Matt Sacommanno's Microconic chuck holder for small parts processing was inspired by his experience in the Swiss screw machine shop.

In 1996, Matt Sacommanno, co-founder of Masa Tool, as the engineering manager of Allied Swiss Screw Products, was frustrated with the limitations of traditional chucks and workpiece clamping systems when performing secondary machining operations. This was in the early days of CNC Swiss-type machine tools. At that time, the machining capacity was limited and a lot of secondary machining was required. His solution-a high-precision collet-type workpiece clamping device for small parts processing.

As machining capabilities increase and precision requirements become more challenging, Sacommanno realized that the traditional chuck system used in micromachining is a serious limiting factor that hinders the full use of modern machine capabilities. This prompted Sacommanno to design the next-generation Microconic system.

"The Microconic system consists of a chuck and a chuck. The chuck is installed in the machine just like a standard traditional chuck," Sacommanno said. "The ink cartridge is an independent precision mechanism that uses the machine's standard chuck closing function to bring Microconic functionality to any machine."

The chuck is suitable for more and more machines, and currently it can be used for machines that use TF20, TF25 or 5C chuck. The Microconic UM10 chuck is installed in the chuck to fix the workpiece, and due to the design and closing action, it is essentially more accurate and consistent than the traditional chuck.

"The origin of the word Microconic implies the precise formation of the closed taper of the chuck to eliminate the effects of heat treatment warpage and grinding tolerances, providing concentricity every time," Sacommanno explained. "There are two basic types of Microconic chucks-standard chucks and over chucks. Both types are suitable for any of our chucks. Our over clamping chucks are rigid, concentric and open to a larger clamping diameter 4 mm (0.156 inch) capacity."

Sacomano explained that the patented design of the system can improve the over-clamping performance, which is impossible in the traditional chuck system according to his own experience.

The chuck chuck contains an ejection guide sleeve blank for ejecting the part from the chuck-this is an often challenging task, because if it is not safely guided out when opening, the parts inside the chuck The larger head may get stuck.

The Microconic system is beneficial for orthopedic bone screws, miniature precious metal components for pacemakers, and other implants; machined surgical components made from hypodermic needles; and surgical instrument components. This is an example-dental implants.

Material: Titanium alloy bar

Machine: Star SR20 Swiss-style CNC automatic lathe

Previous method: Since a strong gripping rod is required to perform a powerful blind hole hexagonal broach, the dental implant is processed almost entirely on the main shaft of the machine. There is very little work on the pickup spindle, so it is idle for most of the cycle.

Cycle time reduction: 164 seconds. To 98 seconds. Each part: By moving all ID processing operations to the picking spindle, performing these operations during the shadow time while the main spindle completes the OD, a 40% improvement has been achieved. This was previously impossible with traditional chucks because the broaching force pushes the part back into the chuck. The 0.001" concentricity requirement from ID to OD cannot be reliably achieved using traditional extended nose chucks, and they damage the critical surface finish on the implant OD.

Cost saving: productivity increased from 18pph to 32pph, saving 44% of cost. In addition, since the cut is at the other end, there is no need for manual deburring.

Return on investment: The cost of the Microconic system was recovered within 64 production hours; the direct production cost of 10,000 orders was saved by US$14,015.

Sacommanno said that the system relieves the challenges faced by machinists when setting up small parts to process by solving the limitations of traditional chuck systems.

"Because of the fast closing action, high clamping force, rigidity and accuracy, the chuck type workpiece fixture has always been the best method for clamping small workpieces in the production environment. In order to clamp various workpieces with different diameters, a specific size is pre-made Chuck to match the clamping diameter," Sacomano said. "The external dimensions and shape of the chuck have not changed, only the inner diameter of the clamping surface has changed. Therefore, the chuck system of any given machine must be large enough to accommodate the machine’s maximum workpiece diameter capacity. The result is a chuck mechanism. Designed to handle the largest workpieces, which means it is too powerful and bulky for smaller workpieces. Smaller parts will be sacrificed because they usually require higher precision and workpiece clamping is more critical. "

Prescott explained that Microconic cartridges can be optimized for small parts of the machine in three ways.

Precise control-no matter how powerful the mechanical device of the machine, the ink cartridge can provide complete internal control of the chuck closure. Using MicroGrad wrench to set the precise chuck closure micrometer adjustment, even the most fragile parts can be safely fixed without damage. The off setting can be recorded in the setting plan and repeated accurately without relying on the mechanics' feeling or experience.

