April 2005 Issue

April 2005

A Simpler Way To Automatically Load Grinding Machines

Custom automatic loading systems for grinding machines often lack the flexibility to allow quick job change-overs. These off-the-shelf loading systems were designed with intuitive set up in mind.

Features

Featured articles from the April 2005 issue of Modern Machine Shop

Basics 29 Mar 2005

Different Directions In Machining Center Motion

Some machining centers have begun to appear that use resultant motion in less elaborate ways. That is, these machines use the resultant motion of different elements moving in different directions to achieve the motion along X, Y or Z, but they do so within machining center designs that are considerably more like standard machines.

Workforce Development 25 Apr 2005

The ROI For Manufacturing Training

From the viewpoint of the individual, the employer or the country as a whole, training in manufacturing skills is a good investment.

12 Apr 2005

Beyond Low Bidding

This online marketplace seeks to communicate information instead of brokering transactions. Because the site doesn't use an auction model, low bidders tend not to get the work.

Automation 22 Apr 2005

Overall Equipment Effectiveness: The Formula For Finding Your Plant’s Hidden Potential

A metric that captures availability, performance and quality highlights the many places where today's automation makes sense. (Sponsored Content)

Workholding 11 Apr 2005

Magnetic Holding Pattern

In finding a way to allow magnetic milling chucks to hold parts that typically aren’t secured by the "invisible" workholding method, this shop happened upon a means to repeatedly position parts in any of its machine tools.

Automation 1 May 2005

The New Automation Calculation

This Sponsored Online Presentation features a collection of articles and links to other online resources aims to empower the modern machining professional with what is needed to compete more effectively through automation, process technologies, and lean manufacturing principles. (Sponsored Content)

12 Apr 2005

The Off-The-Shelf Alternative

This job shop sees standard products, developed internally, accounting for a growing share of the shop’s business. The latest standard product may be the “big gun” in more ways than one.

CNC & Machine Controls 22 Apr 2005

Release The Potential Of Your Machine Tool

Probing can improve OEE in many different ways throughout the machining cycle. (Sponsored Content)

Automation 22 Apr 2005

Move Parts - Don't Move Production

Robotic automation can make manufacturing in North America the most profitable choice. (Sponsored Content)

7 Apr 2005

A Manager's Guide to Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Under current economic conditions, severe global competition and postponement of new equipment purchases are causing business executives to be sensitive about all aspects of manufacturing operational costs. In this environment, it pays to consider both creative and proven methods that manufacturers can use to bring their product to market at minimum cost. 'Overall Equipment Effectiveness' (OEE) is a method that meets this objective. (Sponsored Content)

Workholding 8 Apr 2005

Unplug-And-Play Hydraulic Workholding

An OEM and contract shop have found value in an unconventional, untethered hydraulic workholding method that uses mechanical energy transfer to charge a fixture's sealed hydraulic circuit. Free and easy HMC pallet movement is the result.

25 Apr 2005

Alternate Gripping Methods For Grinding Machines

Are you using your grinding machine to its full job capacity? Machine operators don't often think past centers, arbors, fixtures and magnetic chucks. Many shops are still doing second operation work when they could be set up to finish parts complete with an alternate workholding method. Here are several suggestions for additional or improved gripping solutions.