June 2008 Edition

IMTS COUNTDOWN

Counting down to IMTS - Part I
This begins a three-part preview of the International Manufacturing Technology Show, 2008, taking place in Chicago from September 8 to 13

VERTICAL MACHINING CENTERS

Stringing Along Energy Development
Pipe strings down oil well bores have to be stabilized with collars cut from huge forgings. A manufacturer of the stabilizers incorporated new machines to do the job.

CAD/CAM

The Right Software Led to Shop Success
After striking out on his own, a shop entrepreneur found a CAD/CAM package that saved him time and money, as well as solving “impossible” problems

MEASUREMENT/INSPECTION

The Proof is in the Plastic
Three-dimensional printing technology translated scans of the space shuttle tiles for safety evaluation. The same technology allows proof of concept before metal is machined.

CUTTING TOOLS

Carbide to the Rescue
A carbide end mill that finished the job in two hours, instead of three-and-a half days, ended a backlog for an oil industry manufacturer

WELDING

The Rule of Ones
Implementing Lean Manufacturing concepts and standardizing welding processes let a shop decrease downtime and quality variance

SWISS TURNING

A Swiss Turning Center Turns Problems into Profits
Minimizing turning operations between centers was the goal and a new Swiss turning center met it

DEPARTMENTS

Editor's Corner
Isn’t it about time to drop our gender blinders about which sex belongs in the shop?

Industry News

NexTECH
What's on the Cutting Edge of Technology

From the Shop Floor
Dealing with complex cuts in a tricky alloy – part two

Leonardo’s Notebook
Eggs and chickens, something must come first

Controlling Interest
Simulation software and new technologies

Spotlight: Deburring and Finishing

New Products

The Last Word
Cutting the “fat” from business can mean freeing money for investment or new business mining