Improved accessibility to parts-due to interference with the relatively large spindle nose, it is difficult for small parts to reach the part with a small tool. Traditional systems usually use an elongated nose-shaped chuck to provide sufficient clearance, which will lead to insufficient concentricity, and the bending of the jaws of the long chuck will result in poor rigidity and clamping force. The mechanic will then apply more force to hold the part firmly, which may cause damage to the part. In addition, as the force increases, the degree of curvature increases, so the jaws of the chuck begin to open outward, resulting in a decrease in the clamping strength at the end where the cutting force occurs. Unable to perform powerful machining operations, such as blind hole broaching, because the part slides in the chuck and pushes back. With Microconic, the sturdy extended nose tip of the chuck directly exerts a closing force on the workpiece. The maximum rigidity is achieved, so the parts can be firmly fixed without too much force, thereby achieving operations that cannot be performed by traditional chucks.

Quick setup-The chuck can be replaced and adjusted completely from the front of the spindle. In addition, the concentricity and rigidity mean that there is no need to troubleshoot or replace the chuck to find a working chuck. Ensure that the system does not increase the total indication jump more than 0.0002" (5µm).

When making changes to the system, the mechanic will remove the old chuck (and spring, if any) and install the Microconic cartridge in the same way as the old chuck. The Microconic chuck is then threaded in from the front of the chuck, which makes the chuck replacement easier.

When installing the ink cartridge for the first time, the mechanic should use a dial indicator to measure the jitter of the front end of the ink cartridge, which is ground to a tolerance similar to that of a measuring tool.

"If there is any runout, this is the result of the condition of the machine shaft and should be diagnosed as needed. Usually this is just a very thorough cleaning of the valve seat surface, but it may also be due to production wear or damage," Prescott pointed out . "The key here is to correctly diagnose and correct concentricity problems right away without running parts or trying multiple chucks. Once corrected, concentricity will be fine every time, saving hours of troubleshooting in future settings time."

About the author: Elizabeth Modic is the editor of Today's Medical Developments and can be reached at emdic@gie.net or 216.393.0264.

Microconic's filter element is made of peculiar high chromium tool steel, which has undergone three tempering and low temperature treatment to provide a stable structure. All functional seat surfaces have been polished extremely accurately on the one-piece super-rigid body structure.

"The cartridge can be used as a calibration gauge to verify the accuracy of the machine spindle," said co-owner Chip Prescott.

The Microconic chuck is finished according to strict standards through a five-step grinding process, eliminating the effect of heat treatment warpage. In addition, the proprietary Microconic form of the closed surface is inherently more accurate than traditional chucks, providing a larger full-precision working range.

Cartridges suitable for push-in fixed-length chuck closers and pull-out closers are available: F20M10 (used to replace TF20 chuck), F25M10 (used to replace TF25 chuck) and 5CM10 (used to replace 5C chuck) ). All these cartridges use the same Microconic UM10 chuck, and more cartridge sizes are under development and will be released soon.

For many medical device manufacturers, proprietary coatings and surface treatments can play an important role in product development.

Silica or silicon dioxide is one of the most basic elements on the earth. The most common in nature is quartz, which is the main component of sand, as well as silicone and glass. Now, this basic compound is using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technology as an antibacterial barrier, primer to promote adhesion between stainless steel and proprietary coatings, or to create hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces.

For many medical device manufacturers, proprietary coatings and surface treatments can play an important role in product development and upgrading of traditional medical devices under the 510(k) guidelines. Therefore, the medical device industry is actively researching plasma coatings and applying them to products such as stainless steel guide wires, catheters, stents, and vascular surgery tools.

"We are always looking for unique and novel ways to make our products stronger and become market leaders, but to do this, we need to bring more technology to our equipment. Usually, this will involve some form of To functionalize the surface,” MicroVention’s R&D project team leader Aaron Baldwin explained. MicroVention is a company that provides neurointerventional products, including access products, endoluminal stents, occlusion balloons and polymer coils.

"By solving surface reaction issues such as biocompatibility or lubricity, PECVD can take the product to a new level. This is a unique and effective method of depositing and enhancing coatings because it allows you to customize the surface while preserving your The characteristics of the bulk material required."

