American Machinist articles from September 2003

American Machinist archives from September 2003

When it comes to ethics, you either have them or you don't.(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... TWO MONTHS AGO, MY EDITORIAL FOCUSED ON THE PENTAGON'S DOLTISH decision to hire MCI, a.k.a. WorldCom Inc. to build a small wireless-phone network in Iraq. Despite an $11 billion accounting fraud that plummeted the company into bankruptcy and...

The China syndrome.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... I CHALLENGE THE JULY GOVERNMENT Matters by Dr. Paul Freedenberg, VP/Government Relations, AMT--The Association For Manufacturing Technology ("Selling to China" p. 36). His viewpoint is consistent with the quick-buck thinking of big business and...

An educational crisis.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... THE JULY LETTER BY DOUGLAS RIZZO ("Image is everything," p. 12) caught my eye. He was expressing concern about how the public perceives manufacturing as dirty, dingy, and dangerous. As a former high-school industrial-education instructor with...

Regrinder gets to the point.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... THE ARTICLE DRILLING DO'S AND don'ts" (July, p. 54) says that crown-type drills deliver more consistent tool life than solid-carbide or brazed drills, and that reground drills often don't match the performance of a new drill. The reason, says...

Virtual training makes for real-world machinists.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... A NEW, PC-BASED SOFTWARE tool could soon help shops train machinists and NC programmers more efficiently and cost-effectively. Applied Instructional System for Machinists (AISM) simulates the CNC machine tool environment and teaches a variety...

Mechanical challenge will net winner $1 million.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... THE DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH Projects Agency (DARPA), under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), is conducting a Grand Challenge for autonomous ground vehicles. Basically, the driver-free car--no remote control allowed--that...

Building ships efficiently and cost-effectively.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... ALTHOUGH RECENT MATERIAL advances could improve performance and affordability of naval ship structures and machinery components, it isn't always easy to find what materials are pro-certified for use. However, a marine material-property database...

Solar car wins with industrial-motor power.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... A SOLAR RACE TEAM FROM NORTH Dakota State University took first place in the Stock Class of the American Solar Challenge. The Fargo based Sunsetters team beat out schools such as the University of California at Berkeley and California...

Check for cracks without halting production.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... SHOPS CAN CHECK FOR CRACKS AND breaks in components during bending and straightening operations thanks to a new crack detection system. According to its developer, QASS Net Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill., the Model CiS.01 was originally designed...

Engrave on a CNC mill.(Technology Trends)
September 1, 2003... A SIMPLE KIT LETS SHOPS inexpensively add engraving capabilities to a CNC mill, reports its manufacturer, 2L inc. of Hudson, Mass. The company has packaged its Spring Loaded Engraving Tool, which fits into a standard 3/4-in. collet or end-mill...

High-speed, high-frequency spindle.(Accessories)
September 1, 2003... THE GNS 100 TO 170-MM cartridge grinding spindle delivers 36.5 kW of power and speeds to 105,000 rpm. Available with steel or ceramic bearings, the spindle is air-oil or grease lubricated. Features include through-shaft cooling, an HSK tool...

Index fixture with warranty.(Accessories)
September 1, 2003... HE MASTER-GRIND INDEX FIXTURE features Twin-Dex, a 5C collet and V-block in one fixture--suitable for horizontal or vertical V-block positioning on a faceplate. The 72-position index plate allows hard indexing every 5[degrees], and there is a...

Adjustable vise handle.(Tooling & Workholding)
September 1, 2003... THE REPEATER ADJUSTABLE VISE HANDLE HELPS USERS ADJUST VISES while clamping thin-wall, light-to-medium, nonferrous metal or plastic parts. The clutch automatically disengages when the predetermined pressure setting is reached. Rovi...

U.S. Cutting Tool Institute billings index.(Tooling & Workholding)
September 1, 2003... U.S. Cutting Tool Institute Billings Index Index for June 02-May 03 * June $133,189,928 121.1% July $119,157,814 107.5% August $131,611,728 119.2% September $132,460,583 119.5% October ...

