If you run "lights out" turning operations, you can minimize concerns about chip control, throughput, surface finish, edge security and tool wear. When you run your first cuts, don't limit yourself to checking your workpiece, but also read your chips. Your chip characteristics will tell you immediately what machining data or tooling need fixing, so you can adjust them, then walk away. And, if you become a chip expert, you'll be among a minority that understands that there's more to a chip than just a piece of metal. MMS

At Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, researchers use a robotic test bed where AMRs deliver Lego bricks to robot arms for assembly to study AI, multirobot collaboration, assembly, safety and more.

Stainless steel has much lower thermal conductivity and higher ductility than conventional steel. The ingredients added to improve its corrosion resistance and tensile strength, especially chromium, nickel and molybdenum, give it the highest yield strength of the three materials. The results during turning are more friction, higher cutting forces and therefore higher temperatures with consequential smearing tendency and work-hardening of the component surfaces. These characteristics are typical of all austenitic stainless steel grades.

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

Decker Machine Works recently adopted Rego-Fix’s reCool through-coolant system for ER collets, reducing the cycle times on a nickel alloy job by 70%.

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.

Thread Pitch Type: Coarse ; Thread Direction: Right ; System of Measurement: Inch ; Material: Stainless Steel 304 ; Finish: Plain Finish (No Plating).

Facing increasing competition from lower-cost imports, Suburban Tool made a move toward large-scale, in-house machining. By identifying a niche in large, precision angle plates and tombstones, the company has strengthened its ability to control quality and protect its reputation.

AI technology isn’t just a concept for the future—it’s here now, ready to transform your estimating process with the new AI BOM builder in JobBOSS². In this first-launch webinar, discover how AI can revolutionize bill of materials (BOM) entry in your shop, saving time, reducing errors and boosting efficiency. In this session, ECI will review how to use AI to build BOMs through a powerful feature that automates the extraction and input of BOM data from PDFs, Excel spreadsheets and images, all within JobBOSS². You'll have the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of the AI BOM builder in action — showcasing its ability to reduce BOM entry time from hours to mere minutes — thereby allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks. Additionally, you will learn about the real-world benefits of AI-driven BOM entry, including the minimization of manual errors, enhanced accuracy, and streamlined estimating processes — all of which can provide your shop with an immediate competitive edge. Finally, there will be a Q&A session with experts, giving you the chance to ask questions and find out how to integrate AI effectively. Agenda:  Experience AI in action in a real-world manufacturing setting Discover how the AI BOM builder can immediately impact your shop’s efficiency and productivity Get hands-on insights on implementing AI to streamline your operations

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

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.

Heat treating (or heat treatment) is a group of industrial, thermal and metalworking processes used to alter the physical, and sometimes chemical, ...

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.

Determining the shape of a workpiece is required in many manufacturing processes. Keep in mind these important points to ensure that you master the process.

Besides material, chip formation is affected by a combination of cutting data—especially feed rate and depth of cut—as well as insert lead angle, rake angle, and the tool's nose radius. Let's examine each of these factors separately.

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

Steel chips, on the other hand, form very hard, continuous, long segments. If not properly controlled, they tend to curl into spirals or spring-like shapes. They will need help to break off into a desired shape for efficient, reliable turning and unattended chip disposal. The ideal chip should have a helical shape, that is, as in a figure 6 or 9, and measure no more than about two inches long. Its "steel" blue color indicates to the trained eye that the chip is removing sufficient heat from the work surface.

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.

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

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

Custom workholding enabled Resolve Surgical Technologies to place all sizes of one trauma part onto a single machine — and cut days from the setup times.

Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.

Low alloy steels have less than 5 percent alloying elements, such as silicon, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur, which also affects machinability and chip formation. High alloy steels have more than 5 percent of these elements. Unalloyed steels have hardnesses ranging from BHN110 to BHN310 depending on the carbon content. By the same token, low alloy steels range from BHN125 to BHN420 when hardened. High alloy steels range from BHN150 to BHN350 when hardened. Higher carbon contents increase hardness and decrease ductility, but also are more demanding to turn than plain carbon steel.

