June-July 2011
When investing in new CNC sheet or plate contour cutting equipment, which process will best cover all of the requirements? Jim Colt of Hypertherm explores how the answer lies in knowing how to use plasma, oxy-fuel, laser, or abrasive waterjet processes most effectively.
The Elephant In The Room: Guest columnist and well-known economist Peter Morici shares some thought-provoking business insights in this great analysis of why kids are going to school to get degrees and no one is making things.
Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how, with help screens, full instruction manuals and troubleshooting advice embedded in various languages at the touch of a button, today’s CNC can help machine tool operators identify and overcome most in-cycle problems quickly, so they can make more parts.
Recent activities and events going on in the business of fabricating and metalworking.
People making recent headlines in the business of fabricating and metalworking.
The Elephant In The Room: Guest columnist and well-known economist Peter Morici shares some thought-provoking business insights in this great analysis of why kids are going to school to get degrees and no one is making things.
Dan Kleiman of LA-CO/Markal Industries explains how industrial markers have graduated from being just “office supplies” to key tools that help fabricators, welders and metalworking professionals meet their quality control standards, worker identification needs and part identification liability codes.
Roger Patton of PennEngineering explains how advances in automated fastener-installation press technology are contributing significantly toward resolving traditional equipment-related issues and promoting both “green” and cost-effective operations.
Aimed at architecture and underbody components, the resulting parts from this new automotive composite materials and process technology from MAG are 40-60 percent lighter than steel and significantly stronger than high-strength sheet molding compound.
Todd Cuffaro is a former driver of race cars and now, as president of Miller Machine Works, he is driving his company to finish first in a number of areas, mainly performance on complex parts, quality, turnaround time, and sales.
Quick conversational programming and versatility for deep-hole boring, profiling and threading make 14 lathes from MAG central to Cougar Tool Manufacturing’s short-run manufacture, refurbishment and development of downhole tools.
The latest innovation in the area of natural stone processing is this KUKA robot-based cutting center from USG Robotics that works marble, granite and other natural stones in a cost-effective manner.
When investing in new CNC sheet or plate contour cutting equipment, which process will best cover all of the requirements? Jim Colt of Hypertherm explores how the answer lies in knowing how to use plasma, oxy-fuel, laser, or abrasive waterjet processes most effectively.
People making recent headlines in the business of fabricating and metalworking.
Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how, with help screens, full instruction manuals and troubleshooting advice embedded in various languages at the touch of a button, today’s CNC can help machine tool operators identify and overcome most in-cycle problems quickly, so they can make more parts.
Deciding what type of power plant (resonator) will go into your laser machine must be a decision based upon the materials you will be processing and the style of resonator that offers the best performance and the lowest total cost of operation. Al Bohlen of Trumpf explores some specific considerations to think about.
National Optonics is saving time and money, thanks to an economical casting process. A part that was, until recently, made up of four individually machined pieces is now being produced as a single, economical casting by contract manufacturer Graphicast that is more rigid and more stable than the old four-part assembly.
Single Head Strategies: Fabricators are turning to the higher automation in advanced laser systems to expand and diversify the services they offer to penetrate new market segments, eliminate secondary operations and reduce process cycle times, and cut their operating expenses to increase profitability. Here is a snapshot of some of the equipment and suppliers they are using.
Regis Geisler of Lincoln Electric explores some real-world considerations and practices to improve quality and productivity during the welding of two-sided butt joints that are frequently used in pressure vessels and wind tower construction.
Given that labor typically accounts for 60 percent to 85 percent of the total cost of any welding operation, fabricators stand to reap significant benefits by better understanding and controlling those costs. However, that’s often easier said than done. Nick Peterson of Miller Electric explores some practical ways to do it.
Increasing emphasis on environmental issues and safety has led the welding industry to reconsider how certain tasks are performed. Gouging and cutting metal are primary operations that have come under scrutiny. Robert Fernicola of ESAB Welding & Cutting Products compares carbon-arc vs. plasma gouging for various applications.
Keith Werkley of Weldcraft explains why educating yourself as to the proper procedures for both air- and water-cooled types of TIG torches can go a long way in preventing problems and ensuring quality welds.
In the decision-making process on how best to return a failed spindle into service, Ed Zitney of SKF Services answers four frequently asked questions that are applicable to any operation considering spindle remanufacture.
Minimizing friction is the prime target for many lubricant applications. But this primer from Mobil Industrial Lubricants explains why that is simply not good enough in machine tool slideways, and how smooth and precise slideway operation require special attention to the friction properties of the lubricant.
A powerful and compact RSM rod-style screw actuator from Tolomatic is modified to more accurately position a heavy coolant head and improve productivity on a Phoenix II 275G gear grinding machine from Gleason.
Proactive Prevention: In Part Three of his back-to-basics series on worker safety, Phil La Duke of Rockford Greene examines a safety philosophy based upon engineering injuries out of a process during the design stage when it is far less costly.
Will You Survive the ‘Daily Grind’? How familiar are you with abrasive wheel grinders and their safe operation? Take this quiz from MANCOMM and find out.
Instead of a knee-jerk reaction to lighten the cut and increase the passes to ‘take a load off the insert’ when facing an insert rupture when running Inconel, Scot Forge went to a stronger Hex-Turn insert with a gentle lead angle from Ingersoll Cutting Tools to make fewer, deeper passes.
Todd Cuffaro is a former driver of race cars and now, as president of Miller Machine Works, he is driving his company to finish first in a number of areas, mainly performance on complex parts, quality, turnaround time, and sales.
Atomic level changes in coating and substrate development have caused revolutionary results in the grade performance of cutting tool inserts. Here’s how the unique Duratomic CVD coating methodology from Seco Tools has changed the expectations of insert grade performance in a variety of applications.
By using a feature-based programming system from Delcam plc, metrology specialist Renishaw shortened their overall development cycle and gained more freedom to experiment with novel ideas that can be investigated more quickly and convert prototype quantities to full-scale production.
Denis Zayia of Renishaw explains how five-axis CMM inspection brirevongs the same efficiency to part measurement as five-axis contouring has brought to metal cutting by dramatically improving throughput, opening up lean efficiencies, and documenting parts to ever-tighter tolerances. Retrofits of such systems allow manufacturers to realize greater value and productivity from their CMM investment.