Chuck jaws and accessories.(Tooling & Workholding)
September 1, 2003... A NEW CATALOG FROM TEC Workholding features accessories as well as standard and custom chuck jaws. The literature also includes soft-top and hard-top jaws in a variety of styles plus information and specifications for all chuck jaws. TEC...

Tough diamond material.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... THE KD1405 CUTTING TOOL material cuts highly abrasive, nonferrous materials like aluminum alloys having moderate to high-silicon content, metal-matrix composites, carbon composites, reinforced plastics, and brass bronze. According to the...

Small, but rigid, end mill.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... THE DIXI 7240 MICRO END MILL'S extra-short flute length increases tool rigidity for high-feedrate cutting in stainless steel and titanium. Stock tools come in 0.1 to 2-mm diameters (in 0.05-mm increments), 2 to 2.5-mm diameters (in 0.1-mm...

Precision reaming and boring.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... EACH SHEFCUT CUT PRECISION REAMING and boring tool features a single, replaceable blade supported by guide pads for stability and alignment. Tools are micro-adjustable for accurate bore size, with fine finish and superior hole geometry. ...

Square-shoulder milling.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... HIGH-SHEAR, SQUARE-SHOULDER milling cutters cut to a true 90[degrees] shoulder and hold tight axial and radial tolerances. Precision-ground insert geometries, for steel and aluminum machining, allow for less radial and axial runout, and ground...

Compact-cartridge millers.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... MAX-CUT MILLING CUTTERS feature ultra-compact cartridges for fast metal removal, low insert cost, and versatility. Smaller cartridges let these cutters carry 50% to 100% more teeth, at any given diameter, than other designs. Each stagger...

Ballnose end mill.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... A VALMILL 400 FINISHING BALLNOSE end mill uses the TorxPlus insert-locking mechanism. End-mill cutter bodies come in six diameters ranging from 0.375 to 1.25 in. Maximum speeds for the end mills range from 32,500 rpm for larger diameters to...

Four-flute end mill.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2003... NIAGARA CUTTER'S FOUR-FLUTE, solid-carbide end mill with stabilizing flute geometry keeps vibration and unstable harmonics from developing during machining. This results in chatter-tree cuts, even in deep slots. The Stabilizer end mills...

New program, new software, new literature.(Company News)
September 1, 2003... SECO-CARBOLOY HAS INTRODUCED A regrind service for its solid-carbide drill products. The service is provided by a Seco Tools owned and operated drill-grinding facility equipped to regrind drills to factory specifications. Delivery is between...

Alliance to drive down machining cost.(Company News)
September 1, 2003... SANDVIK COROMANT AND VYKOR Inc., Renton, Wash., have formed a strategic alliance that focuses on cost reduction and optimization of machining. Sandvik Coromant provides the tooling, and Vykor's Global Product Format captures tooling...

Trend starting point?(Business Trends)
September 1, 2003... IS THIS THE STARTING POINT OF A TREND? AMT--The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA) reported June machine tool consumption increased 3.3% from the total reported for June 2002...

Selected key supplier.(Business Trends)
September 1, 2003... CINCINNATI MACHINE, CINCINNATI, HAS SIGNED A Memorandum of Agreement with the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. (EADS) for production equipment and systems sourcing. The agreement is part of a new global-sourcing strategy by EADS...

Annual open house.(Business Trends)
September 1, 2003... "FASTER, BETTER, AND CHEAPER" WAS THE THEME OF FPT's annual open house in Santa Maria Di Sala, Italy. In addition to displaying its Synthesis moving-column milling machine and Yasda multipallet machining center, there was a booth dedicated to...

$2.5+ million bearing order.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... VAI INDUSTRIES UK LTD., SHEFFIELD, UK, A DESIGNER and builder of manufacturing plants for metals industries, has ordered more than $2.5 million worth of tapered, cylindrical, and ball bearings from The Timken Co., Canton, Ohio. The larger...

Manufacturing erosion threatens standard of living.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... AMERICANS COULD BE FACING A LOWER STANDARD of living, cautions a new study commissioned by the Council of Manufacturing Associations, Washington, D.C. Reportedly, this decline is "virtually assured" if the U.S. manufacturing base continues to...

