This article discusses the various sources of machining information available, and the body of knowledge on which each type of source bases its recommendations. Emerging sources that make use of such innovative…
Stainless steel is one of the more difficult materials to cut. This article discusses the problems that can occur when turning various types of stainless steels, the reasons for these problems and…
CNC bandsaws are designed to run for long periods unattended. This is only possible if the blades used are reliable and long lasting. According to this article, bimetal blades with ground teeth…
Machine tool builders and distributors are trying to distinguish themselves by selling customers complete turnkey packages that are ready to make good parts from the day they are installed. This article discribes…
Dual-spindle turning centers allow shops to combine several processes into one setup. This article describes a typical dual-spindle turning center's configuration and capabilities. A common scenario is given showing how such a…
Cutting without metalworking fluid is looking increasingly attractive to U.S. shops hit with the high cost of fluid maintenance and disposal. This article discusses the benefits and drawbacks of dry machining and…
As the use of hard-to-machine work materials grows, the need for high-performance tool coatings increases. This article discusses developments in coatings that have increased their usability. Among the coatings discussed are medium-temperature…
There are several types of feed units for drilling and tapping on the market, varying in capability and the type of drive. This article discusses the difference between units and suggests questions…
This article makes the case that a core drill is the best tool for opening existing holes. Being designed for the operation, the two-flute indexable drill can produce more accurate holes with…
There are many good reasons a shop might choose to purchase an abrasive waterjet machine. However, as this article explains, many factors must be considered to determine if the investment makes economic…
Modular fixturing offers a flexible and reusable alternative to dedicated fixtures. This article discusses the benefits of modular fixturing and the types of jobs for which a modular system makes economic sense.…
Superabrasive bore finishing can achieve the same results as conventional honing quicker and at a lower cost. This article describes the types of superabrasive tools available and their uses. The article also…
Solid-carbide drills made with advanced submicrograin carbide are capable of producing holes that meet tight specifications without secondary operations. This article explains how these tools produce reamer-like finishes while offering extended tool…
When shops crank up the speed, they have to be prepared for the consequences, even if they're milling "easy-to-machine" aluminum. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on MFGAxis. Originally published…
Improvements in cermet and ceramic inserts have made them a good choice for high-speed milling. This article describes how the compositions and designs of these newer inserts make them tough enough to…
The economic benefits of high-speed machining can be lost if the wrong tools are used. This article describes the types of solid-carbide drills and endmills that can ensure long-running performance. It also…
Researchers at Ohio State University produced contoured cuts with different ball mills to determine the best tool material and coating for the job. This article reports their findings and offers recommendations for…
Researchers tried bathing inserts in liquid nitrogen to keep them cool while cutting hard-to-machine materials. This article reports the results of this experiment. It shows how the use of cryogenic coolant can…
Manufacturing customers have begun demanding that their suppliers institute quality-control processes. At the same time, they are expecting their suppliers to adopt more efficient processes so that suppliers can reduce their prices…
Internal threads can end up undersized because of the work material's properties or because of changes to the hole's dimensions caused by plating or heat-treating processes performed after tapping. This article explains…
There are some tapping situations that call for a rigid tapholder and some that call for a length-compensating holder. Often the choice depends on the capabilities of the machine and the CNC…
The advent of CNCs made new threadmaking technologies practical. Among these technologies are rigid tapping and thread milling. This article describes the uses, techniques and benefits of these two threadmaking methods. Imported…
There are a variety of presetters on the market. All reduce machine downtime by allowing shops to set up tools offline. This article discusses the different presetter types and the impact that…
Standards governing grinding-wheel safety testing do not cover all superabrasive wheels. This article suggests that these standards should include them. The author explains why as he describes a typical superabrasive wheel and…
This article describes the shapes and sizes of diamond particles produced through standard manufacturing processes. The uses for these different types of particles are also explained, with an emphasis on particles used…
