April 2009 Issue

April 2009

Rigidity Required When Grinding Challenging Materials

Effective centerless grinding of hard materials requires a machine that is capable of damping process vibration at high wheel speeds and providing the rigidity to withstand very high cutting forces.

Features

Featured articles from the April 2009 issue of Modern Machine Shop

Shop Management Software 10 Mar 2009

The Case For Integrated Control Of Machining Operations

An integrated software system automates a decision-making process that helps a machinist inspect parts on a timely basis, offset or change tools and appeal to engineers for improvement of process design.

11 Mar 2009

Spindle Repair Simplified

This machine tool manufacturer's modular spindle design allows spindle repairs due to impact or contamination to be performed quick and easy.

Workforce Development 13 Mar 2009

Getting Credit Where Credit Is Due

Although current economic climate is by no means conducive to securing a lease or loan for a new machine or other equipment, shops with the right plan in place can still obtain the financing they need. One expert offers some advice for manufacturers seeking to obtain equipment financing amid the downturn.

4 Mar 2009

Multitasking with Enhanced Lathe Features

GibbsCAM MTM (multitask machining) now includes lathe features that are said to provide more efficiency through tool control and take advantage of newer high-tech cutting tools that turn harder materials and machine smoother surfaces.

5 Mar 2009

Seven-Axis CNC Screw Machine

The UltraTurn XL seven-axis CNC screw machine with tool slides is designed for heavy forming operations for maximum metal-removal rates, the company says. The company also offers a variable-speed servodrive for live turret tooling that is only compatible with the UltraTurn. This drive will also power a live subspindle, providing two-axis ID and OD backworking capabilities.

31 Mar 2009

Machine Tool Installations Grew Last Year

Survey: Once Again, China Dominates World Consumption

Automation 16 Mar 2009

Probing Beyond Prismatic

This manufacturer has used on-machine probing to help automate setups and maintain process control for prismatic parts produced on VMCs for years. The metrology products maker recently implemented probing strategies that let it achieve similar results on its turn-mills and Swiss-types. The smaller, more economical batch sizes these machines now produce are better aligned with true production requirements.

4 Mar 2009

ERP Tool for Manufacturers Facilitates Self-Customization

Global Application Builder (GAB), a programming tool that allows users to modify its ERP system to suit their specific needs, follows significant and successful customer field-testing of GAB in a variety of applications. The tool is a rapid application development language built from the ground up to integrate with the company’s One-System ERP tools. The tool allows both front-end and business logic customizations without impact to the core system.

Turning Machines 10 Mar 2009

Taking CNC To The Next Level On A Multi-Spindle

A new generation of multi-spindle automatic lathes from the Czech Republic may change the thinking about the best way to produce complex parts in small to medium volumes. An innovative drive system on these machines enables users to optimize spindle speeds for specific machining operations.