New Swarovski facility includes Emco Maier machines.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... SWAROVSKI'S NEW TRAINING CENTER IN WATTENS, Austria, houses machine tools from Emco Maier GmbH, Hallein, Austria. About 40 Emco machines are used at the training center, including the FB-3 and 4, PC Mill 155, EMCOMAT 17D, and PCTurn 155 for...

Ford building new engine in Ohio.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... FORD MOTOR CO. IS INVESTING $335 MILLION IN ITS Lima, Ohio, engine plant to build an all-new, fuel-efficient, 3.5-1 V-6 engine. The all-aluminum, dual-overhead-cam, 24-valve Duratec 35 engine will power future Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury...

New distributors.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... MERITAGE INC., SANTA FE SPRINGS, CALIF., IS NOW AN authorized CNC preferred distributor of Six Sigma Lean Manufacturing services from GE Fanuc Automation Americas Inc., Charlottesville, Va. Also, LaMarche Machinery, Edmonton, Alta., now...

Manufacturing systems on order.(Talking Shop)
September 1, 2003... DAIMLER CHRYSLER IS RECEIVING TWO TURNKEY manufacturing systems from Liberty Precision Industries, Rochester, to produce lower control arms for the Dodge Durango. The systems are comprised of four twin-spindle BA-600 HMCs, a Wes-Tech automated...

Let's put the savings to good use.(Government Matters)
September 1, 2003... WITH TODAYS HYPER-partisan political climate in Washington, it is difficult to get a large number of Senators to agree on anything. However, 44 Senators (23 Republicans and 21 Democrats), led by Sens. Gordon Smith (R, Oreg.) and John Breaux (D,...

Take a macro approach to micromachining.(Machine of the Month)
September 1, 2003... ACCORDING TO DATRON PRESIDENT Dr. Walter Schnecker, the M35 Aluminator delivers ultra-high speed machining via a 60,000 rpm spindle with incomparable value for tooling applications up to 0.25-in. O.D. on aluminum and other non-ferrous...

Optimize speeds and feeds.(Bits & Bytes)
September 1, 2003... ESPRIT 2003 FEATURES KNOWLEDGEBASE WITH TechSolve's CutData. Referencing workpiece materials, machining operations, cutting depths, and cutter materials, it selects the best spindle speed and feedrate for a given cutting situation. CutData...

Software supports B-axis machining.(Bits & Bytes)
September 1, 2003... PARTMAKER NOW SUPPORTS 5-AXIS MACHINING TO accommodate B-axis machining on a multi-axis lathe. The B-axis module supports machining in indexed features like inclined holes. Users simply enter the inclination angle when describing a hole...

Get in step with part programming.(Bits & Bytes)
September 1, 2003... ST-PLAN v1.0 CREATES INDEPENDENT CNC MACHINE control files from STEP (AP-203 or A-214) data. The software program defines tolerances, features, processes, and tool requirements needed for machining. Developed in conjunction with Honeywell...

Software integration for efficient NC programs.(Bits & Bytes)
September 1, 2003... VERICUT 5.3 FEATURES A TIGHT INTEGRATION WITH Catia V5. The Catia V5-to-Vericut interface integrates the two programs so users can create the most accurate and efficient NC programs possible," states Bill Hasenjaeger, CGTech's product marketing...

Software offers functionality and easy programming.(Bits & Bytes)
September 1, 2003... THE LATEST RELEASE OF POWERMILL CAM SOFTWARE, PowerMill 5, includes a streamlined user interface, new opportunities for programming automation, improved rest roughing, variable-thickness machining, and more comprehensive collision checking. In...

Employee injured during medical exam.(Law & Liability)
September 1, 2003... Thomason v. Contour Fabricators Inc., 662 N.W.2d 51 (Mich.App. 2003), Court of Appeals of Michigan, January 17, 2003. PATRICIA THOMASON, AN EMPLOYEE of Contour Fabricators Inc., a Michigan company, suffered a disabling nerve injury when...

