In the late 1800s, a new technology — Swiss-type machines — emerged to serve Switzerland’s growing watchmaking industry. Today, Swiss-machined parts are ubiquitous, and there’s a good reason for that: No other machining technology can produce tiny, complex components more efficiently or at higher quality.
Rotary transfer machines remain well-suited for high-volume production, but are now more accommodating to smaller batch sizes.
This leading manufacturer of non-lubricated robotic gears uses a seven-axis turn-mill to machine components from “amorphous” metals such as bulk metallic glasses.
A handful of shops share their stories about the how’s and why’s of adding their first Swiss-type CNC turning centers.
This multifaceted manufacturer has added CNC sliding-headstock turning technology to complement its established mold tooling production and new injection molding capabilities as it continues to pursue complex medical work along a vertically integrated path.
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.
High-speed spindle technology was key to effective milling of small cardiac monitoring components complete on a CNC sliding-headstock machine platform instead of running them across two mills.
Finding a way to fixture contoured marine propellors proved to be this shop’s biggest challenge in developing an effective automated machining and turning cell.
Individual elements of the machining process such as machine tools, tooling and even CAD/CAM software play a role in overall machine shop sustainability. Observing the entire process especially when it comes to their influences on energy usage is key.
Although solid carbide and indexable-insert drills have their place in a machine shop, replaceable-insert spade drills offer specific advantages for various holemaking operations on machining centers and lathes.
Alpha Precision Group (APG) has developed an innovative workholding design for faster spindle speeds through sinter-based additive manufacturing.
Cutting tools play a key role in machining tiny screws on Swiss-type lathes for this Switzerland-based watch manufacturer.
This California shop owner applies five-axis strategies for more efficient milling of parts with challenging geometries, free-form surfaces and deep cavities.
Features in this line of machine-specific CNCs assist setups, offer synchronized movement commands and provide other standard, not optional, capabilities to streamline Swiss-type programming.
The ProShop Digital Ecosystem will be used as the inventory management and ERP system at Purdue University’s Industrial Engineering School.
Production Machining’s January 2024 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Monaghan Tooling Group, Okuma America, Tungaloy, Cortec Corp., Fixtureworks and T.J Davies Co. Inc.
Artificial intelligence offers the promise of assisting decision-making processes and boost overall manufacturing efficiency.
Production Machining’s December 2023 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Sandvik Coromant, Nikon Metrology, The L.S. Starrett Co., Walter USA, Kennametal and SolidCAM.
Verisurf will offer complete metrology solutions that combine its model-based inspection and measurement software, training and live technical support with Hexagon CMMs.
Zeiss Quality Innovation Days brings together quality and metrology experts from all over the world to take part in industry-specific sessions.
In this case, new controllers for two coordinate measuring machines — one 26 years old — with new programming software offers the possibility to enable multisensor inspection of critical, turned aerospace components.
Here are some tips for choosing, maintaining and customizing a granite solution that will best meet your shop’s particular inspection needs.
The platforms enables customers to source new and pre-owned CMMs powered by Verisurf software.
Many view quality control as such, but integrating new measurement technologies and approaches can ultimately minimize QC’s impact on throughput and a company’s bottom line.
One of the biggest themes at Automate 2024 was the use of software to make robots easier to use and more efficient.
Machine tools capable of performing multiple functions and machining parts to completion are becoming the standard rather than the exception. Incorporating automation into these systems allows for extended periods of operation without the need for operator intervention.
This software-centric technology aims to facilitate the connection between a robot and various other key elements of an automated, machine-tending process.
At EMO 2023 in Hannover, Germany, FANUC presented an automated manufacturing cell simulating the complete production and measurement of aluminum electric vehicle (EV) inverter cases.
Christopher Clark will provide sales, service and support for the full range of Stäubli customers in North America.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Production Machining’s June 2024 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Siemens, Ceratizit, Walter, Kennametal and more.
The Top Shops 2024 survey for the metalworking market is now live, alongside a new homepage collecting the stories of past Honorees. This year's survey ends April 30, though.
A CNC Swiss production supervisor took to LinkedIn to describe how he discovered a rotary parts collector in the pages of our publication and has since purchased and benefited from it.
IMTS 2024: Keyence introduces the LM-X Series Multisensor measurement system for high-performance measurement, automated inspection processes, accuracy and quality control.
IMTS 2024: Mastercam introduces Mastercam 2025, with features including Mastercam Deburr for automated edge finishing, finish passes, mill-turn support for Y-axis turning and automatic license update notifications.
IMTS 2024: Edge Technologies' product showcase includes a magazine feeder and short loader, as well as a bar feeder, pusher and separation system.
IMTS 2024: Mitutoyo America Corp. announces an addition to its linear height gage product line, providing simpler, more repeatable accuracy in measurement.
IMTS 2024: Paperless Parts highlights its quoting and collaboration software with automated BOM breakout from CAD models, AI-supported PDF extraction and more.
