Take a look inside James Engineering, a high-end CNC Deburring OEM that became a job shop when they decided to produce their own parts in-house.

In the latest episode of our View From My Shop series, MMS Editor-in-Chief Brent Donaldson visited the JN Shapiro Watches headquarters and production facility where Founder Joshua Shapiro—a history teacher turned watchmaker—realized his dream of "making a watch from scratch and everything in it."

When it comes to utilizing the spindle’s power, there is a lot of headroom at the upper limits, provided it’s in short bursts. Be mindful of your time at these loads so you don’t stall out.

Horn USA’s new booth concept is designed to enable attendees to (literally) get a better feel for its various tooling offerings.

Weldon Solutions is demonstrating three grinders at IMTS 2024. Though they differ in size and use case, all feature the company’s hallmark customizations.

The choice between buying a new machine or refurbishing the current one will become clear after a thorough assessment of the machine.

Part of Major Tool’s 52,000 square-foot building expansion includes the installation of this new Waldrich Coburg Taurus 30 vertical machining center.

The Cut F 600 wire EDM features machining enhancements and functions to automatically identify and adapt wire speed during the wire EDM process.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.

Tool-holder-spindle-machine combinations each have a unique dynamic response in the same way that each person has a unique fingerprint, which can be revealed using modal testing.

Automation is no longer a luxury in manufacturing today – it’s a necessity. The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect job shops with experts who offer advice and considerations for this process.

Job shops are implementing automation and digitalization into workflows to eliminate set up time and increase repeatability in production.

But speed was only part of the test. How did the inserts perform in their wear properties and the ability to maintain good surface finish over time? As for wear, the inserts were measured at regular intervals with nose wear plotted versus both distance machined and time in the cut. Three of the inserts performed similarly well in wear resistance while the uncoated cermet started to exhibit high wear at about 2.5 miles into the cut. The wear vs. time plot looks very similar, though by that measure, total time varied relative to each insert’s cycle time. See details on wear vs. distance and time.

Features that save on training, programming and cycle times have enabled Speedway Motors to rapidly grow and mature its manufacturing arm.

Manufacturers continue to feel the pressure to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and meet their sustainability strategies. As the industry evolves to keep pace with these priorities, there are opportunities within metalworking processes to use less resources with advanced lubricants and technical expertise. Agenda:  An overview of metalworking lubrication Evolutions in metalworking lubrication Experience on the shop floor Key takeaways

Differential gaging measures using two devices, which has advantages over standard, comparative measurements using a single sensing head. These include the ability to measure size without regard to position.

JD Machine, 2024’s Top Shops Honoree in Human Resources, embodies its “Education for Life” core value with a robust apprenticeship program and significant continuous improvement efforts.

Lee Wimmer invited us to tour his second-generation family-owned machine shop in Perkasie, PA. This video explores the production processes behind precision-machined parts for both Wimmer Custom Cycle and LS Wimmer Machine Co., and shows how ingenuity and determination are still at the heart of American manufacturing. Today, both companies are now managed by Wimmer’s three sons.

Zoller’s open house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, provided attendees with a glimpse of the connectivity and efficiency the company’s products offer to users.

Naturally, the inserts that run at higher speeds made it through the material faster than those run at slower speeds. As you can see from the chart below, Kyocera’s CCX CVD-coated cermet delivered shorter cycle times due to its ability to run at much higher cutting speeds than conventional cermet and carbide inserts.

The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will give shops of all sizes and production volumes key insights and practical guidance on how to implement automation.

Are AMRs the next big trend in job shop automation? System 3R’s IMTS booth will emphasize both its specialty EDM tooling and its automation products, including an autonomous moving robot.

Q-Mark has built its metrology business by providing what customers need, when they want it. This goes for its IMTS booth, too, with free drinks alongside custom technology.

