In general, most people who talk about sustainability concentrate on the global environmental issues that make headlines, but they often overlook basic elements that drive sustainable practices in machining. This naturally includes the optimization of cutting systems for faster, more aggressive machining, but sustainability must also include the basic elements of price, cost,…
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Manufacturers continually seek ways to maximize productivity and efficiency. Today, those efforts frequently involve high-level programs that employ buzzwords that include cloud computing, data-driven manufacturing, cyber-physical systems and Industry4.0. These advanced initiatives are excellent concepts and can produce impressive results. However, manufacturing realities often interfere with the implementation of such ambitious plans, and…
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In the first part (found here), we discussed fundamental principles of machining (shops) and challenges along the way. Evolving strategies such as those that leverage data acquisition are becoming more widely known and used, but still many shops – particularly within the High Mix, Low Volume (HMLV) segment – are missing out, at…
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Fundamental principle – All machining shops face the same task: converting raw material into finished workpieces. The products must be machined to the specified level of quality, completed in the required quantity and delivered within the desired amount of time. Sustainability considerations and environmental issues must be addressed as well. To remain competitive…
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