IMTS 2024: Speedgrip Chuck Co. showcases its QCR quick-change receiver to attach to CNC lathe spindles, as well two turning chucks designed to reduce the amount of time needed to change clamping and other workholding devices.
Thread rolling operations for Swiss-type lathes, multi-spindles and other turning equipment can be enhanced using online calculators to determine optimal process parameters.
This cell is able to perform joining, preheating and welding operations for rotor shafts used in electric vehicles.
This parts cleaning company is elevating its efforts to become a technical cleanliness expert, which presents an exciting, yet sometimes arduous, journey. The ongoing education of the team as well as significant investments in equipment and processes attribute to this shop’s success.
The SLV901 and SLV803 solvents are formulated to maintain cleaning efficacy while providing a safe, environmentally friendly alternative to processes that use PFAS and HFCs.
The Metalnox line of solvent products are designed to improve reliability and increase the ease of cleaning in vacuum and vapor degreasing processes.
MicroCare offers alternatives and expertise for replacing 3M Novec vapor degreasing fluids which are being discontinued, including fluoropolymers, fluorinated fluids and PFAS-based additive products.
Ecoclean’s Acoustic Performance Measurement (APM) system provides in-line measurement of ultrasonic frequency and power in fully automated immersion cleaning systems on a batch-by-batch basis or at defined time intervals, such as once a shift, day or week.
Participants who pass the program quizzes earn a certificate of successful completion, as well as 4 hours of continuing education credit from Sam Houston State University.
Join this webinar and discover how to overcome multi-channel mill-turn and Swiss CAM programming challenges using SolidCAM, with amazing machine simulation and customized post-processors tailored for your mill-turn and Swiss CNCs. Darrin Bryant, SolidCAM’s applications engineer, will highlight how to utilize SolidCAM's CAM software to enhance your CNC manufacturing and demonstrate how to optimally set up your projects for guaranteed success. Agenda: Major benefits of SolidCAM's single window integration and full associativity in Solidworks Embracing the future of increasingly complex CNC machines—including five-axis, Multi-Channel Mill-Turn and Swiss CNCs Exclusive features of SolidCAM's iMachining that provides much shorter cycle times and superior tool life Using iMachining Technology Wizard takes the guesswork out of defining cutting conditions and automatically provides optimal feeds and speeds while considering stock materials, cutting tools and CNC machine properties Using SolidCAM’s Toolkit to easily create customized precision project setups Highlighting the advantages of multiple verification options in SolidCAM Utilizing SolidCAM’s operations sequence manager to simplify synchronized part creation with fewer steps and higher success
The Precision Machining Technology Show is a great example of discovering ways shopfloor employees can become more efficient, thereby helping shops become more profitable.
I recently learned about a 153-year-old manufacturer that has produced billions upon billions of precision, metal pins which started another business making one-off wooden baseball bats. (Like I asked it to do for me and you’ll see at this year’s Precision Machining Technology Show). Here I explain why it’s worth the time to read that article.
PMTS 2023: The InchMax Series includes 2- and 4-flute square end mills which feature Union Tools’ UT coating and its standard Super Micro Grain carbide and tolerances.
PMTS 2023: Dayton Coating Technologies utilizes a distinct cleaning system to promote proper pretreatments for all parts before the coating process.
PMTS 2023: The Mazak Syncrex series comes in four bar capacities, ranging from 20 to 38 mm, and is available in 7-, 8- and 9-axis configurations as well as a 9-axis model with full B-axis contouring.
PMTS 2023: This tool management solution with Optik software is designed to help shops increase production output and decrease human error.
As he progressed to CNC Swiss lead and later to his current position as CNC Swiss production supervisor, Darrin Baker helped the Swiss department at Liberty Precision double its productivity, according to his nominator.
Over the past year, Mike Gresen has led his team through the process of opening a new Benchmark Electronics location without interrupting supply to customers and within the company budget, shutting down production for only three business days.
Instilling confidence throughout a shop floor can do wonders for company morale while increasing productivity.
Mike Medeiros, production manager at North Easton Machine Co., has been advocating CNC Swiss lathes for years, attempting to persuade his local high school’s administration to add the technology to the school’s machining program. Finally, his efforts paid off.
This 2023 Emerging Leader developed a product in response to a call for help from Yamaha that was a huge hit in the snowmobile industry when it hit the market in 2010. In fact, it is now a common product that most snowmobile OEMs have implemented.
Superb critical thinking, top-notch leadership skills and a passion for building a strong team are a few of the common traits held by this year’s five Production Machining Emerging Leader award winners.
Debuting in 2010, the Parts Cleaning Conference is the leading and most trusted manufacturing and industrial parts cleaning forum focused solely on delivering quality technical information in the specialized field of machined parts cleansing. Providing guidance and training to understand the recognized sets of standards for industrial cleaning, every year the Conference showcases industry experts who present educational sessions on the latest and most pressing topics affecting manufacturing facilities today. Discover all that the 2022 Parts Cleaning Conference has to offer!
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