EMUGE-FRANKEN Announces Expanded Line of High Performance End Mills - tungsten carbide endmills

Mitsui Seiki USA Inc. appoints Joseph Farkas as its director of sales West and Terry Ritterbush as its director of sales East.

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.

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.

Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of Canadian Metalworking.

The AMRC testing focused on forged titanium 6Al4V. Three sets of cutting parameters apiece addressed both traditional-milling and high-velocity approaches for the aircraft maker. In each case, the three sets of parameters were designated as “current,” “meets” and “exceeds” expectations. In the traditional rounds, a 0.1-inch radial depth of cut was specified, with cutting speeds ranging from 150, to 200, to 250 sfm for current, meets and exceeds categories, respectively. In the high-velocity testing, depth of cut dropped to 0.02 inch while speeds increased to 400, 450 and 500 sfm, respectively.

Kennametal put considerable work into finding the tooling that would excel in these tests, Mr. Mueller says. The company performed its own testing at its facilities in Germany, Tennessee, and North Carolina using five different machining centers. Chip flow and formation were analyzed using high-speed cameras, and he says a refined tool-grinding processes was developed as a result of this analysis. Ultimately, nearly 300 different tools were produced for use in the project, and 15,000 cubic inches of titanium were machined.

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

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.

SSP’s commitment to adopting the latest machining technology benefits not only the business, but its employees as well.

During the final round of testing, Kennametal used a Haimer Safe-Lock shrink-fit holder and was able to run all of its tools in the exceeds category. With the traditional milling approach, less than 0.001 inch of tool wear was observed after 1 hour, with a surface finish of 23 μin Ra. Within the high velocity testing, tool wear measured less than 0.0014 inch and surface roughness was better than 27.5 μin Ra. Perhaps most significantly, the Harvi tools permitted a 20-percent higher metal removal rate than others because the design enables effective use of six flutes where other end mills were limited to five.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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

Get sensible, real-world automation solutions during this half-day workshop co-located with IMTS 2024.

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.

Steve Geisel, senior product manager at Iscar Canada, said that there are three main categories of coatings: chemical vapour deposition (CVD), physical vapour deposition (PVD), and uncoated. CVD coatings are generally thicker and allow machining at higher surface footage, which can be good for machining carbon and alloy steels. PVD coatings are for the high-temperature alloy materials because the coatings are very thin to allow the insert to absorb heat. That quality avoids work hardening that would be caused by heat reflecting back into the cut or chip. Uncoated inserts are used for high temperature applications like titanium because many of the coatings have a titanium layer and the cutting tool needs to be harder than the material being cut.

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

Sue Roberts, associate editor, contributes to both Canadian Metalworking and Canadian Fabricating & Welding. A metalworking industry veteran, she has contributed to marketing communications efforts and written B2B articles for the metal forming and fabricating, agriculture, food, financial, and regional tourism industries.

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 layer of a nanolaminate PVD coating is approximately 7 nm thick. Varying the individual layer materials and thicknesses makes it possible to adjust the hardness and thermal stability properties. Photo courtesy of Seco Tools LLC.

Thoughtful considerations will set you on a shortened path to the most optimized solution once cutter meets metal.

Iscar’s grade IC6025 structure is for turning ISO M materials. Each layer of the coating and its thickness are chosen to meet a specific need. Photo courtesy of Iscar.

The Walter Turn toolholder features rake-face cooling to help break and control chips, and double flank-face cooling directly at the cutting edge to extend tool life.

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.

But which tools to choose? Answering that question led to the competition. Various cutting tool suppliers submitted tooling for machining trials that were conducted at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in the United Kingdom. To pursue better results within the test parameters, Kennametal modified an existing tool design—its “Harvi” end mill design featuring unequally spaced flutes to break up chatter, eccentric relief to extend tool life, and a tapered core for stability during heavy cutting. That modified tool is now available to the aircraft manufacturer and to others as the tool maker’s new “Harvi III Aerospace” line.