Product-liability claim reinstated.(Law & Liability)
September 1, 2003... Sprung v. MTR Ravensburg Inc., 788 N.E.2d 620 (N.Y.App. 2003), New York Court of Appeals, April 3, 2003. RONALD SPRUNG WAS EMPLOYED AS an assembler at the General Electric Turbine Assembly Plant in Schenectady, N.Y., affixing metal fan...

Shop thrives on high volumes and long runs.(Shop Shots)
September 1, 2003... SOME SHOPS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A JOB THAT RUNS FOR six months, But Curtis Screw Co, Inc. not only passes up such jobs, it also shies away frown ones that run for as long as two years. Instead, the New York-based producer of machined components...

Keeping productivity on track: automated cells transport shop into 21st century machining.(Cellular Machining)
September 1, 2003... In three short years, Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool Inc. (EBM) has transitioned from a 60-man jobshop running three manned shifts to a 30-man jobshop running one manned shift and one completely unmanned. The company has also gone from 23 machine...

Joint effort puts productivity on the table: machine tool builder and worktable company exceed customer expectations.(Partners In Productivity)
September 1, 2003... Not just any worktables are on the 12 machining centers Kingsbury built for Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., a Tier I and II auto supplier in Montague, Mich. The machine tool OEM teamed up with Koma Precision, Warehouse Point, Conn., and...

EMO Milan 2003 draws international participation: for eight days in October, Milan will become the world's showplace of technology.(International)
September 1, 2003... Manufacturers from around the world are all facing the same challenge--how to compete in a global market. They must endure a never-ending battle in the fight to gather information on process innovations and new developments, understand...

Machine comes in two models.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE BRETON ULTRIX 800 HIGH-SPEED machining center has a mobile bridge for both vertical and horizontal milling, turning, and grinding. There are two versions--the Basic with four axes and the RT with five. High-frequency spindles deliver 40...

Machining center acceleration, speed increases.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE STORM 1100 MACHINING CENTER NOW ACCELERATES as fast as 3.5 [msec.sup.2] and moves at 40 m/min. With a U 8000 head, machine rpm increases 30%. The machine's updated chain-type tool magazine holds as many as 100 tools. An optional tool...

Nonrotating bars feed machine.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... NONROTATING bars feed the Trans-Bar 55+ horizontal-axis transfer machine. Its integrated bar loader feeds in the first of 12 working stations, Self-centering chucks or collets secure nonrotating parts, and up to 21 spindles machine from every...

Fast data transfer.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... FASTWIRE, A DIGITAL PROTOCOL, REPORTEDLY ALLOWS Osai's 10/Series numerical controls read and transfer data faster and connect and control more remote modules. Connection of the CNC is through a single high-speed cable. FastWire also lets the...

Machine includes ten-station table.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE VERTIMAC AZ18/E 716 CN/10-V transfer machine shown in Milan will be equipped with a 10-station rotary table and 18 CNC electrospindle unit heads. The heads come with a heavy-duty quill measuring 180 mm in diameter and Z-axis stroke of 160...

Simultaneous 5-axis machining.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... WITH A SWIVEL AXIS IN THE SPINDLE and CNC rotary axes, the DMC 75 V linear VMC switches to 5-axis machining. These two axes have direct drives and are in unison with the machine's three high-speed linear axes. Linear drives on the 75 V...

Pallet changer demonstration.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... HERMLE'S NEW PALLET CHANGERS will be demonstrated with a C 40 U machining center. Available in 500 and 630-mm sizes, the pallet changer allows the operator access to the machine workspace; multiple loading capabilities, including gantry and...

Multitasking machine.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... HARDPOINT 300 MACHINES COMBINE turning, drilling, milling, and grinding. They configure with up to four main spindles and various tooling combinations to provide fully automatic, synchronous cutting of complex workpiece geometries measuring up...

Multispindle produces complex parts.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... WITH EIGHT SPINDLES AND AN INTEGRATED BARFEEDER, THE MULTIDECO 20/8b machines workpieces measuring up to 20 mm in diameter. It produces complex parts using cross milling/drilling with 23 simultaneous axes, six cross slides, and spindle and...

