What is takt time and what is cycle time? Where do they intersect? We dive into the nuance of these two often confusing manufacturing subjects. Whether it’s the length of time needed to bake a cake or the amount of air in your car’s tires, history shows that no one can argue the im

Metals such as heat-resistant superalloys and titanium can be really difficult, but with the right approach and guidance in machining, tool holding and insert selection, machine operators can overcome the problem areas. From implantable joints in the human body to big parts for mar

Global manufacturers and technologists are constantly searching for production improvements and investigating the use of different kinds of materials to make their products more attractive to the market. To achieve these aims in a rapidly changing world, all concerned need to be more

Gripping Torque: Is This the Right Way to Measure Toolholder Effectiveness?: Part 1 of a 2 Part Series The widespread belief in the machining industry is that gripping torque

David Goetz, Application Engineer, Norton | Saint-Gobain Abrasives Many manufacturers today use abrasives somewhere in their process. In fact, without abrasives our planes wouldn’t fly, our cars wouldn’t drive, and the list goes on. Whether making precision bearings, knocking down w

Is chatter slowing down your shop’s productivity? We speak with experts about a new approach to minimizing vibrations in machined parts manufacturing which means you can speed more parts to market at a faster pace and with less waste.  Excessive machining vibration, also called chat

Is Titanium used in the automotive market? It is, although I see it used more in the aftermarket, racing or high-performance segment of the automotive industry along with motorcycles versus typical automotive production. I see it in areas of high-output engines such as valve train c

A visit from an unexpected but experienced metalworking specialist leads to tangible tool quality and milling improvements—and a $33,000 reduction in annual costs for Lakes Precision. Read how. Three Lakes, Wisconsin, in Oneida County is surrounded by many more lakes than just the t

Struggling to replace the mindset of “That’s the way we’ve always done it” at your machine shop with “How can we do it better?” A growing number of your rivals and peers are too, contending with insufficient staff and know-how to update manufacturing technology as well as a lack of m

Prototyping is an obvious process and first step for any design cycle. Ensure your part feels a certain way, fits within an assembly, or holds up under extreme conditions. When it comes to manufacturing techniques, 3D printing prototypes remains king. 3D printing started out with a

High-feed milling has many advantages, including helping you improve your metal removal rate and prolonging tool life. Here’s more about cutting strategies that can improve the output of your machining centers. As machining becomes more sophisticated and industry players look for so

Need a strategy to help justify or defend your machining and manufacturing training budget? A recent Tooling U-SME webinar shows you how return on investment metrics are the most strategic business method for employee learning programs. Training is often the first thing to end up on

What are manufacturing companies experiencing as they reopen and ramp up production following the COVID-19 crisis? Here’s what you need to know about returning to work under “new normal” conditions. For a company more used to running at speeds of around 200 mph, the deliberate proce

Even with perfect technique and high-end machines, machinists have to manage burrs. Should you use that CNC machine or are hand-deburring tools more cost-effective? No matter how efficient the metal removal process, no matter how sharp and well-maintained the cutting tool, burrs are

Gripping Torque: The Answer to the Wrong Question. Part 2 of a 2 Part Series (see Gripping Torque: Is This the Right Way to Measure Tool/Toolholder Effectiveness?). As machi

When it comes to metalworking, advantages such as increased productivity, longer tool life and better finishes are vital for gaining a competitive edge. That’s why the TuffCut® XT line of end mills is such a compelling choice for machine shops. We talk to M.A. Ford® about the develop

Manufacturers supplying the intricate parts needed for the auto industry’s ramp-up of electric vehicle production are clamoring for specialized cutting tools that deliver larger quantities of Swiss-machined products than ever before, and on a tight timetable. That kind of challenge d

Using the most basic measure of productivity­­­—what Kennametal engineer Danny Davis calls “counting the cubes,”­­ or cubic inches of metal removed—the toolmaker’s new FBX drills, Harvi Ultra 8X indexable helical end mills and Harvi III solid carbide helical end mills each far outper

Time was when milling required multiple tools to get the job done. Now Kennametal’s new HARVI I TE series with square and ball nose end mills is setting new performance standards. Here’s what you need to know about the new tool. Kennametal’s newest addition to its HARVI I TE series

Machine tool spindles are among the most critical pieces of equipment in your shop. It’s why you want to keep them running without breakdowns for as long as possible. Here are three areas to focus on to ensure you don’t get saddled with costly spindle repairs and unnecessary downtime