Insta-connection – How a Local Robotics Team Partnered With a CNC Machine Company
Insta-Connection I first learned of DATRON Dynamics in January 2019 after they liked one of my photos on Instagram. Curious to know what this company was about, I did some research that lead me to online reviews of their company and products. I was impressed and intrigued by how easy their machines seemed to use, […]
How It All Got Started – Company President Reflects
In 1984, upon graduating from University with a degree in Industrial Design, I started working for the family business. We manufactured architectural signage and wayfinding systems for larger corporate offices and retail shopping malls. I was working on product development along with manufacturing practices used in production. In 1995, I was involved in a project […]
CNC Programming for Batch Machining
Today, we’re going to answer a question that we get a lot – how do I program for batch machining? What is Batch Machining? “I need to make identical parts in one fixture. Should I take first position as a program zero or do I need to find zero point for each part and store […]
Stop Running Up that Hill
My son had just graduated from Cubs and gone onto Scouts when I was introduced to his new Scout Troop during a camping trip at Pawtucaway State Park in New Hampshire. I volunteered to assist with a weekend outing and thought it would be a great experience, spend time with my son and meet the […]
Working for a CNC Company and a University Makerspace?
Not even a year out of college, and I’m working for a CNC manufacturer and serve as an ambassador to a university makerspace??? Don’t get me wrong, I’m both grateful and happy about this, but sometimes “I think, how did I get here?” Since I just returned from a meeting with that makerspace, I decided […]
DATRON Rocks Milling PVC Guitar Pickguard
Frank Xydias works in the Department of Engineering running Advanced Manufacturing and Computer Aided Design at Milford High School’s Applied Technology Center in Milford, NH. In this educational setting, the group often accepts “live jobs” acting like a job shop within the community. That was the case when they agreed to do a one-off part in a […]
Rapid Prototyping: Subtractive vs. Additive
With additive manufacturing and 3D printers being such a hot topic these days, it’s important to remember why subtractive processes like milling are still incredibly important to rapid prototyping. But first, let’s examine some of the benefits and limitations of additive rapid prototyping (or direct digital manufacturing). Benefits of Additive Rapid Prototyping The process of […]
Maximize Your CNC Uptime with DATRON Dynamics Service
In the manufacturing world, when a CNC machine goes down it often means that operations have come to a standstill. This is frustrating and sometimes scary for business owners. So, who do you call when your DATRON machine goes down, or is making weird noises, or is no longer displaying the English language on the […]
Machining Strategy for Single Flute End Mill
This Blog on Machining Strategy is based on the Single Flute End Mill Webinar that I did with an Applications Project Manager here at DATRON. The video of that webinar is below, as is the part milled with the strategies detailed herein. The point of both the webinar and this post is to prove that […]
Filling the 3D Prototyping Gaps
Rapid Manufacturing with CNC – Filling Those 3D Prototyping Gaps A common misconception in the manufacturing world centers upon the belief that you must choose between 3D printing and CNC when it comes to prototyping and rapid manufacturing. In other words, if you’re 3D printing, you can’t or shouldn’t consider CNC and vice-versa. […]
CNC Chip Management. What About the Chips?
I get this question all the time when someone is trying to wrap their head around how milling works without flood coolant – what about that chips? It’s a fair question, and an important one, given how much havoc chip accumulation can be in the milling process. Plus, how much work it can take to […]
CNC Spindle Repair vs. Spindle Replacement?
CNC spindle repair or replacement? The answer might be neither. The way I see it, DATRON has a better solution in the form of a Spindle Exchange Program and I’d like to use this Blog to explain how it works. CNC Spindle Repair is Time Consuming & Spindle Replacement is Expensive! I think it […]
A Camera Can Revolutionize Your Workpiece Setup
Workpiece setup has come a long way in the CNC world. Edge finders and wigglers were once commonplace in every machine shop, but nowadays, you’d be hard pressed to find any current-generation machinist using one. Touch probes have become the norm, be it an electronic Renishaw unit or a more basic Haimer dial indicator. But […]
5 Tips: Mastering Marking Die Production
Marking Die Production I’ve had the distinct honor of working closely with a large company over the past few months to develop a highly-automated system for creating roll marking dies. Before I continue talking about marking die production, you might be saying “what’s a roll marking die?” Steel roll marking die with serial number machined […]
The Monoblock Cutting Tool for More Than Just Face Milling!
DATRON Monoblock Cutting Tool If you ask any DATRON application technician what their favorite cutting tool is, there’s a high probability that you’ll get this answer: The Monoblock Cutting Tool (aka. the Monoblock). In our world of high RPM spindles, the Monoblock cutting tool is King. Co-Developed with industry leaders Big-Kaiser, the Monoblock is a […]
4 Ways to Ensure Consistent Depth of Cut
4 Ways to Ensure Consistent Depth of Cut (even on surfaces that are anything but flat) As far as your CNC is concerned, the world is all sunshine and roses: your cutting tool never deflects or wears, your fixture is rigid and free of vibration, and the surface of your workpiece is perfectly flat. However, […]
How to Purchase the Perfect Engraving Tool
DATRON Makes the Perfect Engraving Tool I don’t get to write Blogs too often because I’m a Purchasing Agent. But, within the CNC machine tool business, I do have some experience with regard to purchasing capital equipment and cutting tools that may help you out and save you some time. In this case, I’d like […]
Benefits of Rapid Prototyping In-house
If you’re on the fence about setting up your own prototyping lab, the following ten benefits of bringing rapid prototyping in-house should convince you of its advantages. As manufacturing evolves and the market demands more, with respect to faster and smarter solutions, investing in your own in-house rapid prototyping capabilities is a sound strategy. Here, we break down these […]
How to Choose the Best CNC for Rapid Prototyping
Find the Best CNC for Rapid Prototyping The road to insourcing your prototyping can be a long, yet knowledge-filled journey. Hopefully our previous discussions on rapid prototyping in-house have educated and inspired you to take the reins on manufacturing your own prototypes. Now it’s time to think about how to find the best CNC for rapid prototyping. Once […]
Step Stencil Milling vs. Laser and Chemical Etching
There is no question that electronics are getting smaller and smaller. As a result, electro-mechanical parts like Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), must be produced in smaller sizes. Therefore, the demand for step stencils (for stencil printing) is increasing, as well as the requirement for precision and accuracy in order to produce them with intricate detail. […]
Leverage Your Machine Purchase with the Right CNC Operator
Over the past 20 years, we have built our business on implementing high-speed machining systems that increase product efficiency and quality. Our reputation has grown on the success stories and reference companies we have accumulated over the past two decades. Truly, the DATRON milling system is only one piece of the equation for a successful […]
Slow to Fast Feed Rates for Single Flute End Mill
Machinists ask me all the time, “When do I go fast and when should I go slow with a single flute end mill?” Well, as you can imagine, there are a lot of variables at play regarding feed rates for single flute end mill, but let’s try to break it down. DATRON Single Flute End […]
Drill vs. End Mill? – Some Basic Guidelines
Question: “Should I use a drill or end mill?” Answer: It depends on what you’re trying to achieve. When to Use a Drill vs. End Mill Drill vs. End Mill? If you need to make a lot of holes a drill is probably the way to go. If you’re making a very small hole, say, […]
Large Format Milling: Why You’ll Care about MLCube LS
In the world of computer-controlled milling equipment, there’s always been something of an understanding between the work envelope (and therefore the largest part you can physically fit in the machine) and precision. When it comes to positional accuracy and repeatability, as the ability of a machine to achieve ever smaller numbers goes up, the size […]
