#BASICS

Metalworking Fluid Management and Best Practices

Cutting metal is a complex process involving many critical factors to be successful. Correctly applied metalworking fluids, including oils or coolant, is one of these critical factors.

Important Machining Factors of Carbon Steels

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.

Machining Centers & Milling Machines

Understanding Micro-Milling Machine Technology

Micro-milling can be a companion process to turning-based production machining. This article looks at some of the technologies that go into a micro-milling machine and why they are important to successful operation.

Automation & Robots

Pursuit of Parts Collector Spearheads New Enterprise

While searching for a small parts accumulator for Swiss-type lathes, this machine shop CEO not only found what he was looking for but also discovered how to become a distributor for the unique product.

Micro-Drilling: 9 Questions to Answer Before Beginning

Applications for micromachining continue to grow. Successful machining with small tools calls for a different set of process skills on the shop floor.

Swiss-Types

6 Tips for Training on a Swiss-Type Lathe

There are nuances to training a person to effectively operate a Swiss-type lathe. A shop I visited a while back offers some suggestions.

Parts Cleaning

Alconox Updates Aqueous Cleaning Handbook

The Aqueous Cleaning Handbook is a critical cleaning resource which distills and presents practical information covering the history of aqueous detergents — what they are, how they work and how to make best use of them.

Applying a Healthy Approach to Employee Investment

Service Center Metals’ on-site health center offers its employees and their families free same-day health care and, in return, the employer is gaining many benefits including a healthier workforce and attracting potential employees.

Why Are We Writing About a Shop Making Custom Baseball Bats?

I recently learned about a 153-year-old manufacturer that has produced billions upon billions of precision, metal pins which started another business making one-off wooden baseball bats. (Like I asked it to do for me and you’ll see at this year’s Precision Machining Technology Show). Here I explain why it’s worth the time to read that article.

Horizontal & Vertical Lathes

Video: Why a Production Machine Shop Started a Baseball Bat Company

A 153-year-old manufacturer of precision, metal pins recently started a side business creating custom wooden baseball bats. The reasoning behind establishing this new company is intriguing, as is how it has helped create a stronger bond with the local community.

Get to Know the PMPA at PMTS 2023

The Precision Machining Technology Show provides the chance to see what membership in the Precision Machined Products Association offers at the association’s co-located National Technical Conference.

Automation & Robots

Tips for Troubleshooting and Repairing Chip Conveyors

A nonfunctioning chip conveyor can cause a high-production machine to be down for an extended period of time. Here is some troubleshooting advice if you’re having issues with your chip conveyors.

Cutting Tools

CNC Turning Tips for HRSA Materials

Rough-turning, heat-resistant superalloys can be challenging. However, new carbide insert technology provides the capability to perform high-speed, high-feed roughing in a single pass.

Parts Cleaning

Corrosion Prevention: How to Avoid the Enemy of Metal Parts

This chemical reaction that is a constant, indiscriminate and costly enemy of metal parts is preventable, but intentional measures must be taken and become an essential process within a company’s walls.

5 Ideas for Continuous Improvement

These suggestions for manufacturing process improvements are based on Kaizen ideas that call for never-ending improvement from the entire organization.

Parts Cleaning

Tips for Cleaning Oily Parts

Degreasers are the best option for cleaning parts machined with oil. Vacuum degreasers are recommended for cleaning complex parts.

Reducing Variation: The Only Way to Reduce Production Cost

Hidden variation in production is what increases costs in manufacturing. Here are four tips for reducing variability.

7 Causes of Quench Cracking in Steel

Failures of steel parts in service or production occur infrequently. However, when steel parts fail, the consequences are dire. Here are seven ways that steel can fail as a result of quench cracking from heat treatment.

4 Tips for Building an Effective Machining Apprenticeship Program

Developing the right apprenticeship program can be one of the best things a machine shop can do for itself and for the future of manufacturing. Here are key “do’s” and “don’ts” to follow.

Automation & Robots

Robot Readiness: Taking Initial Steps Toward Integration

Not confident enough about automating a process yet in your machine shop? These considerations will help you better understand the path to robot adoption.

Grinding

5 Grinding Considerations for Improving Surface Finish

Improving surface finish can be done by making adjustments to one or more of these points: operational parameters, wheel dressing, grit size, coolant delivery and machine condition.

Measurement

The Difference Between Ra and Rz

While it is best to measure using the parameter specified in the print, there are rules of thumb available that can help clear up the confusion and convert Ra to Rz or Rz to Ra.

13 Tips for the Perfect Trade Show Booth

Here are some tips to step up your game at your next trade show.

Medical

Vision Metrology for Medical

Understanding best practices and the options available with vision measurement systems is particularly important when inspecting complex medical components having stringent traceability requirements.

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