AccuRounds has created synergy between culture and technology, driving a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

Surface finish vs. distance was also plotted to see how well the inserts held up. There is no benefit to run at higher speeds if the tool life is unstable or too short. Kyocera’s PV710 cermet grade with its super smooth MEGACOAT NANO PVD coating provided the best surface finish and maintained the highest degree of consistency throughout the test, though at a slower cutting speed. Here too, the uncoated insert showed the most rapid decline due to its wear rate, and carbide was not able to achieve the levels of surface finish generated by the cermets.

Each tool setting technique has merit, and it depends on where you are as a shop and the type of work you do, as cost and efficiency all come into play.

Though most frequently used for diameter measurements, an air plug and platen can be readily configured to measure perpendicularity.

From quadruped robot dogs, to an in-booth putting green where you can test out a new golf putter, to a 3D-printed car and more, attendees enjoyed cutting-edge technology and innovations all week long. Take a look to see what (or who!) you might have missed this week!

The L.S. Starrett Co. has been manufacturing precision measurement tools in Athol, Massachusetts, since 1880. Attention to U.S. manufacturing often focuses on reshoring manufacturing from other countries, but Starrett never left. The facility in Athol employs hundreds and produces thousands of tools that remain vital for measurement in machining and other fields.

Did you know that the show was postponed for WWII? Or that McCormick Place was expanded in the ’70s just to accommodate IMTS? A fascinating look at the show’s history from 1927 to today.

Ever wonder what sets Top Shops apart from the competition? Dive into their award-winning practices and explore behind-the-scenes strategies for operational excellence.

Weldon Solutions is demonstrating three grinders at IMTS 2024. Though they differ in size and use case, all feature the company’s hallmark customizations.

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Learn more about the variety of technology and machinery Hwacheon Machinery America, Inc. is featuring at its IMTS 2024 booth.

There has been tremendous progress made in recent years on ways to make roughing operations more efficient. But what about finishing? Long cycle times may be necessary to generate high-quality surface finishes, and frequent insert changes are often required, further increasing tooling costs and non-machining time. As the materials get more difficult, the issue grows larger.

These PVD-coated and uncoated inserts are both part of Kyocera’s Hybrid Cermet line for high-quality surface finish machining that spans a range of general purpose and high-speed, continuous finishing applications. The Hybrid Technology combines conventional and high-melting point bonding processes to make inserts with improved fracture and wear resistance while providing excellent surface finishes.

AccuRounds has created synergy between culture and technology, driving a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

New U.S.-based event announced in 2021 finally debuts next year: focuses on complete additive manufacturing value chain. More at formnextchicago.com.

The company has enhanced its 52/96 zero-point workholding system with a new vise, collets machinable hard jaws and more.

Standards for surface finishes and profiles are not static; they change as technology changes or new processes come along that need to be considered.

Entrepreneur Scott Colosimo found early success in China producing parts for his Cleveland-based motorcycle company in the mid-2000s. This is the story of how IP theft issues overwhelmed the business, prompting Colosimo and his team to start over from scratch — and move production back to the United States.

Ever wonder what sets Top Shops apart from the competition? Dive into their award-winning practices and explore behind-the-scenes strategies for operational excellence.

Chiron Group combines the best of both worlds at IMTS 2024, featuring live demonstrations of their Micro5 and Mill 2000 machines, alongside a cutting-edge virtual showroom. This innovative approach allows visitors to explore Chiron’s full product lineup without the logistical challenges of transporting large equipment.

So far, Made in the USA has looked into system-wide effects of broken supply chains, automation, skilled workforce issues and our perception of manufacturing jobs — examining each topic through a prism of individual experiences. For this final episode for Season 1, let’s look at one more system-wide question and bring it back to personal perspectives: Is there today a new dawn, a new moment for American manufacturing?

As shown, the cermet inserts can generally run at higher speeds than carbide, but the CCX CVD-coated cermet delivered the lowest cycle time (26.79 minutes) by a substantial margin.

