When you strip back the hype of Industry 4.0 and focus on the balance of output and quality, the results of its potential promise can be realized. We spoke with a veteran of precision manufacturing and sensor-based metrology technology from Renishaw to understand how Industry 4.0 can

The Association For Manufacturing Technology opened the 2018 IMTS in Chicago to record numbers of visitors and exhibitors from 117 countries. Today kicked off the 32nd International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago—and it opened with a keynote introduction by Doug Woods, pr

Get a deeper understanding of how to best grind superalloy materials. If you’re attending IMTS this year, take note of the multiple conference sessions focused on high-performance grinding—and see techniques that will help you in your everyday machining operations. Used widely in th

The MSC Lenox Certified Weld Center produced 114,000 band saw blades last year, many for orders that came in and shipped out the same day. How did its team of seven welders achieve that? We talk to both Lenox and MSC to find out. “A band saw blade is only as good as the weld that ho

For manufacturing shops seeking new areas of profitability, aerospace parts making can be a lucrative market—but it comes with investment, independent auditing and changes in quality management. Read what one company, General Machine-Diecron, gained from the process. Aerospace manuf

Parts manufacturing is a competitive endeavor. To outdo your competition, you have to fully understand your costs. So the question is: Do you understand your costs enough to know where you can improve? Process optimization may help. Process optimization. Return on investment. Value

At this year’s IMTS, part quality, the use of data and metrics’ accuracy are getting a solo and a spotlight. We talked to Dr. Erik Novak of 4D Technology, who will be presenting at an IMTS 2018 conference session on measurement. Metrology is important to incorporate into your qualit

In an interview with Kennametal at IMTS 2018, we take the pulse of the industry and the state of innovation from the cutting tool maker’s perspective. We also discuss one of Kennametal’s own innovations in spindle connections. This year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show

From helping to reduce the impact of the skills gap to allowing more intelligent data to be communicated between tools and machines, the future of tool holding is ripe for more efficiency—with more intelligent automation. We spoke with an executive from Haimer USA on the promise of t

5 Questions With Jason Wells 1. How can the KYOCERA SGS Tech Hub provide an optimal solution to each unique customer challenge? Like a fingerprint, every machining application is unique. Therefore, making blanket predictions for each customer is challenging. With such a complex ser

Carbide Where it Matters Some good ideas can be made even better. Much better. This was certainly the case when Kennametal engineers took the strength and versatility of their proven KSEM modular drill system and combined it with the ease of use and low feed forces of its smaller co

Polycrystalline diamond round tools, available with short lead times, enable high-efficiency aluminum machining. Kennametal has introduced a new line of PCD round tools for aluminum machining that delivers up to 10 times higher productivity than carbide tooling. The new line of dril

In a production-grinding operation, waviness on the part surface is a potential clue that the machine or process has developed a vibration problem. The effect might be seen in inspection, or if there is a lapping or polishing step, the effect might be seen in the increased time spent

3D additive metal extrusion manufacturing is beginning to establish itself in the market. With a more inviting price point than other 3D technologies, it has the potential to shake things up. We profile several major players in the space—and their claims to fame.

Secure, strong, and extremely fast, the KOR 5 from Kennametal takes aluminum roughing for aerospace to an entirely new level. Kennametal announced its latest innovation in high-velocity aluminum roughing, the KOR™ 5 solid carbide end mill. Designed for maximum productivity in aerosp

What does it take to go out on your own and start a metalworking business? For Dynamic Machining, it’s all about knowing the fundamentals of making things and having experienced business partners you can trust. Starting a CNC machine shop is a risky endeavor. But with the right att

Much of today’s multitask and multiaxis machining would not work without machine programming. Here are the fundamentals of the languages of machine programming: G-code, M-code and CAM—with a look to the future beyond G-code. To comprehend the role of machine programming in CNC manu

Lengthy shutdowns can lead to potentially costly problems in your coolant sump. As the COVID-19 outbreak forces some manufacturers to contemplate extended shutdowns, here are proven steps you can take to protect your equipment when production slows. Production slowdowns are a normal

“Lights-out” manufacturing uses industry 4.0 technology to automate your operations so they run without human labor. It allows companies to keep machines running after hours and despite talent shortages. Here are five factors that will help make lights-out manufacturing work for you.

Manufacturers want the same thing: Zero defects and no unplanned downtime. Achieving that lofty production efficiency goal on the shop floor, however, is another matter. Enter overall equipment effectiveness. What is OEE? Companies worldwide use overall equipment effectiveness—bett