In Lights-Out Machining, Part Loading Is Not the Problem — Here is How This Shop Handles Unloading
Correct unloading of the parts affects part quality as well as the capacity of the unattended machining system. Here is more of the experience from our “168” shop.

Running Unattended at Night Lets Machine Shop Serve New Customers During Day
Precision Tool Technologies found capacity for diversification not by adding machines, people or space, but by freeing up time. Running unattended—running so it can machine through all 168 hours in the week—has enabled this shop to use hours when staff is present to deliver work that lands outside its established specialty. To achieve unattended machining, some of the biggest challenges have related to basic details such as chips and coolant.

Machining Demonstration Shows the Digital-Twin Concept in Action
A demonstration at IMTS 2018 showed that all of the pieces to meet the “Grand Challenge” are now in place, making so-called digital-twin manufacturing feasible for shops looking to streamline production of complex workpieces.

AAT, DMG MORI Co-Develop On-Machine Measurement Software
The product, CappsNC, is described as providing the capability to quickly develop measurement programs off-line and run them on CNC machine tools in a similar way to a CMM.

Small Shop Sees Big Gains from Right-Sized Automation
A three-person German machine shop applies quick-change workholding and flexible robotic automation to succeed in a high-mix/low-volume production environment.

Fixturing for Five-Axis CNCs
For some high-batch-size jobs and/or very complex parts, custom fixtures designed and manufactured in house enable Powill Manufacturing and Engineering to get the most out of its five-axis machining capability.

News of Note: December 2018
ORNL appoints new leadership, Ingersoll remains with current owners, DMG MORI expands and other industry news. 

Three Expectations for Robotic Automation
Shops take some modern robot capabilities as given, but a recent trade show in Japan demonstrated ways those capabilities continue to improve.

DMG MORI Expands, Modernizes Polish Plant
The plant is among DMG MORI’s oldest and largest. It is said that the modernization was necessary, given the machine tool demands of recent years. 

XXL Machines Shine in New, Modern Design
DMG MORI’s two XXL machines, the DMU 200 gantry and DMU 340 gantry, are pulling the crowds at its booth, not just due to their large size and five-axis simultaneous machining capabilities, but also because of the new stealth design.

DMG MORI to Relocate U.S. Headquarters to Chicago’s South Side
The move aims to address the coming need for engineering talent. Locating close to the Illinois Institute of Technology will provide access to students and expose those students to manufacturing technology.

July 2018 Product Spotlight: Grinding
This month’s Modern Equipment Review Spotlight focuses on various grinding machines and equipment for all sorts of applications. 

Mobile Robotic Systems Automate Turning Machines
IMTS 2018: DMG MORI will be displaying a range of automation products, including the second-generation Robo2Go mobile robotic automation system for turning machines.

Control Interface Focuses on Digital Workflows
IMTS 2018: The Celos control and user interface from DMG MORI creates a consistent ecosystem for digital production, according to the company.

Selective Laser Melting System Improves Efficiency, Powder Handling
IMTS 2018: DMG MORI’s Lasertec 30 SLM selective laser melting system enables the use of different powder materials, while an intelligent powder module concept speeds up changes of material. 

Space-Saving Five-Axis Machine Cuts Large Parts
IMTS 2018: DMG MORI’s two XXL machines, the DMU 200 gantry and DMU 340 gantry, are designed for large-part applications.

DMG MORI to Host Innovation Days in Chicago
The event will showcase dozens of machine tools performing live demonstrations, including several U.S. and world premieres. 

Machine Monitoring Enhances Human Resource Functions
Decisions about manufacturing processes are not the only business factors that can be improved by the insights derived from data collected by a machine-monitoring system. For this shop, using this information to strengthen and fine-tune its employee incentive program is a significant benefit, among many others.