Attend TASC, The Automated Shop Conference, in Novi, Mich on Oct. 11, 2023 for a comprehensive look into how to use automation to transform your machine shop.

Take a look inside James Engineering, a high-end CNC Deburring OEM that became a job shop when they decided to produce their own parts in-house.

Modern Machine Shop is the leading publication and media brand in North America devoted to CNC machining. MMS combines unprecedented editorial access to manufacturing facilities with decades of experience to provide long-form content that is both insightful and impactful. About Us

Grant funding for workforce training or the purchase of new equipment is an undervalued but complex resource for machine shops. We enlisted an expert to help navigate the process.

When Puneet and Neelam Neotia moved from India to the United States several years ago, they brought with them a family background in manufacturing and CNC machining. Now the couple is working to get their startup machine shop off the ground, sourcing new customers and getting the word out about their shop in Clarksville, Indiana. The couple — proud to publicize their "Made in the USA" parts — is leveraging family connections and manufacturing capabilities back in India, but not in the way that some people assume.

Tool-holder-spindle-machine combinations each have a unique dynamic response in the same way that each person has a unique fingerprint, which can be revealed using modal testing.

User-friendly inspection software for CNC machining centers is shown monitoring measurements between and after machining while performing SPC based on recorded measurement values.

Each tool setting technique has merit, and it depends on where you are as a shop and the type of work you do, as cost and efficiency all come into play.

Differential gaging measures using two devices, which has advantages over standard, comparative measurements using a single sensing head. These include the ability to measure size without regard to position.

Looking to automate your shop floor? The Automated Shop Conference (TASC) will connect shops with experts who can advise them through this transition.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

The CA515 insert is designed for high-speed continuous to light interrupted cuts. It is part of the CA5 Series line of CVD-coated carbide inserts that offer long tool life and stable machining of steel across a range of applications including high speeds, continuous to light interrupted cuts, heavy interrupted cuts, high feed rates, and general purpose machining.

In the latest episode of our View From My Shop series, MMS Editor-in-Chief Brent Donaldson visited the JN Shapiro Watches headquarters and production facility where Founder Joshua Shapiro—a history teacher turned watchmaker—realized his dream of "making a watch from scratch and everything in it."

This newly developed CVD-coated cermet grade for finishing increases productivity with high-speed machining applications and provides excellent wear resistance for low carbon steel, general steel, and cast iron.

Heidenhain and Acu-Rite Solutions are offering several hands-on experiences at their booth this year, as well as internal components that reduce energy use.

FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.

All insert grades were tested at the same depth of cut and feed rate. Cutting speeds were set at the maximum recommended speed for finishing the 1045 steel used in the comparison. The test was set so that each insert removed the same amount of material from the workpiece. All tools performed 100 passes at 0.5mm (0.020") depth of cut, and 0.1 mm/rev (0.004 ipr) feed.

Heidenhain and Acu-Rite Solutions are offering several hands-on experiences at their booth this year, as well as internal components that reduce energy use.

For roughing applications, shops can run at higher cutting speeds, larger depths of cut or higher feed rates to maximize the metal removal rate and shorten cycle times. However, in single-pass finishing operations, the depth of cut is usually fixed so that only cutting speed and feed can be addressed. Additionally, most workpieces have some surface finish specified that limits the maximum feed rate. On straight cuts, we can consider wiper inserts, but for profiling or angled cuts wipers are ineffective. In those cases, only an increase in cutting speed will reduce cycle time.

So what’s the best insert for finish turning steel? To help answer that question, well-known cutting tooling manufacturer—Kyocera Precision Tools—ran a series of cutting tests to see which combination of cermet or carbide materials and coatings would provide the best total value in side-by-side comparisons. Here’s what they found out.

