Skip to content
SME Search Search Results

Displaying 61-70 of 540 results for

Casting clear Tooling & Workholding clear Lasers clear Fabrication clear

Remote Monitoring Reveals How to Boost Uptime on Laser Machines

East Iowa Machine Co. (EIMCo) in Farley, Iowa, is a full-service machine and fabrication shop. It is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing company, employing about 150 people on three shifts at its single 130,000 ft2 (12,077 m3) location, and converts raw metals into finished component parts and assemblies using a wide variety of CNC equipment and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.

How Indexable Tools Keep Their Edge

Sales figures don’t lie: indexable cutting tools—featuring removable cutting tips called inserts—are a smash hit with machine shops.

Modular Quick-Change Systems Not Created Equal

While the initial investment for a modular quick-change tooling system is higher than that of traditional toolholders, significantly improving the connection between spindles and tooling is well worth it.

Shops Use Shrink-Fit with Presetters for Toolholding Efficiency

Unlike its name, the use of shrink-fit tooling is expanding. A shrink-fit toolholder starts with a slightly undersize bore that is heated to enlarge the inner diameter enough to accept a cutting tool and then grip the cutter as it cools and contracts.

How to Choose the Best Toolholding System for Your Shop

Many job shops hold onto traditional, inexpensive tooling systems. ER collets and Weldon flats are tried and true; they work and are proven. At the same time, newer, advanced machining technology, such as multi-axis machines, may perform better when newer, advanced (and more expensive) toolholders are deployed.

Rough Boring vs. Finish Boring

There’s more than one way to finish a hole. The most effective option will depend on the number of parts, cycle time and tolerances. One of the most effective options is boring.

Double-Duty Lasers

As laser manufacturing systems for sheet and tube grow more sophisticated—powerful, automated and scalable—navigating the wealth of choices might feel daunting.