Press Brakes

Are you interested in acquiring a Press Brake? Here are some things to consider….What kind of metal are you bending? Mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum?  There are several types of brakes available depending on what your needs are. There are mechanical,...

EDM – What It Is and How It Works

What is EDM?  EDM is an acronym for Electrical Discharge Machining. It’s a manufacturing process sometimes referred to as spark machining, burning or die sinking. In this process, a desired shape is created by using electrical discharges or sparks. EDM is a machining...

Guillotine Style Shears vs. Swing Beam Style Shears

The phrase “a shear is a shear” does not exactly apply to metal cutting shears. Contrary to popular belief, some shears are different than others. The differences are between the two designs of metal cutting shears, a guillotine and a swing beam.   A guillotine...

How To Identify & Select The Right Plate Roll

Plate rolls are used to roll flat metal sheets into a round or conical shape. While it seems simple enough, there are some variations in design between different plate rolls that provide unique benefits. There are basically four different types of plates roll designs:...

An Introduction to 3D Printers

Are you new to 3D printing? 3D Printing came on the scene around 2011 and has proven to have many valuable applications. The medical industry found value in taking scenarios from flat screen to 3D as surgeons prepare for surgery. Today almost every industry from...

What is CNC Machining?

CNC machining stands for Computer Numerical Control. Simply put, a machine is controlled by a computer instead (in lieu) of by hand. A computer tells the machine when and where to move. These movements are made using motors (usually servo motors) to move the machine...

Milling Machines

Are all mills the same?   A common misconception is that all milling machines come from the same factory and they just have different names on them. This confusion is understandable due to the fact that most milling machine builders have copied the Bridgeport...

How to Select a New Lathe and When to Do It

Before we get to selecting a new lathe, let’s discuss when we need to start considering purchasing a new lathe. Although a skilled machinist can run almost any lathe, it is important to consider the following:   How long is it really taking to run a part if...