When you’re setting up a metalworking shop, there are many different types of machines that you can use to achieve your end goals in projects. Machinery provides a strong advantage in terms of production and capability over hand tools in virtually all circumstances, but still require care. Whether you’re working in aluminum, brass, or ferrous…
Read More
When you’re considering upgrading or adding to your manufacturing line, there are a couple of options you can consider. Waterjet or plasma cutter? Though both have their specific advantages, you’ll need to carefully consider the needs of your production line, as you’ll find differences in the cutting process that impact the cut quality, including kerf…
Read More
When you’re outfitting your machine shop, there are a few questions that may come to mind when it’s time to select a CNC machine to ensure you get the most versatile tool for the job. Should you get a CNC lathe, CNC router, CNC mill, or some other type of machine for your CNC machining…
Read More
Imagine scoring a great deal on a used machine, only to find you have to spend a lot more to get it to work. That’s a risk you take if you don’t do some homework beforehand. There are good reasons for buying used rather than new, but there’s also a lot to think about. Here’s our…
Read More
A CNC laser cutting machine slices effortlessly through sheet and plate to produce whatever 2D contoured form you need. But the fact that they’re fast and sexy doesn’t necessarily mean one is right for your shop. And if a laser cutting machine is the right choice, do you go for fiber or CO2 technology? Here’s…
Read More
Water jet machines cut with a hair-thin stream of water moving at very high speed. They’re used for cutting soft materials where the low cutting forces minimize deflection and those with low melting points but can also cut ceramics, stone, glass, and steel. Machine Structure and Components A CNC water jet machine looks similar to…
Read More
A CNC punch press can run at 300 hits per minute (hpm) or more. That quickly puts a lot of holes in the sheet being moved underneath by the CNC control system. Those holes can be separate, as when making access holes in what will be control cabinets, or they can join together in a process called…
Read More
Computer numerical controlled machine maintenance is usually viewed as an expense. It should be seen as an investment. By putting time and money into caring for a machine tool you can extend its overall lifetime. Machine malfunctions or breakdowns can be costly to your shop with unplanned downtime or expensing spare parts. Properly managing CNC…
Read More
If you need to cut metal plates on an industrial scale a CNC plasma cutter may be the machine to use. Plasma cutters can slice through metal up to 6” thick and CNC control enables the cutting of complex 2D shapes. Here’s an introduction to the machines and some tips for choosing the right one.…
Read More“Value” is hard to determine. We’ve all heard that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and that’s as true with used equipment and machinery as it is for cars or antiques. Used equipment might be valued differently depending on the buyer, equipment owner, industry, or condition. The only way to conduct machinery valuation is through…
Read More