Suggestion: Whenever possible, select state-of-the-art high positive rake inserts optimized for specific materials and operations.

20011020 — We have a thermal flow meter ranged 0-25800 SFPM, what does this mean? Thanks for any help.

The Detroit Auto Show, formerly known as the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), is located squarely at the intersection of technology and mobility. It’s a global event filled with tangible advances ready to hit the pavement today. Here, the software is as revolutionary as anything out there, and the hardware always looks better with a good polish. You won’t find any devices that will fit in your pocket, but you will discover machines that will move you in the most literal sense. You’ll also connect with thought leaders from around the world, both in and outside the automotive industry, whose collective visions for the future of mobility will shape the way we move for years to come.

The MFG Meeting brings together manufacturing technology industry leaders to address key business challenges and provide actionable solutions. Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including workforce, economics, supply chain, leadership, politics, and more. This unique meeting experience provides unparalleled opportunities to network with executives from companies that make, sell, service, and support MT. These peers and competitors will learn from each other, build long-lasting connections, and share insights that will benefit their business.

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.

When you decide on insert shape, find the shape that already incorporates the required lead angle. The table below shows insert shapes with corresponding presentation angles to the workpiece and their most suitable applications. For example, for roughing, the strongest insert is round, followed by square and rectangular inserts, while for finishing, the most suitable are triangular diamond inserts.

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

Custom workholding enabled Resolve Surgical Technologies to place all sizes of one trauma part onto a single machine — and cut days from the setup times.

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

Each year Products Finishing partners with thousands of finishing operations in the U.S. to celebrate National Surface Finishing Day (NSFD) on the first Wednesday in March. NSFD is designed to celebrate and showcase the industry to trade schools, businesses, officials and media, as well as to celebrate employees and staff. The overarching goal of NSFD is to bring further awareness to the important roles plating and coating facilities play in their communities. Facilities are encouraged to host events and work with local media to build awareness about the contributions made by the surface finishing industry. For a helpful guide to reaching out to media outlets, download the NSFD toolkit here. How can you celebrate? Share your company’s story Hold an open house where the public can check out your facility –— either in person or virtual Offer student shop tours to local trade schools Invite local elected officials to visit and get to know your staff Celebrate your employees Share news about what you’re doing on social media and use the hashtag #NationalSurfaceFinishingDay or #NSFD

Some people say "reading" chips is like reading tea leaves, albeit much more rooted in science than in conjecture. If you master chip reading, you'll control throughput, turning costs, tool life and surface finish, leading to better process economics and increased process security.

Cast iron has the lowest shear yield strength of the three materials, thus requiring less cutting force than either steel or stainless steel. Cast iron contains 1.8 to 4.5 percent carbon and additives like silicone, magnesium, chromium, molybdenum, and copper to improve rigidity and ductility. The resulting cast iron grades range from Brinell hardness numbers (BHN) of 150 to 300. That means that even though they're all cast iron, they respond differently to turning.

The digital landscape is evolving fast — are you ready for what’s ahead? Join SYSPRO Americas and Sam Gupta of ElevatIQ for exclusive insights into the key trends driving digital transformation in 2025. This webinar is perfect for business leaders, IT professionals and decision-makers across industries looking to prepare for the future. Whether you’re modernizing operations or staying ahead of industry disruptions, these trends will help shape your strategy for 2025 and beyond. Agenda:  AI and automation Geopolitical shifts and cybersecurity risks Collaboration and data integration Sustainability and energy efficiency

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

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."

No matter what your workholding application, automation always makes sense. Kurt Workholding helps you pick the right tool for the automation job — whether it be a single-vise setup or multiple vises holding large work pieces. This webinar will cover automation solutions using pneumatic, hydraulic and electronic actuation. Agenda:  Most common types of vise automation solutions How to pick the right type of automation for an application Key differences between custom workholding and off-the-shelf automation solutions

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.

Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.

