No matter how well a CNC machine tool is designed and built, certain components will eventually wear out over time. In the same way, no matter how well trained your staff is, it’s human nature that accidents, such as turret crashes, can happen. When breakdowns occur, for whatever reasons, you’ll want to get your machines up and running as soon as possible.
Like it or not, the U. S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) is now law, and small businesses should be aware of their responsibilities and the impact it may have on their businesses.
Many CNC machine shops have discovered that diversifying into new industries and, consequently, expanding the kinds of parts they produce is a key to growth in good times and a way to survive when the economy suffers. In many cases this means breaking out of their comfort zones and taking on more challenging work. When a company that traditionally makes fairly simple parts expands into aerospace, medical or other markets that have more complex and closer tolerance parts, they need to carefully consider what it takes to compete.
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: