Summer is upon us and, in most parts of the country, that means heat and humidity are on the rise. For CNC machine shops, increasing temperatures and humidity levels are more than a physical discomfort. They represent a real danger for the electronic components of machine tools, computers and other shop equipment.
Any parent knows the frustration of asking a child why he or she did something they don’t approve of and getting a lame excuse (quite often: “I don’t know”). How do we typically respond? By telling the child “That’s no excuse!” and insisting the behavior be corrected.
For those who have through tool coolant delivery systems on their CNC machines, keeping the coolant pins clean and functioning, and replacing them as needed should be part of your planned preventative maintenance program. However, some shops forget about these small items and the result can be costly.
A video production from Gosiger Automation & Fanuc demonstrates a production cell that uses a Fanuc M-10iA Robot positioned at the side of a Hardinge Super Precision T-Series Turning Center, so the robot does not interfere with access to the machine tool. This is a unique configuration as the robot must reach around the machine to load and unload the workpiece.
This video explains how a Gosiger-developed aftermarket steady rest interface with an integrated operator control panel allows the CNC machine operator to control and monitor the steady rest, and provides program setup without switching screens.
No CNC shop owner or manager wants to impede production with unnecessary meetings. However, if properly conducted, purposeful meetings can actually have a positive effect on productivity and employee morale. With a little advance planning and by establishing a few ground rules up front, you can conduct more effective meetings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
If you don’t have experience machining aluminum alloys but you’d like to expand your capabilities to solicit work from aerospace companies, here are a few points to consider:
Most of us enjoy knowing that those we report to value the work that we do. It makes us feel worthwhile and respected. And because we all have different personalities, some of us may need to hear these words of appreciation more often than others. However, if the only time employees hear they are doing a good job is during their annual performance reviews, it’s a safe bet morale isn’t everything it could be. So step one for any manager who wants to motivate his or her employees to operate at peak performance, is to make it a habit to praise them whenever the opportunity presents itself.
For many years advances in metalworking manufacturing technology centered on increasing throughput and reducing cycle times through faster spindle speeds and feed rates, improved tooling, and the emergence of multi-function CNC machining centers. Today, these factors are taken for granted as ongoing improvements in machine tool performance are expected. The current trends in technology focus less on the machine tools themselves, and more on other aspects of the manufacturing process. Here are some of the more prominent trends we see:
Robotic automation is transforming modern manufacturing by eliminating repetitive, labor-intensive functions thus freeing machine operators to concentrate on programming, setup and other important tasks. As a result, they enable manufacturers to be more productive and competitive. Here are a few facts about industrial robots you may not be aware of.