Articles & Columns

Machining components for solar power generation systems can be a renewable source of business.

END USER: MTU Aero Engines GmbH, +49 89 1489-0, www.mtu.de. CHALLENGE: Minimize cutting tool vibration and runout when circular stagger milling titanium blisks. SOLUTION: A hydraulic toolholding system that dampens vibration and minimizes runout. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Rego-Fix Tool Corp., (317) 870-5959, www.rego-fix.com

Machine Technology column by Dr. Scott Smith.

CAD/CAM strategies for increasing the efficiency of multiaxis machining.

Shop Operations column by Frank Marlow.

Ensuring optimal grinding of stainless steel medical instruments.

Using an independent laboratory to test different coolants can provide the impartial data needed to make the right choice for machining titanium.

Manager's Desk column from the January 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Youth skills training for machinists takes place in schools with metalworking programs and in connection with competitions, such as WorldSkills.

Machine Technology column from the January 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Productive Times on Tulsa Machine Works Inc., 918-834-0911. Challenge: Reduce tooling costs when milling crankshafts. Solution: Tool repair and modification services. Solution Provider: Carbide Tool Services Inc., 800-243-9577, www.carbidetool.com.

Milling plastics is just easy enough to be difficult.

Shop Operations column from January 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Finishing hardened workpieces on multitask machines that provide grinding and hard turning and/or hard milling capabilities can prove beneficial.

A growing number of machine shops are switching from gundrills to solid-carbide drills for deep-hole applications.

Productive Times on Sun Manufacturing Co., 832-448-http://www.ctemag.com/aa_pages/2012/1201, www.sun-mfg.com. Challenge: Efficiently drill through-holes in 4130 steel parts. Solution: A modular, indexable-insert drill that eliminated pecking cycles. Solution Provider: Kennametal Inc., 800-446-7738, www.kennametal.com.

Productive Times feature Kevin Burns Golf, 408-244-7768, www.kbputters.com. Challenge: Maximize productivity and minimize tool breakage when roughing custom putter heads. Solution: A 5-flute, solid-carbide endmill that minimizes chatter. Solution Provider: Dura-Mill Inc., 800-444-6455, www.duramill.com.

Get With The Program column from January 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Indexable-insert tool repair can require a lot more than a manual machine. CNC machines and inspection equipment are often needed to effectively refurbish tools.

Part Time column from the January 2010 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.