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PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Even though a machine tool spindle is a high-precision machine component, more often than not it is handled carelessly, forced to perform well beyond design limitations, or otherwise abused to the breaking point. Ed Zitney of SKF Machine Tool Services shows how proper care and maintenance can make all the difference in both its operation and longevity in service.
NON-WOVEN ABRASIVES EXPAND RIGHT ANGLE GRINDING POSSIBILITIES
Right angle grinders have traditionally used grinding wheels, fiber discs, wire brushes, and flap discs for stripping, deburring, blending, prepping and finishing. But David Long of Saint-Gobain Abrasives explains why non-woven abrasives are now replacing traditional coated abrasives as a faster and more cost effective method.
Improving Feedability in Aluminum Welding
Due to the poor column strength of aluminum, the wire easily bends or twists when pushed through a typical GMAW wire feeder and gun system, causing “bird-nesting.” Thom Burns of AltoTec shares some ways to prevent this problem.
PLASMA CUTTING: VERSATILE FOR BOTH MANUAL AND MECHANIZED CUTTING APPLICATIONS
The cut quality, consumable life and reliability of the plasma cutters used in the past is just that – a memory of the past! Let’s evaluate the different categories of new plasma cutting systems to show how they can benefit those fabricators of steel parts that have traditionally used traditionally oxy-fuel cutting.
The Evolution of the Hybrid Laser Arc Welding Revolution
Moving Beyond “Wait and See”: Geoff Lipnevicius of Lincoln Electric examines how the hybrid revolution is building momentum as manufacturers embrace the higher travel speeds, increased depth of penetration and deposition rates of a ‘hybrid’ materials-joining process that captures the unique advantages of two distinct sources of energy – laser power and arc welding.
Prairie Muffins: THE U.S. Debt Ceiling
A Reckless Threat: The clock is winding down as the markets anxiously wait for the honorables to make a decision about the government debt ceiling. Here’s the kicker: Even if the latest round of budget talks fail, well-known economist Peter Morici explains why the U.S. does not have to default on national debt and why higher taxes are not needed.
Closing the Wall Street Casino
The Elephant In The Room: Guest columnist and well-known economist Peter Morici shares some thought-provoking business insights in this great analysis of why kids are going to school to get degrees and no one is making things.
HELP – HILFE – AIUTO – AYUDA . . .
IN ANY LANGUAGE, YOUR CNC CAN FIND ANSWERS
Randy Pearson of Siemens Industry explains how, with help screens, full instruction manuals and troubleshooting advice embedded in various languages at the touch of a button, today’s CNC can help machine tool operators identify and overcome most in-cycle problems quickly, so they can make more parts.
FABRICATING RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE WELDING OF TWO-SIDED GROOVE WELDS
Regis Geisler of Lincoln Electric explores some real-world considerations and practices to improve quality and productivity during the welding of two-sided butt joints that are frequently used in pressure vessels and wind tower construction.
THE BASICS OF SAFETY:
PROCESS-BASED SAFETY
Proactive Prevention: In Part Three of his back-to-basics series on worker safety, Phil La Duke of Rockford Greene examines a safety philosophy based upon engineering injuries out of a process during the design stage when it is far less costly.
WHAT’S UNDER THE HOOD:
SOLID STATE OR CO2
Deciding what type of power plant (resonator) will go into your laser machine must be a decision based upon the materials you will be processing and the style of resonator that offers the best performance and the lowest total cost of operation. Al Bohlen of Trumpf explores some specific considerations to think about.
THE FOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SPINDLE REPAIR
In the decision-making process on how best to return a failed spindle into service, Ed Zitney of SKF Services answers four frequently asked questions that are applicable to any operation considering spindle remanufacture.
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