The PECVD process deposits thin films from gaseous (vapor) to solid on the substrate. PECVD deposition of silicon dioxide usually requires organic silicon as a raw material. In this family, the most famous are hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDSO).

HMDSO is an economical and flexible reagent that can be bought on the market as a high-purity liquid. This volatile, colorless liquid can be polymerized by plasma to form a safe surface coating for various medical purposes. Depending on the composition of oxygen to HMDSO, the nature of the surface can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

This flexibility makes HMDSO and other siloxanes ideal for PECVD. By adjusting the parameters and adding other gases, chemists can strictly control the materials to cope with a wide range of applications.

For the medical device industry, the use of silicone belongs to the main categories of protective barriers (antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-corrosion), as a primer between stainless steel and rare metals and proprietary surface coatings, or to modify the surface to hydrophobic or Hydrophilic.

For metal substrates such as stainless steel or special alloys, it can be difficult to adhere the coating to the surface. Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) can be used as an intermediate layer to improve the adhesion between the coating and the substrate.

For example, stainless steel guide wires are usually coated to make them smoother and easier to insert. By applying a thin layer of silicon dioxide, the lubricating coating can be grafted onto the stainless steel surface well.

Silicones can also be used as bonding chemicals between other difficult-to-adhere surfaces, such as ceramics and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE Teflon). Drug delivery devices that use ceramic nozzles with micrometer-sized openings are coated with PTFE to prevent clogging. Depositing a layer of HMDSO with a thickness of 100 nm to 150 nm can promote the bonding between the two substances.

In order to protect electronic products, HMDSO coating is applied in a relatively thick coating of a micrometer or more. HDMSO is waterproof and gas-proof-the properties needed to prevent corrosion. If the HMDSO will be exposed to harsh chemical acids or bases, a thin layer of PTFE (~100nm) can also be applied.

For vascular surgery tools and instruments that are contaminated by tissue fragments or blood, the coating can make the surgeon's tools cleaner and longer.

Applying a hydrophobic (waterproof) coating on surgical instruments will form a surface where blood and tissue can easily fall off, providing surgeons with a better view.

At the other end of the spectrum is a hydrophilic (affinity with water) device. Depending on the needs, silicones can be used to create such surfaces with polar or dispersive surface energy.

There are many strategies to achieve antimicrobial surfaces, including cell harpoons, amphiphilic surfaces, preservatives that bind to the surface, and non-stick coatings.

In a unique application, chemical vapor deposition is used to embed nano-silver particles in a thin layer of silicone to prevent microbial adhesion and corrosion. Silver ions can be embedded in a thin layer of silica to kill any bacteria that are present.

Although the application of PECVD silicones is flexible, the development of precise chemical, gas and plasma equipment design requires close collaboration between medical equipment designers and equipment manufacturers.

Because MicroVention has established a relationship with PVA TePla-several of its plasma chambers have been used to help the coating adhere-Baldwin began to negotiate with them on a project to determine the benefits of stent coating.

Baldwin said that plasma equipment manufacturers are divided into two categories, one is to produce goods, off-the-shelf products, and the other is to design and design systems to meet the needs of specific applications and/or solve unique surface energy challenges. Therefore, when companies pose challenging surface chemistry issues to PVA TePla, they will be encouraged to visit the laboratory in Corona, California, giving them the opportunity to brainstorm and conduct experiments with their technical team.

Many of the best experimental matrices and ideas were generated during these technical customer/supplier meetings. In addition to designing and manufacturing plasma systems, the company also acts as a contract manufacturer, owning the internal equipment needed to run parts and conduct experiments, and allow customers to fully participate.

"When we start to do something new, instead of groping in the dark, it is better to involve expertise. [PVA TePla] is very willing to experiment-usually for free-to promote the project and improve its characteristics. Systems and chemicals," Baldwin said. "We were able to go there and use their plasma machine to determine our parameters and evaluate the equipment."

Each PVA TePla system is designed to meet application requirements, which can include unique fixtures, unique electrodes and chamber modifications to accommodate throughput and coating uniformity.

The ability to thoroughly clean the chamber after each application of silicone is a major consideration, because in addition to the product that receives the coating, it also coats the entire interior of the chamber (including the electrodes). Therefore, PVA TePla has modified the chamber to make it easier for users to clean it after each coating application.

MachineMetrics monitoring software connects to the machine and transmits data to the workshop, thereby saving money, improving morale and improving competitiveness.