Suggestion: Compensate for the challenges of your workpiece materials. Select high positive rake inserts and chipbreakers and geometries matched to the materials, so that cutting forces work for, not against you.

Facing increasing competition from lower-cost imports, Suburban Tool made a move toward large-scale, in-house machining. By identifying a niche in large, precision angle plates and tombstones, the company has strengthened its ability to control quality and protect its reputation.

So, let's get right down to the basics of how to generate optimum chips in the three most common materials and operations, then how to interpret the chips.

If your present chips fit these criteria, you'll know that you're running at the appropriate machine settings, your tooling has the correct chipbreaker and insert rake angle, and you are removing the right amount of heat from the workpiece. Given the right tooling and machining data, the chips will be self-breaking. If they're not, one or more of these factors are off.

The key was to create the right-sized chips. The situation was resolved by merely switching to a higher positive rake insert optimized for the 8620 cold forged steel workpiece. As a result, the company gained confidence in their process security, saved 300 hours a year in avoided maintenance downtime, and picked up additional business with the freed-up capacity.

These are some of the questions we asked our climbers about their experiences with Western Milling: · I would recommend this as a place of employment. · I believe ...

Moving from an aging set of five-axis mills to more advanced machines enabled Hendrick Motorsports to dramatically improve its engine production.

Achieve higher metal removal rates and enhanced predictability with ISCAR’s advanced high-feed milling tools — optimized for today’s competitive global market.

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

Two major chip types: spiral- and comma-shaped chips. A small depth of cut produces spiral-shaped chips (above, left), and a longer depth of cut leads to comma-shaped chips.

This new quick-change tooling system enables shops to get more production from their Swiss turning centers through reduced tool setup time and matches the performance of a solid tool.

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

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.

ModuleWorks and Toolpath announce a technology partnership that intends to utilize intelligent cloud-based manufacturing solutions for machining estimation and CAM automation.

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 insert rake angle and size also affect the degree of chip deformation and the generation of the initial curvature of chips. A higher positive rake means more continuous cutting, smoother chip flow, lower cutting forces, lower temperatures and less deformation hardening of the material. The top face insert geometry directs chips away from the workpiece as they exit the cut.

In this webinar, director of manufacturing Phil Linscheid will discuss how Hamilton Company has transformed its manufacturing operations with real-time production data. Learn how Phil and his team have increased throughput five times since 2017, while simultaneously improving production efficiency. Phil will share his journey over the past few years making strategic decisions to grow the machine shop’s impact as well as how his team uses MachineMetrics to improve production visibility, automate cycle time tracking, increase machine uptime and enable accurate quoting and planning. Agenda: Enabling production visibility in Nevada’s largest machine shop Improving quoting, planning and scheduling with accurate cycle times The importance of integrating shop floor data with operational systems

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.

Cast iron, by its inherent chemical and physical composition, is a short chipping material. Chips spontaneously shear off into small particles that are more powder-like than particulate, causing the typical airborne cast iron dust. The appropriate color is a grayish red.

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.

Nose radius and depth of cut also affect the shape and direction of chips. Small depth of cut produces spiral-shaped chips, larger depth of cut leads to comma-shaped chips. By the same token, a small nose radius generates thinner chips that are easier to push away from the workpiece. On the other hand, a large nose radius increases demands on the tool. It produces thicker chips and pushes them generally in many directions, generating higher cutting forces and requiring higher machine power for chip control.

2024911 — Choosing between spot drills and center drills depends on the specific requirements of your machining task. Spot drills offer superior precision ...

The Starrett AVR400 offers full CNC capabilities including XYZ positioning as well as zoom and telecentric lens options.

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.

Suggestion: Generally, select the smallest lead angle that the operation will allow for lower cutting forces and better chip disposal.

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

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.

The goal of National Composites Week is to celebrate and bring attention to the myriad ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contributes to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today. Learn how you can participate in this year's National Composites Week on NationalCompositesWeek.com.

