Toolcraft Industry News

December 26, 2017

Typically, when you hear someone talk about “The Beauty That’s All Around Us” they’re referring to things like sunsets, smiling babies or—for one troubled teenage filmmaker—plastic bags blowing in the wind. Let’s be honest: those examples have been done to death. If you really want to find examples of unappreciated beauty, look no further than […]

December 18, 2017

Advanced abrasive solutions can outperform traditional machining processes for operational savings. The aerospace industry is known for using materials that defy machining with conventional tools and processes. The properties of these materials – high-strength at high temperature that allows the components to survive in the hostile environment of an aerospace engine – are the same […]

December 11, 2017

Computerized numerical control technology continues to evolve to meet high productivity, stringent aerospace industry quality demands. In automated aerospace assembly, computer numerical controls (CNCs) are better able to address complex interpolated motion than programmable logic controllers (PLCs). CNC technologies are finding increased application in complex airframe alignment tooling, robot control, additive machining, fiber placement and […]

December 4, 2017

The Computer Numerical Controls (CNC) market is set to grow due to the demand of production efficiency. CNC machines have been a staple of manufacturers but they are now being paired with automation systems and simulation software to increase production. The addition of 3D printing machines onto the factory floor has also increased the demand […]

November 27, 2017

Part 2 highlights common practices that focus on manufacturability and cost when designing and creating parts. A part’s features sometimes make it more difficult to manufacture, or can increase cost and time. Understanding what affects the difficulty, time consumed, and/or cost of a part that needs to be machined is important. The following presents tips […]

November 27, 2017

What exactly is computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) machining? It’s a means to make parts by removing material via high-speed, precision robotic machines that use an array of cutting tools to create the final design. CNC machines commonly used to create the geometric shapes required by customers are vertical milling machines, horizontal milling machines, and lathes. To successfully […]

November 20, 2017

Toolholding for rotating round tools—end mills, drills, and taps—continues to evolve with innovative designs aimed at guaranteeing precision, security, and repeatability. As a result, suppliers of toolholding technology have made supporting the precision, security, and repeatability of shrink-fit, mechanical, and hydraulic toolholding the highest priority. You don’t have to look any further than the recent […]

November 13, 2017

New orders still rising through late summer, as manufacturing technology rides multiple indicators of expansion for seventh consecutive month of recover U.S. manufacturers ordered $380.16 million worth of new machine tools during August, 15.7% more than in July and 14.3% more than in August 2016. According to AMT – the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology, the […]

November 6, 2017

Double-digit increases show growing demand from machine shops, manufacturers U.S. machine shops and other manufacturers consumed $191.93 million worth of cutting tools during May, increasing 14.2% from the April consumption level and rising 15.5% over total consumption for May 2016. May represents the fourth month of rising consumption out of five months of 2017. For the current […]

October 30, 2017

Index to manufacturing activity declined from May but rose 6.0% versus the June 2016 total. U.S. manufacturers, including machine shops, consumed $186.57 million worth of cutting tools during June, a decline of 2.8% from the May consumption level and yet 6.0% higher than the June 2016 level. Cutting tool consumption is offered as a reliable index to […]