Connecting machines to computers and communications can increase productivity by providing insights into operations. Eric Fogg, co-founder and COO of software provider MachineMetrics, identified these key advantages in an interview with Today's Medical Developments.

1. What are the risks of enterprises accessing machine tools for monitoring? Fogg: If you don't do it properly, connecting to a monitoring device may pose a security risk, but doing so safely is not necessarily costly. MachineMetrics has worked with and consulted with information technology (IT) security experts to ensure the security of our systems.

2. What are the benefits of connecting machine tools for monitoring; how does this outweigh the risks? Fogg: Those devices connected to machine monitoring are improving output by making better decisions driven by data, thereby enabling better real-time communication between management and the workshop.

3. What hesitations have you heard when considering implementing a machine monitoring system? Fogg: Security is usually the biggest concern. After that, customers worry about whether they are ready to process all the data and whether they have the time and personnel to take action.

4. What steps should the machining shop take to protect the equipment that is planned to be monitored? Fogg: Since we extract data directly from machine control and our system is cloud-based, all computers in the factory are separated from the monitoring system. Although keeping up with updates, password protection, etc. is a good practice, it has no effect on the security of MachineMetrics. All a store has to do is to connect a network cable to each machine (wireless network can also be used), and MachineMetrics picks it up from there.

5. How can machine monitoring, dashboards, and data transparency save money, improve competitiveness, and improve employee morale? Fogg: The transparency of the system enables the company to understand the problem keenly and expose the problem faster than before.

By working with machine tool dealers, tool companies, integrators, and machine builders who resell MachineMetrics to customers, companies can access their customers' data (if the customer agrees) to help monitor the health of machines, tools, or implementations.

MachineMetrics has increased machine utilization in most stores by 15% to 25% by letting customers understand how their investments are affecting them and where they should invest further.

Problems can be addressed to employees within minutes or hours after the incident, rather than at the end of the day or week when the problem is exaggerated. This allows the conversation between management and employees to change from frustration or anger when working late to help when the problem just happened, and it can be resolved through improvement.

Since the set-up time varies by operator and shift, job switching is the biggest source of lost production time for companies. Using a monitoring system, companies can track the setup time by incorporating the setup time into the workflow when assigning jobs.

The software’s operator view allows operators to start and stop work, classify downtime, and reject parts to ensure quality. Operators are also convinced that supervisors will proactively solve problems and involve them in the process, and supervisors are also convinced that their employees are involved.

6. What is the reaction of the machine tool company when the bosses of the processing shop realize that once they have the data and learn how to use existing machines to improve production, they do not need to invest in more equipment? Fogg: Machine tool companies like machine monitoring software because they know that when the equipment performance reaches the specified specifications or better, the success and profit of their customers will benefit them in the long run.

7. Once implemented, what is the smallest improvement a store can expect to see? Fogg: We usually see at least a 10% increase in productivity and more confidence in quotation and capital expenditure decisions. Information such as cycle time, performance, number of parts produced, rejections, downtime reasons, and rejection reasons can be collected for each part operation. This information enables managers to quickly identify issues related to specific operations and measure the effectiveness of process improvements.

8. How does MachineMetrics differentiate from market competitors? Fogg: We focus on building simple software, focusing on providing a human background for data, which is something that no one else is doing right now. In addition, because it is cloud-based, our software is dynamic, with new features and updates every week.

About the author: Elizabeth Engler Modic is the editor of Today's Medical Developments and can be reached at emdic@gie.net.

The MachineMetrics Return on Investment (ROI) calculator can estimate the potential benefits of using machine monitoring software. to know more information: 

Contract manufacturers, processing shops, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the medical device industry need to improve their productivity processes to stay competitive.

Contract manufacturers, processing shops, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the medical device industry need to improve their productivity processes to stay competitive. Moreover, the manufacturing of medical parts poses various challenges because high-precision parts contain a complete series of 5-axis motions.

For example, high-precision complex parts used to fix bones are rarely composed of straight lines or squares, but involve functional and aesthetic contours. Implants that benefit from advanced machine technology include bone plates and screws, femoral heads and acetabular cups for hip replacements, and parts for knee and spinal implants. The length of the components can be from less than 1" to more than 10", and they are usually processed from high-performance titanium alloys, stainless steel alloys, and medical plastics (such as PEEK).

