Articles

Articles • April 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Added Dimensions

A rotary table allows a 3-axis vertical machining center to machine in the n4th and 5th axes. The author explains the different types of rotary tables nthat are available and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Articles • April 1, 2000

Getting to the Bottom of Chatter

Tool chatter is one of the biggest obstacles to effective machining that job nshops face. The author discusses the sources of chatter and offers nsuggestions for minimizing it.

Articles • March 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Creeping Up

Creep-feed grinding is not as popular a process as it was predicted to become in the late 1980s. But a machine shop that specializes in CF grinding has found great success by using the process. The shop's owner and other CF-grinding experts contend that as workpiece tolerances become tighter and manufacturers begin using more exotic workpiece materials, CF grinding will grow in popularity.

Articles • March 1, 2000 • William Shaffer

Getting a Better Edge

The author, an expert on cutting tool edge preparation, explains the importance of applying the proper edge hone to a tool. He also discusses a brush-type honing machine designed to apply a variable edge--a capability not available with other machines on the market.

Articles • March 1, 2000 • Don Graham

Dry Out

As the government publishes ever-stricter regulations for metalworking fluids, more shops try dry machining. The author examines the cost benefits of machining dry and looks at the various types of tool materials designed to enhance dry-machining applications.

Articles • March 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Software Solutions

Tool management software is designed to help users of cutting tools get more control of their toolcribs. The article describes the types of tool management software available, the savings possible by utilizing software and includes comments from shop owners who've installed these systems.

Articles • February 1, 2000 • Kip Hanson

Pecking Order

The CNCs on many lathes don't have drill-pecking cycles. The author ndescribes several ways to program CNCs to peck, including shortcuts such as nsubprogramming and parametric programming.n

Articles • February 1, 2000 • Derek Phillips

Dry Run

Dry milling and turning grow in popularity day by day, but dry drilling is nanother matter. Because of the nature of drilling, it's more difficult to nperform this operation without coolant. Still, progress is being made, nthanks to research and more sophisticated coatings.n

Articles • February 1, 2000 • Derek Phillips

Extreme Drilling

A detailed description of a combination drill that machines six different nhole diameters. Used on a dedicated drilling machine that drills cast iron ncylinder heads, it was developed over a number of years. The six-in-one tool nis made of HSS and has carbide inserts.n

Articles • February 1, 2000 • Peter Fretty

Grade Wise

Most people know that using the right grade of insert can improve nproductivity dramatically. Few know that the proper grade is also important nwhen utilizing round tools. The author examines the different types of ncarbide grades available for round tools.n

Articles • February 1, 2000 • Lisa Mitoraj

The Coating Edge

The author looks at some recent advancements in tool coatings: multilayer, nmultielement, diamond, nanocomposite.n

Articles • January 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Thread Heads

Three companies that tap millions of holes annually offer advice for improving the tapping of steel and aluminum. Discussed is coolant application, equipment for tapping and determining speeds. There's also a sidebar on thread milling.