In this webinar, CloudNC Co-Founder Theo Saville reveals how U.S. machine shops are using cutting-edge AI today to accelerate their CNC machining, helping them become more efficient and save over 1,000 production hours per year. Theo will demonstrate CAM Assist, an AI solution that automates CAM programming within existing CAD/CAM platforms — and even provides working physics-based cutting parameters for your existing toolsets. Attendees will learn how the technology has developed, its current capabilities and applications, and how it is expected to progress in the near future. Agenda: How U.S. machine shops are using AI tools to automate their CAM programming and increase their productivity and efficiency How AI tools can help fill the CAM programming skills crisis What tasks AI can be successfully applied to today and what the future holds How AI can fit into machinists' workflows today without specialist training Advanced applications, such as setting cutting parameters and soft jaw fixtures with AI

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.

As for the aircraft manufacturer, the evaluation continues. Future tests will evaluate inserted tools. And even the determination related to solid carbide tools will not have an immediate impact, because in the aerospace sector, parts are frequently certified and then locked against further manufacturing process change. But for new part programs developed from this point forward, the manufacturer and its suppliers will have an ever-more-focused range of cutters from which to choose.

Cutting tool maker Kennametal reports it was the winner of a recent competition by a “major U.S.-based aircraft manufacturer” (the company doesn’t wish to be named publicly) aimed at standardizing its solid carbide end mills. According to Kennametal’s manager of solid end milling tools Thilo Mueller, the problem the aircraft manufacturer still faces is this: An expanding number of active machined parts has led to an ever-expanding universe of cutting tools that the manufacturer and its suppliers are using. Historically, manufacturing engineering personnel have had too much freedom—more freedom than necessary—in specifying the tooling for a given part. Limiting the range of choice as much as possible to a standard menu of tools would control costs for the aircraft maker by controlling the scope of tool management. It would also help avoid unexpected delays, because those standard tool choices would become standard items that the tool suppliers would be more likely to have in stock.

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

Thoughtful considerations will set you on a shortened path to the most optimized solution once cutter meets metal.

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."

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?

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

Keep up to date with the latest news, events, and technology for all things metal from our pair of monthly magazines written specifically for Canadian manufacturers!

Fryer Machine Systems Inc. presents its TC Series of CNC machining centers for high-performance cutting, accuracy, reliability and ease of use.

Every shop’s desire is to increase production without losing quality amidst faster machining processes. Lean manufacturing remains a common goal. Lights-out production requires inserts that last until an operator returns to change edges. A job shop gets a job that requires working with a new, difficult material. Chances are the best insert and coating to be used is not an old reliable. These are the types of situations that drive coating research forward.

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

SolidCAM's partnership with Desktop Metal is aimed at making additive manufacturing more accessible to job shops and other manufacturers.

Insert manufacturers, like electronic providers that continually upgrade cell phones and televisions, continually invest in research and development to make their cutting tools do a better job. The upside to not staying with the coating developed a few years ago is that new, more effective coatings add more to the bottom line. The downside, which isn’t really a downside, is that there are many more options to choose from which can make selecting the right cutting tool a bit difficult. Experts at each tooling company save the expanded options from being a problem. They will collect information on the process being used, the material being cut, and the end product being produced to be sure the right coating is selected to provide quality cuts and long-lasting performance.

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.

Thoughtful considerations will set you on a shortened path to the most optimized solution once cutter meets metal.

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

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.

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."

Join Mahr for an informative webinar to discover the latest advancements in precision measurement, designed to elevate your quality assurance processes and unlock peak productivity. It'll explore cutting-edge technologies — such as modern height gages and contour measuring systems — along with their applications, benefits and technical capabilities. Discover the power of height gages: Learn how intuitive and sophisticated height gages can revolutionize your measurement processes, enabling quick and accurate results in inspection and production areas. Explore the practical functions and ease of use that make height gages an ideal solution for manufacturers seeking high-performance and reliable measuring technology. Examine sample applications and industries where height gages excel, such as qualifying first parts, inspecting incoming parts and measuring series of parts in industries like aerospace, automotive and medical. Unlock efficient contour measurement: An introduction to the latest contour measuring technologies that enable fast, simple and comprehensive contour measurement in the production environment. Discover how these innovative solutions ensure reliable measurements, saving time and increasing efficiency while measuring a wide range of workpieces. Learn how to streamline your contour measuring process with speed and simplicity, achieving fast and precise measurements with incredible versatility. Register now and discover how to unlock peak productivity with new innovations in precision measurement. Agenda: Insights into the latest precision measurement technologies and their applications Understanding of how to improve quality assurance processes and increase productivity Knowledge of how to select the right measurement solutions for your specific needs Tips on how to optimize your measurement processes for maximum efficiency

