Researchers at the Center for Grinding Research performed a series of creep-feed grinding tests to determine the causes of the heat damage and striations they observed. The tests involved grinding slots and…
The fundamentals of wheel dressing and truing are reviewed in this article, which covers the proper maintenance of a wide variety of wheel bonds and abrasive types. The article also discusses different…
EDMed surfaces have their own texture and integrity considerations. This guide explains why EDM surface condition matters for inspection, finishing, and downstream performance. Imported from the CTE archive to seed discussion on…
EDM cutting conditions change throughout the cutting process as the part thickness and the level of dielectric contamination fluctuates. This article describes an experimental setup that can monitor these fluctuations and adjust…
With wire EDM, the properties of the wire will have a large impact on the performance of the operation as well as the ease of rethreading. This article discusses the properties that…
Modular toolholding systems save shops money in several ways, according to this article. By making it possible to use the same tools on several machines, for example, a modular toolholding system can…
Indexable-insert drills offer several advantages for producing short holes. This article describes the drills' features, uses and benefits. Tips are provided to help select the optimal tool, insert and machine settings. A…
High-performance aluminum-alloy workpieces are prone to residual stresses that can lead to part distortion. This article reviews the milling tools and practices that affect these stresses. Some tools and practices alleviate the…
Blades for contour bandsawing vary in their materials, their tooth set and selection, their width and the way they are welded. This article discusses how each of these variables contributes to the…
Cermet inserts have evolved into cutting tools capable of finish-turning steel reliably at high speeds. This article traces the developments that have led to modern cermets and describes the properties that enhance…
New plunge-and-turn tools make it possible to perform several tasks, such as grooving, turning, back turning and face grooving, with the same tool. This article discusses the design and use of these…
U.S. manufacturers are in a transition period, moving from inch to metric specifications. This article looks at the impact this change is having on the manufacturing and use of drills. The discussion…
The development of the CVD thick-film diamond process has made it possible to produce tools that can machine abrasive work materials without losing their cutting edge. In this article, the technology for…
To meet their customers' demands, mold and die shops are milling hardened steels at high speeds. This article discusses the use of coated carbide inserts to handle the heat generated by these…
Casting a pattern of light on a part and viewing that pattern at a different angle through a grating with the same pattern creates a moire pattern that can reveal small changes…
Programming a cut with an abrasive waterjet is complicated by the fact that the stream of water deflects as it passes through the workpiece. This article describes newer controller technology that can…
This article makes the argument that grinding is still a useful and necessary process despite the advancements that have made the turning of hardened workpieces possible. The article discusses the precision and…
While CNCs and part-handling equipment offer labor, time and money savings, they also require dramatic changes in the way a shop operates. This article looks at the investment in equipment, personnel and…
Tunable tools can be adjusted to dampen vibration. However, shops must have the right equipment to tune them quickly and precisely. This article describes an instrument that can provide the necessary feedback.…
Software-based video tool inspection systems can read tool geometries much more precisely than other measurement systems. This article looks at the technology behind these systems and explains how this technology detects and…
When machinists plan a boring operation, they must rely on general turning data. Typically, this data is developed from OD turning operations, not boring operations. This article provides cutting data and recommendations…
Automatic recessing heads feed a cutter out at a right angle to the spindle's rotation axis as downward pressure is applied to the housing. This article looks at the advantages of using…
The EPA's ban on ozone-depleting chemicals had an impact on the formulation of metalworking fluids containing 1,1,1 trichloroethane. This article looks at the reasons for the ban and the industry's efforts to…
This is the first in a series of Articles on coolants. It provides a general review of the types of fluids available, their cooling and lubricating abilities and their ease of disposal.…
Changes in milling practices have placed new demands on the cutting tool. This article discusses the features toolmakers have added to their milling insert geometries to control chips and cutting forces. The…