Fast wire EDM.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE AGIECUT PROGRESS 2 WIRE EDM cuts at 47 [in..sup.2]/hr using coated wire and at 37 [in..sup.2]/hr with standard brass wire. With a new IPG generator, the Progress 2 maintains these speeds at various cutting heights. It also reaches high...

Aerospace and die/mold milling.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE RAPID SERIES OF BRIDGE-TYPE milling machines meets the requirements of aerospace and die/mold industries. Their thermosymmetrical structures withstand great loads and torsion torques. The linear bearing systems on all three axes are...

Grinding and resharpening interface.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... AN INTERFACE DEVELOPED BY ZOLLER and NUM Guettinger links the Numrotoplus machine control to the Genius 3 tool measuring and inspection machine. The interface allows automatic data exchange between the tool-inspection and tool-grinding...

Program on or off line.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... WITH STUDER GRIND SOFTWARE, operators generate grinding programs on-line on the machine or off-line with an external computer. A grinding technology support program helps users choose the correct grinding parameters. It also aids in determining...

Versatile boring tools.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... COROBORE 820 BORING TOOLS WITH internal-coolant-supply capability have a range of 1.378 to 10.236 in. and go to a depth up to 4 x diameter. Three cutting edges allow more penetration. Tool bodies, slides, shims, and cutting inserts let the...

Chucks have large throughholes.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THW PLUS QUICK JAW CHANGE Chucks now have larger throughholes, improved grease retention, and better sealing from particles/coolants. The chucks also have a safety that prevents removal of the chuck wrench if the jaw is not properly installed....

Interchangeable tooling.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... NCT SCREW-FIT HEADS LET TOOLS with varying cutting edges, geometries, and adapters be interchangeable. They also work as toolholders. A complete screw-fit system is available in 1/2 to 1 1/2-in. diameters and different tool...

Guideways for small areas.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE MINIRAIL SERIES IS TWO-ROW miniature guideways of stainless steel for compact environments. Applications include metrology, automation, and microelectronics. There are four standard sizes--7, 9, 12, and 15--and four more in its wider...

HMC handles heavy cuts.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE DHC-400 HMC's RIGID, one-piece bed is heavily ribbed to prevent deformation from heavy cutting forces. A 25-hp motor drives the machine's 40-taper spindle, which is kept tooled with a 40-station ATC. High-precision double-nut...

Turning center handles multiple small tasks.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE MT2500 MULTI-AXIS TURNING CENTER TACKLES MULTIPLE SMALL processing tasks. Using a zero-center headstock, the MT2500 minimizes displacement of the spindle center position and increases machining accuracy in the radial direction. The machine...

One drill body, four drillheads.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... A CHAMDRILL JET DRILL BODY HANDLES four different drillheads for four material groups. Each drill body accommodates 10 standard drillhead sizes m a 0.04-in.-diameter range. Drillhead types include the IDP for steel, IDM for stainless steel and...

CMM uses linear recirculating ball bearings.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... SOLD IN EUROPE AS QUARTZ, THE One CNC coordinate measuring machine uses linear recirculating ball bearings, rather than air ones, eliminating an air supply. The unit's X-axis carriage and Z-axis ram are made from an aluminum/silicon carbide...

VMC features nonmetallic liner.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE PERFORMANCE SERIES VMC 3020's hardened-and-ground boxways, lined with nonmetallic turcite on all gibs and way surfaces, minimize friction and dampen vibration. When combined with a positive-displacement lubrication system, stickslip is...

Simple, powerful lathe.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE TL-1 TOOLROOM LATHE OFFERS a maximum cutting diameter of 16 in. and maximum cutting length of 30 in. Its part swing is 16 in. over the front apron and 8.5 m. over the cross slide. A 7.5-hp vector-drive spindle delivers up to 1,800 rpm and...

Lathe showcases guideways.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE QUEST MULTITASKING CNC LATHE FEATURES HYDROGLIDE, A PATENTED hydrostatic linear guideway system. According to the manufacturer, HydroGlide-equipped machines produce surface finishes in the 0.1-[mu]-Ra range and part roundness to 0 127-[mu]...