Refined machines at EROWA are handling heavier loads, while its precision workholding enhances stability and rigidity.

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.

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.

New tech center is serving as a cutting-edge showroom and a technological hub for advanced machining 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

The new-generation steel turning insert grades GC4425 and GC4415 deliver improved performance in every way. Coated with second-generation Inveio® technology, they have a broad range of applications and are recommended for continuous and interrupted cuts. See how our experts worked their magic and learn what drove them to create our recently launched ISO P steel turning grades – GC4415 and GC4425.

“We did a spot check with some of our customers. We would go to a recycle bin, grab a handful of inserts, and check the edges. They were shocked at the number of unused edges that were thrown into the bin,” said Eller. “Simply having used edges visually apparent in contrast to unused edges made it easy for operators to use all edges before tossing an insert. It creates a substantial cost savings.”

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.

Understandably, many of the new coatings have been developed to increase production in exotic and difficult-to-machine materials, but not all. Some new coatings boost production for established, more common materials.

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

Most of the coatings, nearly 90 per cent according to tooling manufacturers, are multilayer. The elements making up each layer, the thickness of each layer, and the order in which they are applied to the insert dictate what materials they can cut and how long they will last.

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

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.

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.

“We are starting to use coatings that incorporate rare-earth elements to try to get the coating at a higher hardness than the material being machined,” said Geisel.

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

ANCA CNC Machines is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a global producer of CNC tool and cutter grinders.

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.

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!

“Whenever we’re working with a manufacturer, we have them show us the machine to be used, specify the material, and show us the workpiece. The workpiece itself is key. Is it an easy shape or some sort of irregular shape that needs counterweights because the part might not run perfectly true? A prime example is the automotive industry because its parts might have lobes or protrusions so they have to be offset when they run. That affects the insert wear. We get a feeling for what type of cutting parameters they can operate safely and then determine the insert and coating. If you run too fast, you can risk throwing a part out of a machine and hurting the operator,” said Geisel.

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.

Coatings like Sumitomo’s CVD Absotech Platinum are designed to increase cutting speeds and improve cuts in carbon steels, tool steels, and stainless steels. Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc.

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

Nesting parts for fabrication, woodworking or soft goods production saves money by optimizing material usage and reducing waste. NestingWorks is a SolidWorks add-in that can be used independently for nesting or in combination with your integrated CAM software to create CNC programs for machining of the nested sheets of parts. It automatically flattens parts and includes several advanced options to save you time in CNC programming. Join this webinar to experience the benefits of integrated nesting software. Agenda: See how integrated nesting uses full associativity with SolidWorks and automatically nests parts, assemblies and folders of parts Learn how integrated nesting provides true shape nesting, part-in-part nesting, user-specified grain direction and layouts for parts with varied thickness Watch a demonstration to see how integrated nesting produces the maximum number of parts from a single piece of raw material in a matter of minutes

