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Your Guide to Machine Shop Products, Shops and Services

Try the Un-college

There was once an ad campaign for 7-Up that urged viewers to try the "un-cola." My play on the phrase has to do with the idea that everyone in high school has to go on to college in order to become a self-fulfilled member of society. Balderdash! if you'll excuse my strong language.

While a college education has some advantages – Where else can one study in-depth the obscure Scottish poets of the 14th Century? – there are a lot of people out there who don't need to spend another four years [or in my case five] taking classes that may, or may not, prepare them to make a living.

Ask the guy on the shop floor running the CNC lathe just how often he'd use the information he'd gained in his Women's Studies course to advance his career.

Not to say that there's anything wrong with getting a bachelor's degree, but on the other hand, there's nothing wrong with not getting a degree.

There's the old argument that a college degree will mean a higher life-time income, but there have been several studies that show that may not be the case. For instance, compare the guy who gets out of high school with machine shop training who goes to work immediately, with a guy who spends four years and incurs a mountain of debt to get a degree in History.

There are only so many spots for history teachers, and those usually go to people who have Masters or Ph.D.s. So, our shop guy has made pretty good money for those four years the history guy was in school. He's also gained four years of experience and seniority. And, he hasn't accumulated a mountain of school loan debt.

With any luck, the history major will find a job making $20k/year if he's lucky. Doing what? I dunno, probably something menial in an office cube farm. He'll be able to come home after a hard day at the office and be proud of pushing a stack of paper from the "In" box into the "Out" box. Where the shop guy can actually point to a piece of shiny metal that makes something real and say, "I made that."

Okay, I set up a straw-man example I knocked down pretty easily. Not everyone going to college gets a semi-useless degree. Some people, like my neice and nephew, are going into medical careers where they'll make more dough before they're 40 than I made during my whole career.

But, the point is that there is no shame working with your hands. In fact, machinists, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and others I'd classify as artisans, should take pride in their professions. There's no need to have any feelings of inferiority for not getting a sheepskin.

New Products

Modular connection

The CKN modular connection for large boring tools from BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc.

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. introduces the CKN modular connection for large boring tools
BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. introduces the CKN modular connection for large boring tools using both steel and lightweight aluminum components. The system features a three-screw interface between steel double-connector couplings and aluminum extensions. When tightened, the slotted male connector expands to give additional rigidity. For large, heavy-duty roughing applications, various CKN components are available for optimized tool assemblies. However, the connection is almost 100 percent compatible with the existing Kaiser KAB system. Existing Kaiser modular components can be incorporated for lower torque operations such as finish boring. For more information contact BIG Kaiser at 888.866.5776, or by e-mail

Strong attraction

Magnetic disk couplings from Sterling Instrument

A series of magnetic disk couplings from Sterling Instrument features no friction or wearing parts, uses no electricity, and leaks no magnetic particles. The S50DCM, in inch sizes, and the S50DCMM, in metric sizes, are stocked in eight different bore sizes ranging from 0.1875" to 1". The couplings consist of two opposing disk halves with rare earth magnets. The torque applied to one disk is transferred through an air gap to the other disk. Because of its flat design, one can have angular misalignment or parallel misalignment and still transmit nearly full rotational torque. The 416 stainless steel couplings incorporate an NdFeB, nickel plated magnet. The hub sections are offered singularly, with or without a keyway, and are fastened to shafts with an included set screw. The coupling OD ranges from 1.72" to 2.86". Other features include repeatable torque control. Quotes, online orders, and 3D CAD models are available at the company's eStore. Details are available by calling 516.328.3300, or online.

For aluminum welding, it's Miller time

Miller Electric's XR-AlumaFeed and AlumaPower 350 MPa power supply

The XR-AlumaFeed and AlumaPower 350 MPa power supply from Miller Electric, combine for a synergic system for MIG and pulsed MIG aluminum welding applications. The AlumaFeed’s built-in pulsed MIG programs set the optimal parameters for the most commonly used aluminum alloys, such as 4000 and 5000 series, with wire diameters up to 1/16" for high-deposition applications. The AlumaFeed System is portable. The ergonomic design of the XR-Aluma-Pro torch allows access into the tight quarters. Coupled with the XR-AlumaFeed feeder and the AlumaPower 350 MPa synergic power supply it has a push-pull wire feed system. The AlumaPower power supply features Auto-Line Power Management Technology for any input voltage hook-up – 208 to 575 volts – with no manual linking required; a Fan-On-Demand cooling system that operates only when needed; dual digital meters; inverter arc control technology; line voltage compensation if input power varies by ±10 percent, and other features.

A MAG-nificent machine

MAG's HyperMach series of processing cells

MAG's HyperMach series of processing cells comes in three models. The three H-Series models encompass the H6000, H8000, and H12000. The H12000 allows horizontal part loading on a 12m×2m pallet for machining wing spars, ribs, fuselage frames and floor components, or nested part groups. It offers a choice of 30,000 rpm at 60kW or 100 kW HSK63A motorized spindles, or 20,000 rpm at 85kW a HSK100A motorized spindle. The spindles deliver metal removal rates of 8066.5cc/min on aluminum plate or forgings. All HyperMach H-Series machines feature a full-portal, open-center design. Cutting operations are enclosed with chip fall-through to a high-volume conveyor, avoiding chip recutting and the need for a chip blow-off attendant. There is scale/encoder feedback on all five axes. The 4m, 6m, and 8m machine models use a fixed-column, traveling-table/pallet design, while the 12m model use a traveling-column, stationary-pallet receiver. Water-cooled servomotors are used on all five axes of H-Series machines to eliminate thermal influence of the motors and maximize performance for high acceleration/deceleration and feedrates. For more information visit MAG

Psy-cological waterjet advantage

WARDJet's Psy-Winder 5-axis abrasive waterjet cutting head
WARDJet has released the Psy-Winder 5-axis abrasive waterjet cutting head. Improvements include a height and crash sensor option, fixed mechanical tool tip – no kinematic model, greater range of travel with a capacity of 12" to 24" vertical travel on the Z axis, and cutting angles from 0 vertical to 90° horizontal. Software allows programming of bevels on parts or for taper compensation. Post processors are available for both 2D and 3D CAM software. Up to nine 5-axis cutting heads can be installed on one cross beam with a single X-Classic controller, which can be retrofitted to all past WARDJet systems and to most other waterjet systems. Depending on the waterjet system, speeds can be up to 2,000 ipm.