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

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.

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.

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

Standards are designed to help the world work more efficiently. This has long been true for manufacturing. Beginning with Henry Maudslay’s invention of the screw-cutting lathe and the resulting standardization of screw threads, industry has strived for interchangeability, predictability, consistent quality, and reduced waste, all of which are made possible through widely accepted, well-documented standards.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

These techniques include arcing into and out of the cut at slightly lower feed rates, thereby reducing shock to the insert, and avoiding burying the insert in corners. Together with the tool’s positive lead angle and use of high-feed, low DOC parameters—similar to that of trochoidal milling—PrimeTurning and other multidirectional solutions make it possible to greatly increase metal removal rates.

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.

“As a Mastercam programmer, I don’t use G71 or any of the other canned cycles found on CNC machines, and can tell you there are much more effective ways to turn a part,” he said. “Yes, for manual programming, there’s no other choice, and I understand the convenience hat comes with these routines. But for the same reasons that Dynamic Milling and other high-performance toolpaths are clearly superior to traditional milling approaches, so too is modern, CAM-generated lathe programming better than old-fashioned manual methods, especially when combined with some of the newer turning tools.”

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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."

Each of the tooling providers interviewed for this article noted the need for unconventional toolpaths to go with their unconventional cutting tools. Several CAM providers have begun to address this need, among them CNC Software LLC, Tolland, Conn., makers of Mastercam. Ben Mund, the company’s channel marketing manager, pointed out that these paths share many of the same qualities as those used with trochoidal milling routines, or in Mastercam’s case, Dynamic Milling.

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

A grooving attachment enabled Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing to reduce cycle times by over 45 minutes on a high-value, high-nickel part feature.

The question then becomes: Should shops use some of these same programming methods with conventional turning tools, and skip the traditional G71 multiple repetitive roughing cycles used on Fanuc-compatible machine controls? Maybe so, suggested Jesse Trinque, an applications engineer at CNC Software.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The MB45 series is designed to deliver the low cutting force benefits of positive inserts and the fracture resistance of negative inserts.

Essex isn’t too concerned with the possibility of parts pulling out of the chuck during multidirectional turning operations. Even so, he suggested using a live center for support whenever possible for maximum security, and as Ingersoll’s Avery indicated, grabbing the part with a high-quality chuck, preferably one with hardened top jaws.

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.

A direct competitor to traditional CNMG (80° diamond) and WNMG (better known as a trigon) inserts, it promises up to a 15 percent reduction in cutting forces and, as its name implies, eight cutting edges per insert for lower tooling costs.

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

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

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.

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!

Said Avery, “We understand that turning away from the chuck tends to pull the workpiece out and that some applications are not viable candidates for multidirectional turning. Still, assuming you have high-quality workholding and a good grip on the material, the benefits are clear—not only can you increase metal removal rates significantly, but you’re able to use both sides of the insert, chip control is much better, and thanks to the chip-thinning effect, tool life goes up substantially.”

Allied Machine & Engineering’s 4TEX insert drill, to be released at IMTS, makes shallow 2×D, 3×D and 4×D holes in the 12 to 47 mm (0.472" to 1.850") range. The drill’s single cutting edge provides high penetration rates on light-duty machines. According to the company, lacking a center coolant outlet improves the drill’s core strength and, by extension, hole size and straightness. Instead, the drill features twisted coolant outlets to improve hole straightness and penetration rates by enhancing coolant flow and chip evacuation.

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

When asked why a machinist can’t simply use a 35° or 55° single-sided insert to “turn backward,” Winter said he worked with a shop that was doing just that during the early days of PrimeTurning. “The long, stringy chips were a constant battle and their tool life was quite poor. That’s because standard inserts are simply not built to cut in the Z+ direction. As this customer found, you can get it to work, but in most applications, the results are less than satisfactory. They’ve been using our Prime solution ever since.”

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.

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.