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

Follow that path only if you want to lose productivity today.Insert manufacturers, like electronic providers that continually upgrade cell phones and televisions, continually invest in research and development to make their cutting tools do a better job. The upside to not staying with the coating developed a few years ago is that new, more effective coatings add more to the bottom line. The downside, which isn’t really a downside, is that there are many more options to choose from which can make selecting the right cutting tool a bit difficult. Experts at each tooling company save the expanded options from being a problem. They will collect information on the process being used, the material being cut, and the end product being produced to be sure the right coating is selected to provide quality cuts and long-lasting performance.Every shop’s desire is to increase production without losing quality amidst faster machining processes. Lean manufacturing remains a common goal. Lights-out production requires inserts that last until an operator returns to change edges. A job shop gets a job that requires working with a new, difficult material. Chances are the best insert and coating to be used is not an old reliable. These are the types of situations that drive coating research forward.John Copher, applications engineer at Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc., said, “Part of my job is answering the engineering hotline, and almost every day someone calls and says they are working with a material we have never heard of before. As a tooling provider, we have to find out what is in the material and work with the caller to assign the grade and coating that will work best. All the old materials are still out there, but there are a lot of new materials in the aerospace, automotive, and medical fields that have caused us to adjust the technology that produces the coatings on the inserts that will cut those materials.”3 Main TypesSteve Geisel, senior product manager at Iscar Canada, said that there are three main categories of coatings: chemical vapour deposition (CVD), physical vapour deposition (PVD), and uncoated. CVD coatings are generally thicker and allow machining at higher surface footage, which can be good for machining carbon and alloy steels. PVD coatings are for the high-temperature alloy materials because the coatings are very thin to allow the insert to absorb heat. That quality avoids work hardening that would be caused by heat reflecting back into the cut or chip. Uncoated inserts are used for high temperature applications like titanium because many of the coatings have a titanium layer and the cutting tool needs to be harder than the material being cut.Advances are continually being made in all three categories.Uncoated inserts, along with the CVD and PVD coated inserts, benefit from new substrates. For coated inserts, new chemical formulas continue to make them last longer, be more efficient, and have the ability to cut established and new materials faster.Most of the coatings, nearly 90 per cent according to tooling manufacturers, are multilayer. The elements making up each layer, the thickness of each layer, and the order in which they are applied to the insert dictate what materials they can cut and how long they will last.Tooling manufacturers continually experiment with new mixes of standard coating materials and introduce new elements.“We are starting to use coatings that incorporate rare-earth elements to try to get the coating at a higher hardness than the material being machined,” said Geisel. Iscar’s grade IC6025 structure is for turning ISO M materials. Each layer of the coating and its thickness are chosen to meet a specific need. Photo courtesy of Iscar.The Shape of AtomsStructure of the atoms within the coatings and how each coating adheres to the layer above and below also plays a large role in their effectiveness.Aaron-Michael B. Eller, product manager—ISO turning and advanced materials, Seco Tools LLC, said, “In PVD aluminum titanium nitride or titanium nitride coatings, the atoms are arranged in a cubic form. During use, structural and compositional changes take place. Some are helpful but others are not. By controlling the coating process, we can encourage the good and deter the bad, resulting in increased speed capability and wear resistance.“In CVD aluminum-oxide coatings, the atoms are arranged in a hexagonal form. In the past the orientation of the coating’s building blocks were randomly arranged. Today we can control the orientation and bring a harder and tougher structure to the point of the cut. These textured coatings are 15 per cent tougher and 10 per cent harder than the old version. That means as much as 20 per cent more cutting speed or 30 per cent more tool life.”Copher said the ability of tooling manufacturers to control the crystal orientation keeps the coatings in line with each other. “Controlling the crystal orientation helps the wear resistance, the peeling resistance, and the breakdown of the coating during the machining process.”Visual AdvantageA top layer of coating such as a colourful chrome that wears away to expose the different colour of the layer below can, by itself, provide a significant increase in productivity.“We did a spot check with some of our customers. We would go to a recycle bin, grab a handful of inserts, and check the edges. They were shocked at the number of unused edges that were thrown into the bin,” said Eller. “Simply having used edges visually apparent in contrast to unused edges made it easy for operators to use all edges before tossing an insert. It creates a substantial cost savings.”Some Recent CoatingsUnderstandably, many of the new coatings have been developed to increase production in exotic and difficult-to-machine materials, but not all. Some new coatings boost production for established, more common materials.Iscar’s DO-TECH coating combines the CVD and PVD technologies to create a coating that improves performance when cutting cast iron for milling and turning. Geisel said, “We use a lot of titanium carbides and aluminum oxides. We also use titanium nitride—it’s a good coating to use as a top layer because it’s gold and shows the wear.”Sumitomo’s CVD Absotech™ Platinum coating is a multilayer aluminum oxide/titanium carbon nitride designed mainly to cut carbon steels, tool steels, and stainless steel. Copher said that the Absotech Bronze PVD coating of titanium aluminum silicon nitride is recommended for interrupted machining of stainless steel and exotic materials.Duratomic® from Seco is a CVD aluminum-oxide coating for increased edge toughness, more wear resistance, and smooth surface finishes that are cut with less friction, said Eller. When the insert does begin to wear, the chrome included in its makeup shows the worn edges. Each layer of a nanolaminate PVD coating is approximately 7 nm thick. Varying the individual layer materials and thicknesses makes it possible to adjust the hardness and thermal stability properties. Photo courtesy of Seco Tools LLC.Everything Matters“Whenever we’re working with a manufacturer, we have them show us the machine to be used, specify the material, and show us the workpiece. The workpiece itself is key. Is it an easy shape or some sort of irregular shape that needs counterweights because the part might not run perfectly true? A prime example is the automotive industry because its parts might have lobes or protrusions so they have to be offset when they run. That affects the insert wear. We get a feeling for what type of cutting parameters they can operate safely and then determine the insert and coating. If you run too fast, you can risk throwing a part out of a machine and hurting the operator,” said Geisel.“I’ll ask manufacturers why they are using a particular insert or coating and they say, ‘It’s just what we had.’ That’s understandable if they have only a few pieces to make, but they need to understand that all tooling manufacturers are improving technologies,” Geisel said. “A grade of coating they used 10 years ago is completely different from today’s grades which are much better.”Iscar Canada, 905-829-9000, www.iscar.ca Seco Tools LLC, 248- 528-5457, www.secotools.comSumitomo Electric Carbide Inc., 800-950-5205, www.sumicarbide.com Slide Show | 5 Images