Rob Guiao, Chris Hall and Bassanio Peters will demonstrate relatable situations to equip you with data to improve predictability, future-proof operations and maximize ROI. Agenda:  Explore the importance of data in decision-making, especially for facility upgrades or new projects Learn how comprehensive solutions for manufacturing and construction projects can improve predictability and ROI See real demonstrations of machine integrations, facility layouts and automations to ensure proper throughput and integration

CoroMill MS 20 is designed for repeated shoulder milling, face milling, linear and helical ramping, full slotting and plunging applications.

Though this test showed that the CCX CVD-coated cermet insert offered the best overall performance in high speed finishing of steel and the PV710 PVD-coated cermet maintained the best surface finish, it’s important to remember that how any insert performs depends on the application. Here’s a bit more on what each insert in this test is designed for.

Legacy Precision Molds takes us on a tour of their moldbuilding facility. They've recently implemented two automated 5-axis cells for metal and graphite machining that run lights out during nights and weekends.

Finish turning operations can cost more than you think in cycle time and tooling. Here’s some real test data on what insert works best, cermet vs. carbide and coated vs. uncoated.

In this webinar, industry-leading experts will demonstrate how additive manufacturing can revolutionize your operations and answer the question: Can you afford not to? From rapid prototyping to robust fixturing and specialized custom tooling, it’ll showcase the diverse applications that can drive your business forward in a time where cost and time saving can be crucial. Discover how to reduce costs, accelerate production cycles and achieve unparalleled design freedom through the strategic integration of 3D printing technology. Phillip’s panel of seasoned professionals will share real-world examples and practical insights to help you understand the potential of additive manufacturing. Learn how to overcome production challenges, improve product quality and gain a competitive advantage. It will explore the cost-benefit analysis of 3D printing — including material and labor savings — as well as the potential for increased revenue. Join this webinar to discover why additive manufacturing is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for success. Agenda:  Prototyping example: quick-change prototype Custom tooling real-world example: press brake, tube bending die CMM fixturing and workholding example: CMM fixture and soft jaw

As the demand for faster production cycles continues to grow, the ability to produce high-quality parts quickly and efficiently has become increasingly important. High-speed 3D printing has emerged as a key solution to reduce lead times and increase productivity across industries. However, like any advanced technology, it comes with its own set of challenges. In this webinar, Forward AM will explore both the opportunities and hurdles of adopting high-speed printing with a particular focus on overcoming those challenges. It’ll start by discussing the fundamentals of high-speed 3D printing and how it differs from conventional 3D printing methods. It’ll then move on to the key factors that influence successful implementation, including the impact of materials, equipment and design considerations. One of the main hurdles in high-speed 3D printing is ensuring the right balance between speed and part quality. Different materials behave differently under high-speed conditions — and not all equipment is optimized for this process. Forward AM will showcase some validated materials and equipment that are proven to perform well under these conditions. In addition, the presenters will look at real-world examples and applications where high-speed 3D printing has been successfully implemented, highlighting the collaboration between designers, engineers and manufacturers. By the end of this webinar, you'll not only have a clearer understanding of high-speed 3D printing with FFF but also the practical steps and considerations needed to make the most of this cutting-edge technology. Agenda:  Introduction The power of high-speed printing Know the process The practical side

The latest episode “Made in the USA” podcast explores a company that uses collaborative robots, one of the key tools helping US machine shops and other manufacturers compete with lower cost countries by automating production.

Consistency is key for beryllium manufacturing, so the data visibility granted by Harmoni has swiftly become a vital, profitable tool in the shop’s arsenal.

Understanding all the things that contribute to a machine’s full potential accuracy will inform what to prioritize when fine-tuning the machine.

FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.

Legacy Precision Molds takes us on a tour of their moldbuilding facility. They've recently implemented two automated 5-axis cells for metal and graphite machining that run lights out during nights and weekends.

Lee Wimmer invited us to tour his second-generation family-owned machine shop in Perkasie, PA. This video explores the production processes behind precision-machined parts for both Wimmer Custom Cycle and LS Wimmer Machine Co., and shows how ingenuity and determination are still at the heart of American manufacturing. Today, both companies are now managed by Wimmer’s three sons.

