Time is of the essence in today’s highly competitive manufacturing world. What can you do to save time before, during and after machining? Here are several methods and approaches that can help. Why care about time when machining parts? As the cliché goes, time is money. With today’s

Two of the leading cutting-tool makers prepare for the future of part-making. We take a look at recent innovations—with a close eye on where tools are heading. From proprietary aerospace metals to polymers and carbon fiber composites to 3D-printed parts from metal powders, the mater

Find out the preferred techniques for working with medical-grade titanium, cobalt chrome and nickel-based stainless-steel alloys. Bone screws, fixation plates, hip and knee implants—these are just a few of the difficult medical parts some machinists face every day. Not only are the

Are you unsure about the value of 5-axis machining for your machine shop? Look no further than this helpful list of factoids that is sure to help guide you through its benefits. Perhaps your shop is thinking about acquiring 5-axis CNC machines. Or perhaps your shop already did and y

If you need to boost your CNC machining operation, it pays to understand how the technology of tool coatings can make a difference. Here are some good reasons to evaluate a high-performance cutting-tool coating for your next problem job. Good carbide is important, but a good coating

What’s the secret to optimizing throughput and lengthening tool life? We boil it down to the top methods that will deliver the biggest part-making bang for the buck. Choosing the right feeds and speeds when machining demands a delicate balance between productivity, part quality and

KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools’ Marketing Coordinator Dan Ott Explains Micro Machining 1. Micromachining is the machining process of remarkably small components with a tool that has a cutting diameter smaller than 0.015 inches and no more than a few tenths tolerance. Micro tools can cr

Dirty metalworking fluid can cause a host of problems for your CNC machining operation and can be harmful to machinists—if not cared for properly. Here are the top reasons for keeping your coolant and filters clean and maintained—with advice on how to manage it. Most machinists woul

As Part 3 in our series on aerospace manufacturing, we take a close look at landing gear component manufacturing with an eye toward what tooling makers experience working with some of the largest aerospace manufacturers and subcontractors in the industry. So far this year, we’ve gon

3D printing is growing up. Is it as revolutionary as its promise or just another valuable tool in the work toolbox—or both? We speak with MakerBot and a 3D-printing consultant in the Rust Belt to see where things are and where they are heading. 3D printing has not reached its full

It’s a challenge to find highly qualified machinists. Demands on production are almost always increasing. “Lights-out” manufacturing seeks to take advantage of today’s technology in the hours reserved for human downtime and talent shortages. But there’s plenty to understand to make i

Does it matter if a metalworking material is ferrous or nonferrous? The most important factor is understanding how any material works with your cutting tools in your machines—and that does matter, find tooling makers with metallurgy knowledge. Find out what you need to know about the

Here’s a quick, simple and visual way to see the most commonly used end mills in today’s machining and their basic application in this must-see infographic. Designed with cutting teeth on the face and edge of the body, end mills are intended to cut metal in several directions. While

From the right toolholding to using replaceable drill tips, there’s plenty to understand about keeping those pesky, stringy chips at bay. Here are the top ways to make better chips and, ultimately, to make better parts. Holemaking ranks among the more difficult of all machining oper

Whether you’re creating an aerospace blade, an automotive cylinder head or a valve on a ventilator, precision in manufacturing is crucial. Here’s what you need to know about precision measurements in manufacturing. The need for precision measurement has existed for as long as humans

Machinists are some of the most innovative thinkers, solving real-world problems and getting parts made and out the door on time. Sometimes things don’t always go as planned and they have to come up with a quick solution that gets the job done using whatever they have at their dispos

Looking for new ways to give your shop’s production output a kick in the pants? Automation may be a force multiplier. It might also free up your most experienced and ambitious machinists’ time for mentorship, learning new systems and leveling-up machine programming skills. And it cou

Dr. Thomas Kurfess, a machining expert and researcher at Georgia Tech, has developed algorithms that dramatically boost the production of 5-axis machines with automatic toolpath generation. Here, we sit down with Kurfess to discuss the industry’s most recent advancements and where ma

With nearly 30 years of manufacturing experience, Aerotech Machining is a powerhouse of precision manufacturing serving the regional needs of its customer base. We talk to the company about its challenges in part-making—and how it leverages an important inventory management and tooli

In aerospace, working with lightweight composite materials is the norm. We recently spoke with Sandvik Coromant to discuss common metalworking problems in carbon-fiber composites and the ways to overcome them. Composite materials such as carbon