Production Machining's Top 10 June Hits

Source: (top left) PMPA, (top right) JD Machine, (bottom left) Additive Manufacturing Media, (bottom right) Haimer

What do 8 Cybersecurity Best Practices to Implement, Machining’s Impact on Sustainability, and Your CNC Shop's Appearance Matters all have in common? They were all in our top 10 most-viewed articles in June! Take a look at what you might have missed or revisit a favorite article.

10. Embracing Second Chances: The Untapped Potential of Hiring the Justice-Impacted

Source: Adobe Stock Images

In today's competitive job market, the need for skilled workers extends beyond precision machining to nearly every career field. While traditional trade schools are one source, they alone can't meet the demand. Companies can leverage employee referrals and tap into a valuable but often-overlooked talent pool: justice-impacted individuals.

9. 8 Cybersecurity Best Practices to Implement

Source: Getty Images

Cyber criminals employ a wide range of tactics to breach your defenses and exploit system vulnerabilities. By staying informed about these common threats, you can better prepare your business to face them head-on.

8. Simulated Complete Machining of EV Aluminum Inverter Cases

Source: PM

The number of robots on display at manufacturing trade shows continues to rise. At EMO 2023 in Hannover, Germany, FANUC America Corporation presented a simulated automated manufacturing cell producing aluminum electric vehicle (EV) inverter cases.
This production cell demonstrated the machining of these parts part in four and five axes using two Robodrill α-DiB Plus series machining centers including turning operations using DDR-HSiB high-speed rotary tables. Watch the demo.

7. Machining’s Impact on Sustainability

Source: Haimer

Sustainability is crucial due to limited resources and high energy costs. In machining, factors like part material, geometry, quantities, machine tools, tooling, and clamping devices play a role. External factors like production location, employee skills, and automation also matter. The best, most economical, and sustainable manufacturing solution varies by case, but comparisons can be challenging. Observing the entire process and its factors when it comes to their influences on energy usage is key.

6. Lone Shop Machinist Benefits From Five-Axis CAM Modules

Source: Open Mind Technologies

Nick Katrov's decision to start his own machine shop wasn't just about wanting to be a one-man operation. With early machinist experience and years in management roles at major machine tool manufacturers and distributors, he worked with industry giants like General Electric, Pratt and Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and Bombardier. In this article, Katrov details five-axis strategies for more efficient milling of parts with challenging geometries, free-form surfaces and deep cavities.

5. Chuck Jaws Achieve 77% Weight Reduction Through 3D Printing

Source: Additive Manufacturing Media

When Alpha Precision Group in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, acquired its first metal 3D printer in 2018, the goals were to experiment with parts for metal injection molding (MIM) and create durable CNC machining fixtures. One of the initial applications for metal 3D printing became a valuable business opportunity, serving both its sister machining business and external customers.

4. One Shop’s Tale to More Standardized Tool Organization

Source: JD Machine

Nearly every leading manufacturer today uses some aspect of lean manufacturing's 5S concept — Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain — to maintain an organized workplace. Ogden, Utah's JD Machine Corp. is a prime example, though this wasn't always the case. Learn how they discovered a more sophisticated way to standardize tooling storage for its various production cells in this article.

3. Your CNC Machine Shop's Appearance Matters

Source: JD Machine

In this article, an architect who designed a machine shop’s new facility to offer a more modern and inviting look walks through the process and offers advice for other manufacturers considering such a makeover.

2. Replaceable-Insert Spade Drill Basics, Advantages

Source: Allied Machine and Engineering

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.

1. Craftsman Cribsheet No. 128: Why Do Machinists Say Tenths Instead of Ten Thousandths?

Source: PMPA

Why do we say "tenths" in our shop? What is a tenth? Why do non-machinists get confused? This topic often comes up in conversations and online. Many well-meaning "civilians" insist, "It's not a tenth, it's one ten-thousandth. Tenths are the first place after the decimal." We clarify why tenths are the correct term in this article.