Walter USA has acquired PDQ Workholding, intending to strengthen its offering of workholding products and develop future cutting tool sales.

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When revising part designs, investigate the 3D CAD, the 2D drawing and the part’s functional requirements to determine which details should be tightened up.

When it comes to utilizing the spindle’s power, there is a lot of headroom at the upper limits, provided it’s in short bursts. Be mindful of your time at these loads so you don’t stall out.

Incremental mode can be more advantageous when programming sculptured surfaces or for certain hole-machining canned cycle applications.

Effective team collaboration is a critical component of success in today’s manufacturing world. With cloud-based technologies that make it easy for team members to brainstorm and problem solve remotely from various locations, design-to-manufacturing processes can become faster and more efficient. This webinar will demonstrate how fully integrated CAM software can be utilized with 3DExperience SolidWorks in a seamless work environment to accelerate product development. Agenda: See how HCL CAMWorks can be used as an add-in for all SolidWorks applications working with the cloud-based 3DExperience platform Learn how fully integrated CAD/CAM saves significant amounts of time during the design to manufacturing process Gain a new understanding of how software can connect users worldwide to accelerate product development Watch a demonstration of team collaboration using platform tools in the CAD/CAM software environment

Cermet inserts have long been regarded as an excellent option for finishing steel. Chemically inert and thermally stable, the insert is highly resistant to edge buildup and crater wear which improves tool life while providing excellent surface finish. But the question remains about the best coating: CVD, PVD or no coating? For the test, these three versions of cermets were compared along with a CVD-coated carbide insert designed for machining steel.

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In this episode of Made in the USA, several executives and senior staff at Hardinge give their first-person account of how they formulated the plan to shift the manufacturing of its milling and turning product lines from its Taiwan plant to its plant in Elmira, New York, the major challenges they encountered and the rewards that made it worth the effort.

Are AMRs the next big trend in job shop automation? System 3R’s IMTS booth will emphasize both its specialty EDM tooling and its automation products, including an autonomous moving robot.

This presentation focuses on the vital role that linear and angular encoders play in ensuring precision in machine tools. Attendees will learn about the common challenges compromising accuracy, such as thermal expansion, mechanical misalignments and vibration. Whether you're an OEM, integrator, or machine operator, this webinar will offer valuable insights into optimizing CNC performance. Agenda: Challenges to CNC machine accuracy Understanding encoder technology How encoders address accuracy challenges

FANUC’s IMTS 2024 booth includes real-time demonstrations that show the abilities of its equipment, including robots, controllers and machine tools.

The Mill A Groove tool can be used to cut step grooves, convex and concave radius grooves, chamfered edges, angles and special profiles with a single insert.

Working closely with customers and making careful investments has enabled this Wisconsin machine shop to tackle difficult jobs with tight deadlines as a core part of its business.

FABTECH 2024 will be held October 15-17, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, at the Orange County Convention Center. FABTECH provides a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, discover innovative solutions, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. There is no better opportunity to network, share knowledge and explore the latest technology, all here in one place. Future U.S. Show Dates and Locations 2025 – September 8-11 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL 2026 – October 21-23 at Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV 2027 – September 13-16 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL

The ability to achieve and maintain a fine surface finish was the second biggest differentiator among the inserts after cutting speed.

Across a range of technical presentations aimed at small and mid-sized job shops, the first-ever Automated Shop Conference (TASC) offered insights into several automated technologies, implementation strategies, shopfloor training tips, and even the untapped power of automated coolant delivery.

Working closely with customers and making careful investments has enabled this Wisconsin machine shop to tackle difficult jobs with tight deadlines as a core part of its business.

Chiron Group combines the best of both worlds at IMTS 2024, featuring live demonstrations of their Micro5 and Mill 2000 machines, alongside a cutting-edge virtual showroom. This innovative approach allows visitors to explore Chiron’s full product lineup without the logistical challenges of transporting large equipment.