• Horizontal vs. Vertical Milling Machines: What’s the Difference?

    Take a closer look at the differences between vertical and horizontal milling machines to discover which is right for your business.


  • What is G-Code Programming?

    When used correctly, g-codes are an invaluable tool for CNC machinists, allowing you to take full advantage of your machine’s capabilities.


  • 5-Axis CNC Machines for Aerospace – The Definitive Guide

    Dealing with five axes when machining isn’t a simple process in any industry, but it gets especially interesting in the realm of aerospace. When we’re talking about subtractive manufacturing in general, you have to consider everything from your material and holding that work to your tooling and the toolpaths to get to your finished part.…


  • Speed up your Milling with Constant Cutter Forces

    What you don’t know about High Efficiency Roughing vs High Speed Roughing is costing you money It is often joked that you can tell a good machinist from an average machinist by their Kennedy toolbox. However, what is not a joke is that a good machinist can hear the difference between a high quality and…


  • What to consider when selecting CAM software

    Although there are dozens of CAM systems available, choosing one is not as difficult as many believe. It comes down to choosing the best one for your application. This paper is meant to help give you the tools to help pick the best one for you. Consider the packaging CAM software is available in three…


  • Benefits of Automatic CAM

    Advantages of Automatic CAM When utilizing CAM software, one of the common requests is why can’t it be more automatic. There are many people that would like to simply load a CAD model, and have the CAM software determine the best way to mill it, then automatically program it. While this utopia world of CAM…


  • How are smart factories changing the face of manufacturing?

    There’s little doubt that the manufacturing industry is undergoing some seismic changes at the moment. Technological advances in automation, computing power and communications (the 4th industrial revolution) have made intelligent manufacturing and smart factories a reality. In a nutshell, smart factories employ advanced technology to optimize planning, production, transportation, and management processes. A recent report…


  • Is generative design really a game changer?

    Over the years there have been plenty of false dawns with supposedly ‘revolutionary’ technology. Segways and maglev trains were supposed to revolutionize transport. Sony mini-discs were quickly superseded by the iPod. It’s easy to become skeptical when you hear about the next big thing. But some innovations are so powerful that it’s apparent they will…


  • Real world applications of Augmented Reality (AR) in manufacturing

    Augmented reality, or AR for short, overlays virtual information over a user’s existing natural environment. Sound, graphics and touch feedback are seamlessly integrated to create an enhanced experience. The information overlaid is highly topical and relevant to what the user is doing. It ranges from simple text to instructions for complicated surgical procedures. Uses for…


  • 7 Aspects of additive manufacturing

    Additive manufacturing is a process that uses 3D design software and a multi-axis arm to deposit materials onto a printing platform. The material can be resin, nylon, ceramic, and many others. It differs from conventional subtraction techniques which remove unwanted pieces from a solid block to reveal the final product. Not only does this save…


  • Additive Manufacturing: is metal AM becoming more affordable?

    Additive manufacturing or AM for short was first developed in the 1980s. This technology is unlike traditional manufacturing as it is additive by nature, meaning that the process starts with an empty build envelope and material is subsequently added layer by layer. These layers are usually measured in microns and are deposited and melted together…


  • How can smaller manufacturers make the most of Industry 4.0?

    Industry 4.0 is set to revolutionize the manufacturing industry and the way manufacturing businesses operate. Fully integrated factories will generate massive amounts of data. This data will be constantly analyzed, allowing manufacturing processes to learn and adapt to new demands. To remain competitive, existing businesses must embrace technological advancements and the changes required to maximize…


  • Interior of factory space

    Is the aerospace industry leading the way when it comes to smart factories?

    Humans have never ceased to evolve no matter what the walk of life is. When it comes to engineering, it all started off with applying basic technologies to make objects like hunting tools and carts. Major advancements resulted when the Industrial Revolution came, an event which was further refined by the introduction of automation. Now…


  • How is Big Data, AI and machine learning implemented in smart factories?

    As the manufacturing industry sets about the fourth industrial revolution, you need look no further than smart factories to see a physical representation of this concept. These factories present a new way of manufacturing in which everything is connected. Machine learning and AI (artificial intelligence) systems work together with man and machine to efficiently manage…


  • What role can generative design play in the future of vehicle design?

    The automotive industry has always been on the forefront of technological developments and tends to be the first adopter of new technology. Even if these new technologies are only used initially on their concept vehicles or in high-performance racing vehicles. The massive manufacturing advances being made across the board point to a future of significant…