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Workholding

Bar Feeder Designed with Swiss-Types in Mind

By: Derek Korn

New technology enables this bar feeder to fully support the bar pusher and stock from inside the unit all the way to the spindle of a sliding headstock lathe.
#techbrief

Important Machining Factors of Carbon Steels

By: Miles Free

Learn the factors that contribute to carbon steels and their machinability as well as the 1214 steels, 1215 steels and 1018 steels, other grades, and more.  
#basics

Machines

Should You Bring Tool Regrinding In-House?

By: Lucas Hale

In some situations, the potentially high investment in an in-house tool grinding process can be justified with a relatively fast ROI. (Includes video.)

Industries

German Project Yields Three New Medical Machining Processes

By: Derek Korn

Recent research has resulted in a new mix of high-speed turn whirl milling, polygon turning and rotational turning for manufacturing medical bone screws and out-of-round nails.
#techbrief

Career Transitions, Loyalty and Major League Baseball

By: Matthew Kirchner

Never bite the hand that feeds you.
#columns

Measurement

Addressing Machining’s Necessary Evil

By: Derek Korn

Many view quality control as such, but integrating new measurement technologies and approaches can ultimately minimize QC’s impact on throughput and a company’s bottom line.
#columns

PM’s Top 10 Articles of 2023

By: Derek Korn

This batch of Production Machining articles that got the most clicks in 2023 cover a range of topics, technology and new ideas.

Transfer Machines

CNC Rotary Transfer Machine Features Ballscrew Electromechanical Tooling Units

By: Derek Korn

A CNC rotary transfer machine, a newly developed machine platform, is said to offer high rigidity, flexibility and accuracy for a range of high-volume, precision-machining applications.
#techbrief

Cutting Tools

Reaming as an Alternative to Single-Point Boring

Edited by Derek Korn

Using slip yokes as an example, reaming through holes can be more efficient and effective than single-point boring operations.
#techbrief

Shop Management Software

10 Ways AI Might Impact Manufacturers

By: John Davis

Artificial intelligence offers the promise of assisting decision-making processes and boost overall manufacturing efficiency.
#columns

CAD/CAM

Precision Machining Technology Review: December 2023

Edited by Chris Pasion

Production Machining’s December 2023 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Sandvik Coromant, Nikon Metrology, The L.S. Starrett Co., Walter USA, Kennametal and SolidCAM.

Roles of Women in Manufacturing: What I Learned

By: Carli Kistler-Miller

Over 20 women were featured in the Roles of Women in Manufacturing series, which started in January 2023.
#pmpa

Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining November 2023

By: Jan Schafer

Precision Machining activity has contracted at about the same rate for three months straight.

Machining Unleaded Materials — Reliability is Possible

By: Miles Free

Leaded steel is no longer produced in the United States. How do shops approach unleaded brass and steel machining?
#pmpa

Production Machining's December 2023 News Highlights

Edited by Chris Pasion

Production Machining’s December 2023 news highlights include new partnerships, mergers, grand openings and more.

CAD/CAM

How to Start a Swiss Machining Department From Scratch

Contributed by Brent Donaldson

When Shamrock Precision needed to cut production time of its bread-and-butter parts in half, it turned to a new type of machine tool and a new CAD/CAM system. Here’s how the company succeeded despite the newness of it all.

The Case for Higher-Performing Metalworking Fluids

By: Ryan Gates

Machine shops have the opportunity to enhance their profitability by choosing the proper metalworking fluids for each machining application.
#techbrief #metalworkingfluids

Automation & Robots

An Automation Comeback Story

By: Derek Korn

Alexandria Industries struggled with its first robotic machining cell. However, the aluminum extrusion components manufacturer — now with more than 20 robots — discovered that by simplifying and standardizing its automation strategy, it could reap the benefits of unattended machining even for relatively low batch sizes.

Turn-Mills

A German Machine Tool Builder’s “Second Push” Into the U.S. Market

By: Derek Korn

Spinner recently has taken strides to boost its presence, service and support in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico for its multifunction CNC lathes and milling machines.  
#columns

Tooling

The Value of Tool Monitoring on Rotary Transfer Machines

By: Lori Beckman

By using a tool monitoring system, shops can save costs associated with machine maintenance and downtime for tool changes while increasing cutting performance.
#Industry40 #techbrief