Chatter. Poor tool life. Dimensions that don't repeat. These and other common machining problems can ruin an otherwise good day. A high-quality machine tool solves these shop floor woes, and does so for many years to come. Uptime goes way up. So does part accuracy and profit margins. Best of all? You'll have happier customers and [...]
Tired of waiting on external suppliers for outsourced parts? Or how about the "Oops, my bad" apologies you get when one of them ships a batch of nonconforming product?" You're not alone. Entrepreneurs, product developers, prototype shops dealing with increased demand—all of them wonder, "What can we do to improve our supply chain?" The answer? Wean [...]
CNC Machines for Aerospace Parts: What You Need to Know Precision, reliability, and repeatability are critical in the aerospace industry—and that’s exactly where CNC machines shine. From turbine blades to landing gear components, aerospace manufacturers rely on advanced CNC technology to meet tight tolerances and demanding material requirements. High-Performance Materials, High-Precision Machines Aerospace components are often [...]
Tariffs. Political divisions. A chronic skilled labor shortage. With all that's going on today, no one can predict what’s next for manufacturing. Even so, there are several ongoing machining trends helping to shape the future for CNC machine shops, whatever they make. And going forward, the most successful ones will be those that followed the Boy [...]
Kent CNC has introduced the New KHV-500 Combination Horizontal/Vertical Machining Center with the industry standard 0i-MD control by FANUC. By combining a horizontal machining center with a vertical machining center, this cutting-edge versatile machining center allows for faster setups and parts loading and unloading, improved accuracy, floor space maximization, and capital investment reduction. Two Spindles Are [...]
The rigger just called. Your first CNC lathe or machining center will arrive this Friday. You unpacked the toolholders last week. The workholding is ready. You’ve lined up the first few jobs. The big question now? What approach will you take on CNC programming? Will you buy a CAM system and sit through a training class or two? Or will [...]
High-speed machining was once a niche technology, known only to aerospace shops making large airframe components. No more. High-speed machining (HSM) use is now widespread. So are its counterparts high-feed (HFM) and high-efficiency (HEM) machining. All are now common in shops of all sizes and specialties. That said, shops wishing to pursue a more productive path [...]
Anyone who's watched an expensive carbide drill go up in smoke knows the importance of cutting fluids. And yet, the challenge is getting these fluids where they're needed most: in the work zone. That's where through-spindle coolant comes in. A common option on some brands of CNC machining center, "coolant-thru" increases tool life, productivity, and part [...]
The pallet changer has long been associated with high volume work on horizontal machining centers (HMCs). However, that paradigm is beginning to shift. Automakers and prototype shops alike find that machines such as Kent CNC’s KMH Auto Pallet HMC enjoy OEE levels (overall equipment effectiveness) much higher than those who swap parts by hand. Four-sided machining is possible, [...]
Best of Both Worlds – Horizontal and Vertical Trying to decide between a vertical or horizontal machining center? This Southern California job shop ordered the combo Vertical machining center (VMC) proponents say it’s the flexibility and lower cost that brought them to purchase this most common of CNC machine tools. Those who favor a horizontal machining [...]
