PM Blog

Medical 25 Oct 2005

Forming Hex Holes For Bone Screws

Close tolerances and quality surface finish are critical in successful medical machining. To meet such requirements in broaching titanium and stainless steel bone screws, with machined depths ranging anywhere between 0.080 and 0.150 inches, Hassay Savage Company (Turners Falls, Massachusetts) has recently developed an indexing-broach process using four-point or two-point punch broaches for use in Swiss-type CNC lathes.

Cutting Tools 12 Oct 2005

Putting More Teeth In Thread Whirling

When it comes to producing OD threads in difficult-to-machine metals, few processes are as fast or as efficient as the thread whirling process. Although the process is not new, its popularity is increasing because of the growing availability of thread whirling tooling for single-spindle Swiss screw machines that provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to investing in dedicated thread whirling machines.

Transfer Machines 11 Oct 2005

Rotary Transfer Machine’s Flexibility Spurs Shop’s Growth

Initially purchased for a high-volume job, this rotary transfer machine proves an efficient tool for short- to medium-run family-of-parts jobs as well.

15 Sep 2005

Technical Member Profile: Somma Tool

Somma Tool Company, Inc. offers a full line of tooling for screw machines, lathes and CNC machines. With 30 employees at its 28,000-square-foot facility in Waterbury, Connecticut, the company specializes in manufacturing cutting tools, holders and precision machining accessories.

15 Sep 2005

Career In The Precision Machining Industry: What's In It For You

Ready employment. There are real jobs available in the precision machining industry. I read the classified advertising sections in the Sunday newspapers every week.

Workforce Development 15 Sep 2005

Online Training--A Lesson In Reality

As machines become more complex, training becomes an even greater issue. Regardless of what machine features attract a customer, if the operator does not learn how to take advantage of these features, the machine can quickly become a white elephant.

Basics 15 Sep 2005

Quality's Role In Achieving The Goal

Eliyahu M. Goldratt's books, "The Goal" and "The Race" provide a clear approach on how to improve a manufacturing process.

15 Sep 2005

Rotary Sawing Takes A Turn In Cutoff Operations

Although Rotary Saw Cutting (RSC) has been used in cutoff operations since the 1940s, the process is still relatively unknown. However, Watkins Manufacturing Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio) is looking to enlighten more shops by showing them the benefits of their RSC systems known as SAW-lution Systems.

Bar Feeders 14 Sep 2005

Workholding Advantages Of Barstock

Barstock is versatile raw material. It’s easily held, easily fed and has significant capacity for many parts per bar. Usually we think of barstock and bar feeders in relation to turning machines. What about applying the advantages of automatically fed barstock to a vertical machining center?