The Coating Edge: Drilling Performance
The author looks at some recent advancements in tool coatings: multilayer, nmultielement, diamond, nanocomposite.n
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Thread Heads: CMM Inspection
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.
Hard and Fast Rules: Turning Performance
Author describes what he's learned about turning hardened steel. Discussed are the machine tools needed as well as PCBN and ceramic inserts.
Under Pressure: Drilling Performance
Article defines what constitutes a high-pressure coolant-delivery system and offers advice for selecting such a system. Discussed are pumps, system prices and advantages of these systems when cutting metal.
Lowering Your Grades: Turning Performance
Article discusses the disadvantages of carrying too many grades of carbide inserts. Often, using a less-than-optimal grade can save a machine shop money.
Fired Up: Drilling Performance
The manufacturer of the most widely used fire-hose nozzle has continually upgraded its processes and equipment to meet its customers' needs. This article outlines the market forces and changes to its nozzle design that have driven the company to maintain a state-of-the-art shop.
Daily Regrind, The
Advanced tool grinding machines are making it possible for even small shops to regrind complicated tool geometries in-house. This article explores the cost and time factors that must be considered before a shop decides whether it will regrind tools in-house or outsource the work.
Gage Yourself: General Industry Coverage
A 10-question quiz tests the reader's knowledge of gage usage and maintenance. The answers, which are provided, help correct common misperceptions about gages and gaging.
What’s Your Angle?: General Industry Coverage
When facemilling with an indexable-insert tool, the axial and radial rake angles of the inserts can have a significant impact on performance. This article reviews the basics of rake angles and their effect on tool life, cutter effectiveness and metal-removal rates.
Tough Bores: Drilling Performance
This article relates how three shops used creative ideas to solve difficult boring problems. One shop built a custom tool to bore deep holes. Another used a combination of standard tools to bore an interrupted cut. And a third achieved tight tolerances with an assortment of plastic sleeves and plugs.
Human Touch: 5-Axis Machining
Industry professionals explain why manual machining skills are still necessary even in this age of CNCs. The article also describes the additional skills needed to program and operate computerized machine tools.
Lessons Learned: General Industry Coverage
A project engineer recounts his experiences planning for, installing and setting up a new CNC vertical milling center. Among the issues he explores are the questions that must be answered before the machine arrives, selecting or designing tools and fixtures for the new machine and preparing workers for the change.
