It is common for machinists to run into issues in their production. From poor surface finish or tool life to an increase in vibration or creating oval holes instead of round holes during boring head applications, machinists try to solve these issues through many different avenues. Ho

Are your part quantities too low for a forming die? Do you only need a prototype? Here are two alternatives to stamping and deep draw stamping that are worthy of attention: metal spinning and hydroforming. Parts shaped like top hats, mixing bowls and rocket nose cones are easy enoug

Your spindle is the heart of your machine. But just like the human heart, it is only one part of a system. Servo and ball screws, variable frequency drives, air-supply quality, and coolants can all have a major impact on the health of spindle and machine performance. If you are havin

Brought To You by Jamie Goettler, Director of Customer Engagement at MSC Industrial Supply Co. Additive manufacturing seems to monopolize the spotlight when it comes to part production these days. Manufacturers flock to industry trade shows to see how this novel technology has advan

Vision inspection systems have been incredibly affected by today’s digital and data-driven technology. Learn how it has changed, become less prone to errors and helped ramp up part quality in efficient and automated ways. The tools and machines for inspecting parts have evolved in p

Tapping is one of the most demanding and problematic machining applications.  Threads are usually made in the last stage of the manufacturing process and therefore, it is the operator’s job to make sure the process is secure and finished correctly. The thread quality and tolerance s

Ball-nose end mills haven’t yet gone the way of the dinosaurs, but one thing is for sure — the asteroid just struck, and a barrel-shaped tsunami is on the way. Prepare to meet circle segment cutters. When milling a 3D mold surface with a ball-nose end mill, CNC machinists and progra

We dive into the 2017 “Top Shop” survey data to discover key elements and differences of distinction. What do they spend on tooling and machines—and which ones do they use? How do they train and share the wealth with employees? Find out. Each year, hundreds of manufacturers fill out

Hitting the sweet spot for upgrading tools is tricky. Go all in, and you might not get the best return on your investment. Go too cheap, and you might stymie productivity. Here’s a look at how to decide if or when to pop for a more high-end end mill. Poor tool life. Can’t make that

As with all machining technologies, it’s a good idea to periodically reevaluate your cutting tools. Here’s some of what’s new in solid carbide drilling. If your shop is using solid carbide drills, congratulations! You’re a member of a growing club that places performance and tool li

Reports indicate customers in the grinding wheel industry break approximately one grinding wheel per day. Most of these breakages are caused by human error, do not result in personal injury, and generally go unreported. Grinding wheel guards are one of the key components in keeping t

When deciding whether multiaxis tools are right for the job, shop chiefs first need to understand what’s changed from more conventional machining tools and then what factors to consider. Selecting a computer numerical control lathe or machining center was once a simple task: What tr

What’s it like for a shop to make the move to 5-axis machining? We spoke with Columbus McKinnon and Leighton Machine & Tool to find out. The benefits of 5-axis CNC machining are well-known, including decreased setup time and reduced scrap, as well as increased part accuracy and

Vibration is a byproduct of the rotating tools common in milling. But excessive vibration leads to chatter, which causes wear on tools and machines—and worse can result in poor-quality parts and excessive cycle times. Here’s an overview of the elements involved in vibration analysis

Over the past few weeks, manufacturing companies have switched to producing ventilators and masks to help medical facilities dealing with a severe equipment shortage. Making complex devices like ventilators is no simple maneuver, of course, so what does it take to be adaptable in the

One of the major benefits to creepfeed grinding is the combination of quick material removal with the ability to generate a precision ground surface on difficult-to-grind materials. Typically, creepfeed grinding results in a lower undeformed chip thickness relative to surface grindin

Generations who grew up using technology with ease may just be the ticket to solving the skills gap. Companies who refresh their outlook and career development planning to fully embrace millennial and Generation Z workers have the best chance, according to a Tooling U-SME white paper

In many manufacturing industries, speed to delivery of finished parts is paramount. But a scrapped part is not a finished part. The accuracy and quality of parts made to industry or compliance-based specification is just as important. We talk to experts in metrology to better underst

What are the important considerations when planning to upgrade the taps in your shop? Here’s the latest on tap evolution and the unique features being developed for high-precision and high-production thread-making. Tapping is tough work to begin with, but without the right tool it o

When is it time to upgrade your indexable cutting tools? When you need more flexibility or to cut time or effort from your part-making production. Get efficient. Not getting the tool life you expect? Or maybe you just scrapped out an expensive workpiece after the insert moved during