Basics
Obscure CNC Features That Can Help (or Hurt) You
You cannot begin to take advantage of an available feature if you do not know it exists. Conversely, you will not know how to avoid CNC features that may be detrimental to your process.
Mike Lynch
Founder and President, CNC Concepts Inc.
4 Tips for Staying Profitable in the Face of Change
After more than 40 years in business, this shop has learned how to adapt to stay profitable.
Read More6 Variations That Kill Productivity
The act of qualifying CNC programs is largely related to eliminating variations, which can be a daunting task when you consider how many things can change from one time a job is run to the next.
Read MoreHow to Evaluate Measurement Uncertainty
Manufacturing and measurement are closely coupled. An important consideration for the use of measurement results is the associated measurement uncertainty. This article describes common metrology terms and provides an example uncertainty analysis.
Read More6 Machine Shop Essentials to Stay Competitive
If you want to streamline production and be competitive in the industry, you will need far more than a standard three-axis CNC mill or two-axis CNC lathe and a few measuring tools.
Read MoreHow to Choose the Correct Fixed-Body Plug Gaging Solution
The two types of fixed-body plug gages are both accurate, fast and easy to use. Consider these factors when selecting one for your gaging application.
Read MoreRethink Quality Control to Increase Productivity, Decrease Scrap
Verifying parts is essential to documenting quality, and there are a few best practices that can make the quality control process more efficient.
Read MoreCustom Workholding Principles to Live By
Workholding solutions can take on infinite forms and all would be correct to some degree. Follow these tips to help optimize custom workholding solutions.
Read MoreTips for Investing Intelligently When Upgrading a Shop on a Budget
Working on a tight budget is not easy, but these tips can help you make the most of your free capital.
Read MoreHow to Calibrate Gages and Certify Calibration Programs
Tips for establishing and maintaining a regular gage calibration program.
Read MoreSelecting a Thread Mill That Matches Your Needs
Threading tools with the flexibility to thread a broad variety of holes provide the agility many shops need to stay competitive. They may be the only solution for many difficult materials.
Read More4 Steps to a Cobot Culture: How Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Has Answered Staffing Shortages With Economical Automation
Safe, economical automation using collaborative robots can transform a manufacturing facility and overcome staffing shortfalls, but it takes additional investment and a systemized approach to automation in order to realize this change.
Read MoreWhat are Harmonics in Milling?
Milling-force harmonics always exist. Understanding the source of milling harmonics and their relationship to vibration can help improve parameter selection.
Read MoreHow to Pass the Job Interview as an Employer
Job interviews are a two-way street. Follow these tips to make a good impression on your potential future workforce.
Read MoreHow to Optimize Operator Efficiency on Any Shop Floor
Striking the perfect balance of person to machine is unique to each shop and can depend on a number of factors, including the type of work a shop undertakes, the available equipment, staffing levels, scheduling and more.
Read MoreHow to Choose the Correct Measuring Tool for Any Application
There are many options to choose from when deciding on a dimensional measurement tool. Consider these application-based factors when selecting a measurement solution.
Read MoreGo Digital: How to Succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution With Additive Manufacturing
The digitalization of manufacturing is set to transform production and global supply chains as we know them, and additive manufacturing has been leading the way in many industries.
Read MoreSpeeding Up Splines
Moving small- to medium-batch production from outsourced, dedicated hobbing operations to in-house, CNC multitasking machines helps job shops achieve quick turnarounds and flexibility in supplying splines for the heavy-vehicle industry. Inserted disc cutters make this transition possible.
Read More4 Ways 3D Printing Is Changing Medical Implants
Additive manufacturing provides new ways of making medical implants, but its impact is greater than this. How 3D printing is changing medical manufacturing and improving patient outcomes.
Read MoreMade in the USA - Season 1 Episode 2: The Automation Puzzle
There is a fundamental question we need to answer when we talk about automation: To what extent is automation an answer to the skilled workforce shortage, and to what extent is automation vs. Skilled labor the wrong comparison to make in the first place?
Read More10 Things to Know About Creep-Feed Grinding
Because of the high material removal rate creep-feed grinding can deliver in challenging materials, grinding might not be just the last step in the process—it might be the process.
Read More7 CNC Parameters You Should Know
Parameters tell the CNC every little detail about the specific machine tool being used, and how all CNC features and functions are to be utilized.
Read MoreHow to Start a Swiss Machining Department From Scratch
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 CAM system. Here’s how the company succeeded, despite the newness of it all.
Read More8 Ways to Increase Productivity on the Manufacturing Floor
When it comes to machine shop productivity, continuous improvement depends on efficient employees, equipment and processes.
Read MoreSpace-saving Right-angle Solution for High-power Applications
New MIXO connector modules are designed to minimize space installation requirements.
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