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

Yet it’s the company’s PrimeTurning system that has received the greatest attention in recent years. Although Winter can’t disclose the exact details, he revealed that the next generation of the unique, definitely non-ISO cutting tool system will arrive later this year. For now, CNC machinists must be content with CoroTurn Prime A, designed for light roughing, profiling, and finishing, and CoroTurn Prime B, the football-shaped roughing insert. Both styles break with convention by turning exceptionally well in the Z+ direction (away from the chuck) and do most of the heavy lifting with the backside of the insert.

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

The drills will be stocked in both imperial and metric shanks with standard fractional diameters. In addition, drills ranging to 26 mm in diameter are available in 1/2-mm increments, while those ranging from 26 to 47 mm in diameter are available in 1-mm increments.

The Dewey Decimal system allows librarians to find and categorize books quickly. The SWIFT and IBAN codes enable bankers to safely conduct electronic transactions with financial institutions in other countries. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is what makes the internet navigable for all.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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).

So it is with indexable cutting tools. Whether it’s ANSI B212.4-2002 in the U.S. or the rest of the world’s ISO 1832:2017, both sets of standards refer to clearly defined (and nearly identical) specifications for insert shape, size, thickness, and other features, all of which serve to make these critical cutting tools interchangeable, regardless of the manufacturer.

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

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.

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.

There are usually better solutions to chatter than just reducing the feed rate. Through vibration analysis, the chatter problem can be solved, enabling much higher metal removal rates, better quality and longer tool life.

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

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

“We worked closely with Sandvik Coromant on their PrimeTurning solution, and during that process, found it necessary to develop what I would call ‘material aware’ toolpaths,” he said. “The goal was to spread the chip load across as many surfaces as possible while keeping the chip load consistent, so we applied some of the same techniques we’d developed for Dynamic Milling to PrimeTurning.”

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.

The Diatool Top Speed Disc features a solid reamer body with multiple connections to produce tolerance stack up.

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.

Pittsburgh-based Kennametal Inc., for example, has introduced the FIX8, a double-sided turning insert whose tangential design quite literally flips ISO and ANSI on its side. Marketing portfolio manager Robert Keilmann explained that FIX8 does not require special programming methods, although it might force shops to reconsider their feeds and speeds.

Avery seconded Winter’s assessment of ISO geometries. Moving away from them, he noted, allows tooling engineers to use finite element analysis (FEA) and other advanced simulation tools to optimize an insert’s metal removal capabilities, but without the constraints imposed by a decades-old standard.

“The FIX8 reduces tooling costs and boosts productivity for manufacturers performing medium and heavy-duty turning and facing in steel, stainless steel, and cast iron,” Keilmann said. “Its lower cutting forces and extremely rigid clamping system support extremely high feed rates and DOC [depth of cut], even in heavy interruptions. Because of this, we’re seeing widespread adoption by automakers turning long shafts and tubes, although it’s a good choice for any general-purpose roughing or semi-finishing operation, regardless of the industry.”

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

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

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

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.

Material-specific insert geometries are available to improve hole quality and penetration rate while also preventing chips from wrapping around the tool.The shape of the four-sided inserts is said to improve surface finish, hole diameter and hole straightness by facilitating a balanced cut.

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

Yet, anyone who has stood in front of a lathe long enough likely has felt the occasional terror when a part comes flying out of the chuck, and knows that turning forces should always be applied toward the headstock. It’s a fair concern.

David Essex, product manager for Tungaloy America Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill., has his own list of non-ISO product successes to share. These include the multifunctional TungBoreMini and double-sided yet positive rake MiniForceTurn, both of which (as their names suggest) are intended for smaller part turning with a lighter DOC, at least relative to the roughing inserts just described. For heavier applications, Essex might recommend the double-sided, pentagon-shaped TurnTenFeed, particularly where tooling costs are a concern, while the company’s TurnFeed is a “super high-feed” turning insert similar in shape and function to Ingersoll’s TurnSFeedF.

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

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.

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

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Has the cutting tool industry finally realized that the ISO and ANSI indexable insert systems, though good for standardization, sometimes stand in the way of increased productivity?