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

New tech center is serving as a cutting-edge showroom and a technological hub for advanced machining applications.

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

Tooling manufacturers continually experiment with new mixes of standard coating materials and introduce new elements.

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.

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

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.

John Copher, applications engineer at Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc., said, “Part of my job is answering the engineering hotline, and almost every day someone calls and says they are working with a material we have never heard of before. As a tooling provider, we have to find out what is in the material and work with the caller to assign the grade and coating that will work best. All the old materials are still out there, but there are a lot of new materials in the aerospace, automotive, and medical fields that have caused us to adjust the technology that produces the coatings on the inserts that will cut those materials.”

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

A top layer of coating such as a colourful chrome that wears away to expose the different colour of the layer below can, by itself, provide a significant increase in productivity.

The 5-Axis Live technology event will highlight new machining strategies for optimizing the production of complex medical, aerospace and mold/die parts.

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.

A former employee of General Motors and Tesla talks about the issues that led to shutdowns on factory lines, and what small- to medium-sized manufacturers can do today to win business from large OEMs.

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.

Iscar’s DO-TECH coating combines the CVD and PVD technologies to create a coating that improves performance when cutting cast iron for milling and turning. Geisel said, “We use a lot of titanium carbides and aluminum oxides. We also use titanium nitride—it’s a good coating to use as a top layer because it’s gold and shows the wear.”

Duratomic® from Seco is a CVD aluminum-oxide coating for increased edge toughness, more wear resistance, and smooth surface finishes that are cut with less friction, said Eller. When the insert does begin to wear, the chrome included in its makeup shows the worn edges.

The fact that the tool makes effective use of six flutes proved key. Other cutters in the testing had five flutes, reducing metal removal rate.

Women in Manufacturing is excited to announce that the 2024 SUMMIT will be a hybrid event — both an in-person and virtual experience. Both program offerings will enable you to grow through education and connections that are insightful, meaningful and actionable. Join Women in Manufacturing Oct. 6-9, 2024, in Boston or digitally for an event filled with plant tours at leading manufacturing facilities, professional development sessions, roundtable discussions on important topics, and inspiring keynotes.  All while engaging and interacting with peers through social and networking events! __PRESENT __PRESENT

Copher said the ability of tooling manufacturers to control the crystal orientation keeps the coatings in line with each other. “Controlling the crystal orientation helps the wear resistance, the peeling resistance, and the breakdown of the coating during the machining process.”

