CNC Machining Blog - Tips and Tricks for Machinists

Welcome to the Hurco CNC machine tool blog. Subscribe for weekly posts on high-speed and 5-axis machining, workholding, the latest control technologies, plus Hurco tips-and-tricks…just to name a few.

Choose Your Weapon Wisely: which 5-axis strategy is best for you?

Mike Cope Fri, Mar 22, 2013
Choose Your Weapon Wisely: which 5-axis strategy is best for you?

Just like the plethora of tool axis and collision control parameters that we discussed in last week’s blog article, CAM systems also have a diverse selection of toolpath strategies to choose from - and each of them have their appropriate place in 5-axis. But just like everything else in multi-axis programming, the programmers experience, and the actual machine configuration will play a big part in the selection of the suitable toolpath for a particular application. As I mentioned before, if you asked ten different programmers to program the same part, the outcome is likely to be ten completely different machining strategies. Other factors, like the number of pieces to be machined, the allotted time for completing the project, the specified material, and available tooling can also play a significant role in the toolpath selection process; but the skill level and experience of the programmer will always have the greatest impact.

5-Axis Programming: Understanding tool axis and collision controls

Mike Cope Mon, Mar 18, 2013
5-Axis Programming: Understanding tool axis and collision controls

If you asked 10 different 5-axis programmers to program the same single part, you would most likely get 10 different machining strategies. Depending on experience, machine configuration, CAM software, tooling, workholding, and a myriad of other criteria, everyone sees the path they need to travel just a little bit differently. But they all lead to the same place: a successfully completed part. This article will be part one in a multi-part series about 5-axis programming. 

Rotary Broach: How to drill a square hole

Mike Cope Fri, Mar 08, 2013
Rotary Broach: How to drill a square hole

Is it possible to drill a square hole? Many will snicker at this age-old question and say, “Of course you can’t drill a square hole!” Well, it turns out you most certainly can drill a square hole… and a rectangular hole, and a hexagon shaped hole, a hole with splines, double keyways the list goes on and on!

CNC Motion Control System Explained

Mike Cope Fri, Mar 01, 2013
CNC Motion Control System Explained

I was recently asked to explain the motion control system used in CNC machine tools to someone in my family. Realizing that this individual didn’t have a background in manufacturing, and certainly had no experience with anything this complicated and technical, I had to relate my explanation to something common and simple: like driving a car.

Subscribe to the Machinists Blog