The proliferation of customers and a more diversified customer base have increased the pressure to increase production while controlling manufacturing costs. Typically, the answer comes from advanced, all-in-one, productivity-enhancing machining systems that provide integrated productivity-enhancing software packages, including high-speed spindles, multi-pallet automation, full 5-axis positioning, and user-friendly controls.

For a medical workshop, advanced processing systems are essential to increase productivity. The workshop uses a 5-axis machining center equipped with a spindle from 15,000 rpm to 20,000 rpm, a 5-axis trunnion table, and two pallets for automated processing of implants. However, the large number of incoming jobs and the desire to optimize existing jobs forced the workshop to consider a processing platform with a higher speed spindle, a smaller footprint, and more pallets. The Mikron HSM 400U LP machining center from Lincolnshire, Illinois provided the solution.

The shop now has three Mikron HSM 400U LP machines with 42,000rpm HSK-E40 spindles, 5-axis tilting table trunnion function, 220° B-axis rotation, Heidenhain iTNC 530 controller and rotation with 18 workpiece holders automated system. Compared with previous machines, these machines occupy two-thirds of the floor space, are lighter in weight, and have a larger working range.

The vector spindle on the machine provides consistent surface finish and part detail, while reducing processing time for semi-finishing and finishing. With high dynamics and 1.7g acceleration, these machines reduce non-cutting time and maximize spindle utilization. Liquid-cooled, linear direct drive motor technology can shorten the setup time and improve the dynamic rigidity of attitude control. Linear direct drive with central oil lubrication can reduce friction-induced wear and ensure long-term accuracy.

In order to locate complex contour parts, such as bone plates for drilling, threading and surface treatment, medical stores usually use 3+2, 5-axis positioning technology. Compared with a 5-axis machine with a trunnion table, the Mikron axis can rotate at a speed of up to 200 rpm, reducing positioning time.

Mikron HSM 400U LP provides process stability for 5-axis simultaneous machining.

Fast workpiece positioning is essential for medical parts with 20 to 30 threaded holes. When each hole needs to process planes, countersinks, through holes and threads, a small amount of extra speed in the B-axis rotation will result in a long-term reduction in cycle time. With higher spindle speeds and faster 5-axis part positioning, Mikron milling machines have reduced cycle times by 20% to 30%.

In order to optimize the application of Mikron's machine pallet system, some medical stores have installed a tombstone on the pallet that can hold multiple similar parts, thereby achieving a consistent tool kit and eliminating the need to replace fixtures. This method ensures that lights are turned off between shifts without loading, unloading, or removing fixtures.

Using the machine's Heidenhain controls, the operator can edit on the machine in a conversational mode, thus saving programming time and minimizing delays.

Saving costs through automation is also changing the way medical contract manufacturers view machine tool purchases. Machine tools with pallet change or bar feed functions can provide maximum versatility and productivity. This integrated automation enables manufacturers to remain competitive and take full advantage of their equipment and skilled labor.

One benefit of concurrency is flexibility. For a medical workshop equipped with Mikron HSM 400U LP, the typical work batch ranges from 10 to 300 pieces, but it also frequently receives five orders. These machines can be quickly and accurately set up for these jobs, and their pallet changers increase the efficiency of leftover products in the workshop.

The shop verifies and validates small batch prototype parts, and then when repeated orders come in, the program and fixtures can start production.

The tolerance is about 0.0005", and the surface finish makes the post-processing and finishing operations of medical parts limited to the deburring of complex double-lead or triple-lead threads. The accuracy and quality of the parts are crucial in the machining process. In addition, This can minimize the need for manual finishing and significantly reduce the possibility of parts being scrapped due to inconsistent manual processing.

High-speed machining technology helps improve manufacturing quality, efficiency, and cost control, allowing medical contract manufacturers (such as those using Mikron HSM 400U LP) to replace custom tools with cheaper off-the-shelf tools. Rather than rough machining parts, using forming tools to create contours, and then using other tools for finishing, this shop uses one roughing tool and one finishing tool to complete the part.

The level of responsibility required for contract manufacturing of medical parts exceeds the level of responsibility for general processing. Control from start to finish is crucial, because medical parts must be perfect. The medical contract manufacturer purchases certified raw materials and processes the parts to final size, completes the first piece, in-process and final inspections, and proves that the parts are available for human use. Customers rely on the manufacturer's process control and team to provide consistent products. Investing in the right processing technology helps medical contract manufacturers deliver quality products on time.