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.

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

Misapplication of these important CNC features will result in wasted time, wasted or duplicated effort and/or wasted material.

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.

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

Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of Canadian Fabricating & Welding.

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

The latest version of Kennametal’s Harvi tool was developed through efforts aimed at a competition for reducing an aircraft manufacturer’s tooling choices.

Sumitomo’s CVD Absotech™ Platinum coating is a multilayer aluminum oxide/titanium carbon nitride designed mainly to cut carbon steels, tool steels, and stainless steel. Copher said that the Absotech Bronze PVD coating of titanium aluminum silicon nitride is recommended for interrupted machining of stainless steel and exotic materials.

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.

Sunnen Products Co. is celebrating its 100th anniversary, highlighting the history of its line of honing and precision solutions.

In the tools developed for this application, an already existing carbide grade proved effective, the company’s KCSM15 Beyond grade. The new modifications to this tooling that now exist in the Harvi III line relate to edge geometry, Mr. Mueller says.

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.

Uncoated inserts, along with the CVD and PVD coated inserts, benefit from new substrates. For coated inserts, new chemical formulas continue to make them last longer, be more efficient, and have the ability to cut established and new materials faster.

Surface measurement is becoming increasingly important to ensure proper performance of a manufactured product. Advanced surface measurement tools are not only beneficial in the manufacturing industry but also have unconventional applications.

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

Strict guidelines governed what kinds of tooling could be used. Initially, the solid carbide end mills in all these cases had to be 1.25 inch in diameter, with a flute length of 4 inches, corner radii of 0.09 inch and a flute count of either five or six. Further testing then evaluated different combinations of tool diameter, length and corner radius (up to the full radius of a ballnose tool), Mr. Mueller says. Tools were required to achieve axial depth of cut of 2 inches while extending from the holder exactly 4.5 inches. And in all of this (sorry, metric system), only imperial units were allowed. Within these constraints, the tooling supplier was free to put forward its best choice of tool coating, carbide substrate and cutting geometry.

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.

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.

Aaron-Michael B. Eller, product manager—ISO turning and advanced materials, Seco Tools LLC, said, “In PVD aluminum titanium nitride or titanium nitride coatings, the atoms are arranged in a cubic form. During use, structural and compositional changes take place. Some are helpful but others are not. By controlling the coating process, we can encourage the good and deter the bad, resulting in increased speed capability and wear resistance.

“I’ll ask manufacturers why they are using a particular insert or coating and they say, ‘It’s just what we had.’ That’s understandable if they have only a few pieces to make, but they need to understand that all tooling manufacturers are improving technologies,” Geisel said. “A grade of coating they used 10 years ago is completely different from today’s grades which are much better.”

Ceratizit USA announces it has appointed Carlos Garza as its business development leader for the oil and gas industry sector.

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.

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

Succeeding in aerospace manufacturing requires high-performing processes paired with high-performance machine tools. IMTS can help you find both.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wingman is powered by a secure AI model developed to extract critical information from quote packages so that estimators can work faster, automate administrative aspects of setting up quotes and minimize the risk of missing important details.

“In CVD aluminum-oxide coatings, the atoms are arranged in a hexagonal form. In the past the orientation of the coating’s building blocks were randomly arranged. Today we can control the orientation and bring a harder and tougher structure to the point of the cut. These textured coatings are 15 per cent tougher and 10 per cent harder than the old version. That means as much as 20 per cent more cutting speed or 30 per cent more tool life.”

Structured light scanning is used to create a digital twin of a manufactured part, but we must understand the measurement reproducibility to best use the data.

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

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

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

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

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.

Structure of the atoms within the coatings and how each coating adheres to the layer above and below also plays a large role in their effectiveness.

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