The following example illustrates the differences encountered in interrupted-cut austenitic steel turning with a 5-degree rake angle versus a 15-degree rake angle insert. The 5-degree rake angle requires higher cutting forces, leading to fluctuations which cause waviness on the machined surface. It also produces higher heat buildup and plastic deformation against the cutting edge.

10" x 6" 1/2" R Stainless Steel Chamfer Tool with ProForm® Handle CF132PF $21.00 Picture of 10" x 6" 1/2" R Stainless Steel Chamfer Tool with Wood Handle

Suggestion: For optimum material removal, maximize the depth of cut allowed by the cutting tool, then set the feed rate so that it works with your chipbreaker geometry to create the ideal chip.

Stainless steel produces irregular or similar segments and, like steel, has a tendency to curl in continuous long segments. The ideal stainless steel chip is short, helical shaped, and is a yellow, wheat-like color.

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.

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.

Soraluce’s wide range of machine heads and the ability to have multiple heads on a single machine (with automatic changing stations) provides flexibility and reduced setups for large-format machining.

Are you sure you have the best insert for that turning operation? Check the chips, especially if you are running unattended. Chip characteristics can tell you a lot.

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

Steel fits somewhere between cast iron and stainless steel in yield strength. Carbon steels are malleable alloys of iron and carbon, with carbon content ranging from a fraction of a percent to nearly 2 percent. Carbon content determines the hardness, toughness, and the ease of chipbreaking.

Ninety percent of workpiece materials can be classified into cast iron, steel and stainless steel categories according to their chemical and mechanical properties.

To achieve better surface finish in finish turning, conventional wisdom says to use a larger nose radius and decrease feed rate. The flip side, however, is that larger nose radii tend to cause vibration and poor chip breaking. To ensure that you get good surface finish, a special wiper insert is recommended for high finish turning. Wiper inserts have a modified nose radius with larger corners to wipe the surface smooth, allowing you to run at up to double the recommended feed rate.

Carbide-Faced Hammer – Perfect for Straightening Hardened Knives This carbide-faced hammer is specifically designed to straighten hardened knives without ...

For example, if your feed rate is too low, you'll generate long, stringy chips and they won't be self-breaking. That constitutes an immediate warning signal for unattended turning. On the other hand, if the feed rate is too high, you'll get thicker chips, resulting in chip crowding and a warning signal. Chip crowding often leads to chip hammering, crater wear, or even catastrophic edge failure. In addition, you'll require higher power consumption to form the chip.

AMPG can’t help but take risks — its management doesn’t know how to run machines. But these risks have enabled it to become a runaway success in its market.

At Mill 19, the site of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute and Carnegie Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Institute, robotics data provides the foundation for AI and digital twins.

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.

Feed rate works in conjunction with the tool's chipbreaker geometry to control chip formation. The chipbreaker geometry determines the ability of the cutting edge to form chips at varying feed rates and depths of cut.

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.

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.

The VT Series of large-swing vertical turret lathes can be configured for turning, milling, boring and grinding in a single machine.

The softer, highly-ductile BHN150 ferritic irons are fairly easy to turn, but can be "sticky" and prone to built-up edge at low cutting speeds. The harder, less ductile BHN280 to BHN300 ferritic/pearlitic types tend to generate higher heat, pressure and vibration. The other factor to consider in cast iron turning is abrasive hardness at the edges and corners of workpieces, which place heavier demands on the tools and inserts.

202457 — The most common methods of PVD are Sputtering and Thermal Evaporation. Because in the PVD process, the material is transported and ...

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

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

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.

The Puma DNT Series is equipped with a powerful spindle, a redesigned turret body and live tool drive that provide precise machining and productivity.

There are three types of chip formations: (A) self-breaking, (B) breaking against the tool, (C) breaking against the workpiece.

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.

PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.

Ceratizit USA has promoted Troy Wilt from national sales manager to managing director of Ceratizit USA, cutting tools division.

The chip formation process implies that a fresh metal interface is continually produced between the tool material and the workpiece at varying cutting forces, angles and temperatures. When a cutting edge performs its metal cutting function properly, it deforms some of the workpiece material plastically and then pushes it off. Chips separate in either of three ways: they break by themselves, they break against the tool, or they break against the workpiece.

