Articles & Columns

Recycling coolant pays big dividends for job shops.

When accuracy counts, thread grinding shines. It may not be a new twist, but thread grinding is still one of the most accurate ways to produce internal and external threads.

The Talking Shop column in the December 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering offers an interview with the president of RS Precision Industries. Look for the print article here, as well as a link to more of the interview online.

Manufacturing was a star in 2011 and looks to shine brightly in 2012.

Determining actual wheel costs and answers to other grinding questions can be found in this month's Grinding Doc column.

Thinking about taking the leap into milling hardened steels? Why would you? After all, if your shop has been successfully grinding, jig boring and EDMing hardened materials, why change?

Triumph Actuation Systems makes systems that keep aircraft flying straight. Read more about the making of the systems that keep "big birds" in line.

One of the Look Ahead features in this month's Cutting Tool Engineering magazine covers a new CBN superabrasive for grinding wheels that extends wheel life and lowers grinding forces.

END USER: The TMF Center, (765) 762-1000 CHALLENGE: Reduce setup and changeover times when machining large parts. SOLUTION: A modular magnetic workholding system. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Techniks Inc., (877) 354-3837, www.techniksusa.com

The Shop Operations column in the December 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine offers some tips when sawing metal.

The Manager's Desk column in the December 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering addresses the importance of developing interest in manufacturing careers.

END USER: Marquardt Engineering Inc., (847) 669-0690, www.marquardt-eng.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate chatter to prevent indexable inserts from blowing up and causing catastrophic tool body failure when drilling 4150 prehardened steel. SOLUTION: A new drill body and inserts. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Tungaloy America Inc., (888) 554-8394, www.tungaloyamerica.com

Quantifying machine tool error motions in this month's Machine Technology column by Dr. Scott Smith of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The price range for a new presetter is wide—units supplied by sources for this article range from $8,000 to $85,000 or more. But even a lower price model might be difficult for a shop to justify. “It is hard for a shop to see the dollar savings because the presetter doesn’t make any parts,” said Joe Halik, engineering manager for Koma Precision Inc., East Windsor, Conn., the North American importer of Elbo Controlli presetters. “But you have to look at how much time you are wasting by measuring tools on the machine tool and from scrapped parts and operator error.”

Find out more about a cryogenic lubrication technology based on supercritical CO2 in this month's Look Ahead feature.

The Lead Angle editorial by Cutting Tool Engineering Editorial Director Alan Rooks ponders the question, "What inspires people to do their best?"

Another Look Ahead item addresses bagless recycling for waterjet cutting.

END USER: MSI Corp., (724) 567-6500, www.msicorporation.com. CHALLENGE: Effectively cut a large amount of material on older machines without damaging cutting tools. SOLUTION: A milling cutter tooled with inserts that enable a large DOC at a low horsepower. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Sandvik Coromant Co., (800) SANDVIK, www.sandvik.coromant.com/us

Statistical analysis of metalcutting data can help shops select the right indexable insert geometry.

Shop Operations column for the October 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine urges shops to remember to file. Don't overlook filing.