Before the company used advanced CAM software toolpaths to enhance the doctor's vision, the production of small parts was more challenging.

For surgeons and dentists, finding and repairing diseases in strange and difficult places-deep in the mouth, under the skin or eye sockets-can be challenging. Magnification and lighting help them see, but making microscopic products can be as challenging for companies that make vision equipment as medical professionals trying to work without them.

Jeff Otto (left), machine shop manager of Designs for Vision Inc., discusses the size of the lens T-mount with Ken Braganca (middle) and Dave Wicks (right).

Designs for Vision Inc. is located in Ronkonkoma, New York, and designs, manufactures and distributes these medical equipment and related instruments. The company was founded more than 70 years ago and specializes in custom magnification and lighting equipment for surgical and dental applications. These include headlights, binoculars and other medical equipment instruments. Imagine a pair of glasses with prescription lenses and a miniature telescope in the center. Each design requires special design and manufacturing.

"Everything must be small and light, because we are studying the glasses on the face. Everything is microscopic," said Jeff Otto, the machine shop manager.

Some specifications require zero radius and 0.3" length. Machining tiny parts made of aluminum and engineering plastics requires process control, especially when a load of no more than 1/2" is applied to the end mill. Dynamic motion technology plays an important role in ensuring that the final part is roughed and cut to precise specifications. Developed by CNC Software Inc. of Tolland, Connecticut for its Mastercam CAD/CAM software, Dynamic Motion uses a proprietary algorithm to perceive changes in materials, allowing the tool to maintain constant contact with the material. The control load can be adjusted to obtain a better surface finish.

"Deep cutting with dynamic toolpaths is a thing of the past," Otto said. "No matter what tool we use, we have a complete cutting length, all the way to the bottom."

Because the tool is constantly in contact with the material, there are fewer tool breaks. Before using Dynamic Motion, when trying to make multiple deep cuts, the corners would come off the tool.

Reducing the step distance in the cutting process can make the tolerance of tiny parts smaller. In the past, Otto first carried out complex detailed designs, and then added simpler manufacturing processes. Dynamic motion toolpaths allow him to focus first on creating more rigid parts with tighter tolerances, and then program complex geometries. Faster material removal and fewer tool breaks have reduced manufacturing costs by 40% to 60%. Otto said that in the past it took about two weeks to make a part prototype; now, a part prototype is completed and put into production within three to four days.

"We have been able to use 3D toolpaths to shorten delivery time and cycle time-even the entire operation," Otto said.

The software's tool library can be customized with different settings, tools and machine groups so that the process can be run simply and quickly on the company's 3-axis milling and lathes.

"Mastercam is completely different," Otto points out. "Our manufacturing engineers are customizing it to make things faster and easier to use."

Customize jobs according to the exact specifications of Designs for Vision engineers, keeping most of the manufacturing operations in-house. The time and tool cost savings achieved through the use of dynamic toolpaths helped the company's machining shop surpass some of the workshops they had previously contracted.

"We do not outsource any milled parts, we will work hard to get back our turned parts," Otto said.

Custom work usually presents unusual challenges for programmers, so the Designs for Vision team worked with Mastercam distributor Cimquest in Branchburg, New Jersey.

"My job is to help people re-adjust what they are trying to do so they can complete their work," said Mike Sljaka, Senior Application Engineer at Mastercam.

When Otto needed to choose between wireframe sketches or entities for an application, he and Sljaka discussed the pros and cons of the different methods and which toolpath was most suitable. Sljaka also helped him restore the damaged file using the merge file command, put the existing geometry into a new file between the databases, and operate from the file import tool to restore it.

Busy workshops, especially those that deal with unusually small parts in custom, proprietary work, do not always have time to explore features in their CAD/CAM software programs. Relying on distributors and forums to guide them to solve problems and share strategies can save time and money. When the network is large, there are many resources, so innovative parts can be processed faster and at a lower cost.

Cimquest's "Two Minutes Tuesday" is currently in its fifth season, focusing on topics and technologies that are being discussed in the industry. As an auxiliary project development to help Solidworks users learn new tricks or tricks in two minutes or less, it has become so popular that Cimquest has expanded the video to include Mastercam, Stratasys, 3D printing and reverse engineering/ Check and discipline your own channels for each manufacturing.

Mike Sljaka has a background in audio and video performance production and is responsible for the production of Mastercam clips. These clips are available in English and Spanish and are also distributed by CNC Software.