Articles & Columns

Various edge preparations are available for PCBN inserts when hard turning, but not all are equal.

Adjustable finish boring heads allow for a range of diameters to be machined with one tool. Finish boring can take some time but achieves tight hole tolerance and fine surface finish requirements. And if a fine finish and tight tolerance are not required, rough boring might suffice.

The Shop Operations column from the May 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering addresses the importance of identifying workpiece materials with sight and touch.

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. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Streamliner & Associates Inc., (814) 440-1548, www.streamlinertools.com

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. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Alpha Workholding Solutions, (877) 217-6900, www.alphaworkholding.com; CGC Tools Inc., (866) 888-9600, www.cgctool.com; Turning Concepts, (704) 849-9209, www.turningconcepts.com

The Machine Technology column in the May 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering suggests that maximum spindle speed may not be the best option.

Five-axis machining on a vertical machining center doesn't have to be complicated.

A little or a lot of pushing and shoving is important when it comes to managing and directing the operations of a machine shop, according to the Manager's Desk column in the May 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Superabrasive wheels add science to the art of polishing.

The May 2011 Look Ahead column looks at a gaging system that offers an alternative to traditional dedicated gaging.

The May 2011 Look Ahead column looks at an exoskeletal arm support for manual metalworking and other manipulation tasks.

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

END USER: Axle Alliance Co. LLC, (313) 592-7438, www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com. CHALLENGE: Overcome workpiece variations while effectively hard turning large ring gears. SOLUTION: A workpiece measuring process for a vertical turning machine. SOLUTION PROVIDER: EMAG LLC, (248) 477-7440, www.emag.com

Advancements enable ceramic inserts to tackle difficult machining applications.

Shop takes a 'systems' approach to holding microparts.

END USER: RCBS, (800) 533-5000, www.rcbs.com. CHALLENGE: Automate ID finishing of ammunition reloading dies. SOLUTION: Flexible brush hones on CNC equipment that improved quality and throughput while eliminating operator injury and fatigue. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Brush Research Manufacturing Co. Inc., (323) 261-2193, www.brushresearch.com

Mass finishing parts at the machining center offers economic advantages.

CTE Editor Alan Richter covers a unique insert clamping mechanism and seating configuration in his April 2011 Look Ahead column.

END USER: Holmatro USA, (410) 768-9662, www.holmatro-usa.com. CHALLENGE: Maximize productivity by facilitating tool acquisition and application. SOLUTION: Electronic tool catalog and application recommendation software. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Iscar Metals Inc., (888) ISCAR88, www.iscar.com/ita or www.iscarmetals.com

The Machine Technology column from the April 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine suggests that successful milling requires managing multiple constraints.