Avery ticked off several additional features, such as unique locking mechanisms that eliminate insert movement during heavy loads, and insert seats with three-point contact for added stability when turning in multiple directions. When coupled with today’s high-performance coatings and the high-pressure, through-the-tool coolant now standard on most toolholders—ISO included—shops are ripping away metal at previously unheard of rates.

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.

IMTS 2018: Allied Machine & Engineering’s 4TEX drill makes shallow 2xD, 3xD and 4xD holes in the 12 to 47 mm (0.472" to 1.850") range.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

On the multidirectional front, Tungaloy recently released its AddMultiTurn and AddY-axisTurn systems. The former is a triangular insert that, according to the company’s website, is equally adept at front turning, back turning, profiling, and face turning. “That one has really taken off for us,” Essex said. “The AddY-axisTurn, on the other hand, is a little more limited in terms of shops that can currently use it, in that it’s made for Y-axis lathes and multitasking machines with a PSC-style (Capto) interface. We are seeing a lot more of these types of machines being purchased with Capto holders because of the benefits in accuracy and speed of tool changes.”

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

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.

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

Sometimes a turning insert appears to meet the ISO standard but is, in reality, a proprietary design. So it is with the round tools found in the CoroTurn 107 line from Sandvik Coromant U.S., Mebane, N.C., which employ a series of grooves—a rail interface—in the bottom of the insert that mate with male risers in the toolholder pocket.

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

There’s no need to repeat those specifications here. Any indexable cutting tool catalog or website has a page or two devoted to them. There are also dozens of books and magazine articles explaining these standards, not to mention the countless colorful charts hanging on the walls of tool cribs everywhere, giving machinists ample resources to identify, order, and apply milling and turning inserts.

As an example, Avery pointed to the company’s TurnSFeedF, a trigon-style insert that at first glance looks like an exceptionally wide grooving tool but boasts longitudinal feedrates up to 3 mm/rev in either direction. There’s also the SuperTurnZ series, whose various shapes appear to be venturing into Prime territory.

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.

More interesting is the increasing number of cutting tool manufacturers that have begun deviating from these standards, a trend that’s particularly true for turning applications. Yes, milling tools have their share of non-standard inserts, but it’s the turning department that has seen a notable influx of tools that are not only non-standard but, in many cases, require us to completely rethink our metal removal processes.

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

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.

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

John Winter, the company’s product manager for the eastern U.S., explained that the interface securely locks the insert in place, eliminating rotation during heavy cutting that can break it or the clamping screw. It also makes indexing more consistent, which leads to more predictable machining. Sandvik Coromant employs a similar interface—the iLock—on its CoroThread 266 indexable threading line and has leveraged its greater security to deliver OptiThreading, a programming method that “bounces the tool in and out of the cut,” and that Winter best describes as a sewing machine motion.

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

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

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.

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’s Edge machine is capable of creating complex 3D cutting tool forms, including solid PCD-tipped end mills and drills under 1 mm.

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

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?

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.

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

Winter added that bypassing the ISO standard gives cutting tool manufacturers greater latitude to develop innovative chip breakers and geometries that are often more productive than the status quo. This was certainly the case with Ingersoll Cutting Tools USA, Rockford, Ill., where turning product manager Raymon Avery noted that many of the products launched over the past year under the SFeedUp brand have non-ISO pockets and were designed for multidirectional turning.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Most important, he said, is to follow the cutting tool manufacturer’s feed, speed, and DOC recommendations, which is good advice for any machining application. “With these tools, you’re typically taking light cuts at very high feedrates. Doing so helps break up the chip and improve tool life, and in most cases, removes more metal in less time than with a heavy cut and lower feedrate. ISO-style inserts will continue to have their place, but I strongly encourage shops to look at some of the newer alternatives. Speaking for Tungaloy, at least, our customers are quite pleased with the results.”

PrimeTurning takes advantage of the chip thinning effect, the same phenomenon that makes trochoidal milling so effective (see sidebar). Anyone turning large quantities of shafts knows they can enjoy similar benefits by using a round or positive lead angle insert. Such conventional tools cannot turn a square shoulder or undercut, however, whereas Prime A and B are said to excel at both, as do many of the competing products that have sprung up since their introduction.

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