February 2001 Issue

February 2001

EDMing Beryllium Copper: An Introduction

Beryllium copper offers many benefts to the moldmaker and plastic injection molder, yet questions remain on how to best EDM it, which alloy to specify, where to use it, and is it safe to work with?

Features

Featured articles from the February 2001 issue of Modern Machine Shop

Machining Centers 15 Feb 2001

Automating Multiple Face Machining

Although multiple face machining in a single setup is possible with four-axis machines, these machines only meet the positioning requirements for a small range of parts. To have the capability for programming multi-plane machining-and to machine this type of part in a single setup-a five-axis machine is necessary.

5 Feb 2001

What Good Is A Parallelogram?

Do you remember learning the names of weird shapes in elementary school and then later in geometry? There were isosceles triangles, parallelograms and dodecahedrons. What good would come of all this bizarre knowledge in “real life?” Well, it turns out that at least one of these shapes is very important to those of us who lay out gaging setups or select precision measurement tools.

EDM 15 Feb 2001

Cryogenic Treatment Enhances Stability For Wire EDM Operation

In the world of Wire EDM professionals, the mission is very similar to NASA's, in minimizing scrap rate and in maximizing quality (i.e. meeting customer specifications). That is the challenge to each Wire EDM operator and tool designer.

Turn/Mill 15 Feb 2001

Small Shop, Mighty Machines

Multitasking machines capable of completely machining complex, milled and turned parts in a single setup are powering this Chicago-area job shop's growth.

Milling Tools 15 Feb 2001

Tools For Milling In Z

The fastest way to mill away a lot of material may be to attack it head on with a move in the Z direction.

Automotive 15 Feb 2001

Linear Motors Shorten Production Time

Linear motors account for part of the reason why DaimlerChrysler's Stuttgart, Germany, manufacturing facility has been able to nearly double the productivity of machining centers producing automotive cylinder heads.

EDM 15 Feb 2001

Reaching New Depths And Greater Accuracy

Just when you thought high speed machining or hard milling would steal the best applications from ram-type electrical discharge machines, linear motor technology is taking "sinker EDM" to levels unattainable with any other metal removal process.

CAD/CAM 15 Feb 2001

Sparking Better Designs

By automating repetitive splitting and electrode-design work, an Ohio mold and die shop spurs creativity and expands EDM applications.

15 Feb 2001

Getting A Read On 3D Bar Codes

Bar coding of manufactured parts holds the promise of improved process control and inventory control. However, the familiar gummed paper label (with black bars on a white background) simply could not withstand the coolant spray, cleaning solutions, heat treating and other harsh processes that metal parts routinely undergo.

15 Feb 2001

Making Motors With Non-Sync Lines

Many shops use cellular manufacturing as the basis for their production capability and capacity. Briggs&Stratton used cells to make its small engines until the plant hit a production efficiency wall. The company then turned to non-synchronous transfer lines. Here's how this technology has impacted the plant.