Smaller lead angles, such as 90 degrees, approach the workpiece abruptly, require higher cutting forces and produce shorter, wider chips. Larger lead angles (30 to 45 degrees), in contrast, result in softer, smoother chip formation, less chip curl and lower cutting forces. A 45-degree lead angle distributes forces equally, that is, it produces lower cutting forces both radially and axially (entering and exiting the cut).

By equipping MassRobotics with its advanced cobots, ABB aims to facilitate the creation of new and impactful solutions that address real-world challenges across various industries.

Even before inspection, Datanomix and Caron Engineering’s TMAC AI can extrapolate part quality from cut information. This information also helps shops push their tool life to its limits.

From cobots to machine monitoring, this Top Shop honoree shows that machining technology is about more than the machine tool.

The deformation-hardened layer on incoming mill stock is considerably thicker in austenitic stainless steel than in carbon steel. The core of the material may be half as hard as the surface, but it's on the surface where the cutting takes place.

Vericut Intelligence and Vericut Assistant aim to simplify the way users can interact with and gain knowledge from Vericut’s software products.

Moving from an aging set of five-axis mills to more advanced machines enabled Hendrick Motorsports to dramatically improve its engine production.

Coordinate systems tell a CNC machine where to position the cutting tool during the program’s execution for any purpose that requires the cutting tool to move.

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

Dec 6, 2007 — Tungsten-vanadium drill bits are used for the highest precision, but they wear out quickly. Titanium-nitride-coated HSS bits might offer the best compromise.

Determining the shape of a workpiece is required in many manufacturing processes. Keep in mind these important points to ensure that you master the process.

These issues are particularly timely today, because many companies are operating multiple shifts to meet growing market demand and running "lights out," unattended turning operations. By interpreting chip size, shape, color, and direction, you will know how effectively your tools and machines are performing. You'll also have peace of mind regarding unattended operation, because chip disposal is controlled, smooth and reliable. Whether unattended or attended, chip formation can wreak havoc on machine uptime.

The 12,000-square-foot Center for Machining Excellence houses a wide range of technology and serves as a hub for industry innovation that is accessible to manufacturers and industry thought leaders worldwide.

Suggestion: Select a nose radius of 3/64 inch or larger for stainless steel, steel, and cast iron turning. You'll get better chip control and disposal. For finish turning, select a WM or WF wiper insert.

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.

OnLogic is partnering with AI development and implementation specialists to help companies use AI-powered solutions, aiming to drive real business value.

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.

ModuleWorks and Toolpath announce a technology partnership that intends to utilize intelligent cloud-based manufacturing solutions for machining estimation and CAM automation.

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.

The chips you generally want to aim for are the self-breaking kind. Chips that break against the tool can cause chip hammering and tool breakage. Those that break against the workpiece can damage surface finish. When you read a chip, match its shape, length, and color to the following guidelines:

The study reveals that the down-milled surface has higher hardness and better surface finish resulting in lower roughness as the cutting force is compressive in ...

Pacon Mfg, Inc. has not rested on its laurels as the 2020 Top Shop Honoree for Shopfloor Practices and Performance. In the years since, it has refined its processes to continue excelling in a volatile market.

Turning with a large positive rake 15-degree angle eliminates these concerns. It reduces cutting forces, and produces a smoother surface, and better chip evacuation across the rake face.

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.

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

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.

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."

The DG modular interchangeable head milling system optimizes the interface between the cutting head and shank for greater versatility, stability and higher changeover precision.

Coordinate systems tell a CNC machine where to position the cutting tool during the program’s execution for any purpose that requires the cutting tool to move.

Consider the example of Metaldyne, an Ohio second-tier supplier of automotive transmission shafts, which was already running near capacity at three shifts, six days a week. Their problem was chip accumulation in the conveyor rollers, requiring operators to stop the turning center every 20 to 25 minutes for approximately 30 seconds of maintenance. Downtime added up on annual production of 150,000 shafts.

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?