufacturing facility. In the fast-paced, highly regulated world of Class II and Class III medical device manufacturing, compa