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SME Media Manufacturing Engineering Magazine Tooling and Workholding for Today’s Shop Floor Spring 2020

Tooling and Workholding for Today’s Shop Floor Spring 2020

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The CoroDrill 870 series by Sandvik Coromant, introduced in 2012, has undergone numerous refinements to improve wear resistance and rigidity.

Replaceable-Tip Tools Get Permanent Spot in Shop Inventories

April 13, 2020
When weighing the choice of replaceable-tip mills and drills or solid-carbide tools, consider this succinct statement from one industry expert: carbide equals cost.
Geoff Giordano
By Geoff Giordano Contributing Editor, SME Media
The RoboTrex automatic handling system from Lang operates the machining center from an automation cart, which serves as a storage medium for the vises. Depending on part size, the cart can store up to 42 vises.

Innovations in Workholding

April 14, 2020
Not long ago, the mention of workholding might call to mind the traditional vise or three-jaw chuck. The integral nature of proper fixturing to successful machining has forever changed that paradigm and made workholding as critical to the manufacturing process as any of the machines or systems of which it is a part.
By Frank Burke Contributing Writer, SME Media
Haimer offers the VIO linear toolshrink machine, which is a combination shrink-fit unit and presetter, especially for use with shrinking tools, sister tools or multi-spindle machines. In includes a Microvision VIO Image processing system; ISS-U universal ultra-high precision spindle with automatic adapter identification, mechanical clamping and motorized indexing; a fully automatic Haimer induction unit with 13 kW coil; automatic monitoring of shrinking parameters; and automatic length adjustment within ±10 μm.

Shops Use Shrink-Fit with Presetters for Toolholding Efficiency

April 15, 2020
Unlike its name, the use of shrink-fit tooling is expanding. A shrink-fit toolholder starts with a slightly undersize bore that is heated to enlarge the inner diameter enough to accept a cutting tool and then grip the cutter as it cools and contracts.
Ilene Wolff
By Ilene Wolff Contributing Editor, SME Media
Shrink-fit toolholders provide excellent rigidity and are a great choice for finishing operations.

How to Choose the Best Toolholding System for Your Shop

April 16, 2020
Many job shops hold onto traditional, inexpensive tooling systems. ER collets and Weldon flats are tried and true; they work and are proven. At the same time, newer, advanced machining technology, such as multi-axis machines, may perform better when newer, advanced (and more expensive) toolholders are deployed.
Bill Koenig
By Bill Koenig Senior Editor, SME Media

Upfront

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract
    NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE
    ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Advanced Manufacturing Now

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract
    NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE
    ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Viewpoints

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract
    NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE
    ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.