Articles

END USER: Genesis Attachments, (715) 395-5252, CHALLENGE: Increase productivity when machining high-strength steel jaws and other components for recycling and demolition equipment. SOLUTION: Implementing new cutting tools and high-speed machining based on lean manufacturing principles.

END USER: Single Source Inc., (574) 656-3400, www.singlesourceinc.us. CHALLENGE: Reduce programming and setup times when producing increasingly complex parts. SOLUTION: A combination of CAD/CAM software and mill/turn machines. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: DMG/Mori Seiki USA Inc., (877) 275-6674, www.dmgmoriseikiusa.com; DP Technology Corp., (805) 388-6000, www.dptechnology.com; Ellison Technologies, (630) 393-8900, www.ellisontechnologies.com

END USER: Form Tool Technology Inc., (803) 788-3686, www.formtooltech.com. CHALLENGE: Polish flutes of drills and other round tools to enhance chip evacuation. SOLUTION: Diamond-abrasive polishing wheels. SOLUTION PROVIDER: 3M Abrasive Systems Div., (866) 279-1288, ext.

Equipment and media options for cleaning automotive parts.

Reamers are an effective option for hole finishing, but choosing the right one for the job depends on hole type and diameter, among other factors.

Bringing inspection technology to the shop floor for quality control can pay big dividends.

Machining fiber-reinforced composite materials with fiber and other types of lasers can be an effective option.

The use of plastic medical parts is growing, and in certain applications machining them is advantageous and even essential.

Cutting Tool Engineering Editorial Director Alan Rooks recalls an era when repairing things was still in fashion.

END USER: Fulflo Specialties Inc., (937) 783-2411, www.fulflo.com. CHALLENGE: Increase tool life in back spotfacing of stainless steel hydraulic relief valve bodies. SOLUTION: Custom tool for difficult-to-machine workpiece materials.

END USER: Highland Products Corp., (440) 352-4777, www.highlandproducts.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce setup time when employing high-pressure coolant for Swiss-style machining. SOLUTION: A through-coolant Swiss-style toolholder that directs coolant over the insert to the tool/workpiece interface.

END USER: Alpha Machining and Grinding Inc., (704) 871-2183, www.alphamachiningandgrinding.com. CHALLENGE: Achieve cost savings through multiple process improvements. SOLUTION: Magnetic workholding and variable-index, variable-helix endmills.