Coolants display.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... HANGSTERFER'S LABORATORIES SUPPLIES coolants including soluble oils, semisynthetics, and full synthetics. It also provides cutting oils for machining and Swiss-style automatic screw machines. Drawing and forming compounds, cleaners, rust...

LED lights.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... LOC-LITES ARE LED LIGHTS THAT ARE waterproof and require only a twist to turn on or off. The manufacturer reports a light's batteries last for more than 100 hr, and its rubber-coated magnet does not scratch painted surfaces. All light...

Ceramic balls for bearings.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, CERBEC CERAMIC BALLS FOR BEARINGS LAST and perform better than steel balls because of low thermal expansion, smooth surfaces, increased hardness and stiffness, light weight, and corrosion/electrical-resistant...

Latest software release.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... ESPIRIT 2003, ITS DEVELOPER REPORTS, contains hundreds of advancements for its four product lines--SolidMill, SolidTurn, SolidMillTurn, and SolidWire. SolidMillTurn is a new product with five programming levels for multifunction, multi-axis...

Software for watch/jewelry applications.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... IN ADDITION TO EXHIBITING GibbsCAM, Gibbs and Associates will also demonstrate custom 5-axis modules for watch and jewelry applications. ProAXYZ 5As, the base module, supports surface flow, zigzag, unidirectional, and spiral cutting. The...

High-speed milling tools.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... HSC SHRINK-FIT END MILLS FOR HIGH-SPEED MILLING COME IN 0.2 TO 6-MM DIAMETERS AND WITH A 6-MM SHANK. The square-end and ballnose-style cutters feature two flutes and a reduced neck in various dimensions to accommodate different cutting depths....

Platform diagnoses machine problems.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE EPS NETWORK PROVIDES AN INTERNET PLATFORM FOR MACHINE manufacturers and other vendors to market value-added services to end users. With its basic service, ePS servers access machine configurations in the CNC, process it, and route it back...

Dedicated chamfer-milling parameters.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... THE LATEST RELEASE OF SURFCAM CAD/CAM SOFTWARE INCLUDES A dedicated operation and user interface for chamfer milling. The software uses specific chamfer tools to generate toolpaths to break the sharp outside edges of models after machining....

Custom tools from standard components.(EMO Products)
September 1, 2003... A COMPLETE LINE OF METRIC REDUCERS, available from Criterion for its modular boring systems, lets users create custom-boring tools with standard components. The reducers fit Cri-Bore (right) and Cri-Twin systems and include four 76-mm-diameter,...

Idea makes child's play of tool centering.(Practical Ideas)
September 1, 2003... BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE CHILD'S TOY "PLAY-DOH" modeling clay works for setting center heights of boring bars and internal-grooving tools on CNC lathes. What I do is sharpen a point on the shank end of a small-diameter drill (around 0.030-in....

Shop-floor sharpening.(Practical Ideas)
September 1, 2003... FLATTENING AND CLEANING HAND-SHARPENING STONES IS EASY USING A handful of grinding dust and abrasive grit from a dry surface grinder. With the dust in a small pile on a concrete floor, I press the stone into the pile and then move the stone in...

Premium barstock gives shop what it pays for.(Case books)
September 1, 2003... FOR QUALITY PLUS PRECISION PRODUCTS in Victor, N.Y., cost savings from using commodity stainless steel machining barstock didn't improve the bottom line. Because of variations in the bargain-priced stock, the shop's machines continually needed...

Upgrade to VMCs streamlines production.(Case books)
September 1, 2003... THE OTTENWELLER CO.'S MACHINING DEPARTMENT supports the shop's main effort in sheetmetal and plate fabrication. The department has always used standard knee mills but needed something with a bit more efficiency and sophistication. Vertical...

Quality system increases engine output.(Case books)
September 1, 2003... NEW V-8 DIESEL ENGINES MAKE their way through machining and assembly production lines that are nearly one mile long at International Truck and Engine Corp.'s plants in Huntsville, Ala., and Indianapolis. At each facility, the process includes...