Survival of the fastest
Tool and cutter grinder software continually evolves to expedite production of advanced cutting tools by toolmakers and machine shops.
Author
Bill Kennedy
Bill Kennedy, based in Latrobe, Pa., is a former contributing editor for Cutting Tool Engineering. He has an extensive background as a technical writer.
Contributing Editor
Match the process to the part
There's more than one way to machine a part. The trick is to match the part's complexity and volume requirements with an optimal production process.
Tip-Top Productivity
Drilling, milling, EDMing, laser cutting, trepanning, punching; there are almost as many ways to make holes as there are holes to be made. Drilling, the most common holemaking method, itself includes many tool material and configuration options.
Taking it to Titanium
Reaming titanium is a challenging task, but new tools can give shops an edge as they battle this difficult-to-machine material.
Fighting back
Despite economic turmoil, vertical machine tool builders are keeping their customers and themselves in the game with new technology, services and added value.
Lights on
Quality Mould Inc., a maker of molds for glass products such as lamps and headlights, thrives by leveraging its skills and using advanced technology.
Pumping innovation
April 2009 Part Time column
Wheels Up
New materials, the need for lightweight parts and the burgeoning size of some aircraft challenge manufacturers of landing gear components.
Quick connection
March 2009 Part Time column.
Fail-Safe CAM
Computer-aided error detection and prevention routines for CAM programs not only help prevent disaster—they improve machine efficiency too.
Speed and accuracy island
February 2009 Part Time column
Down-hole, High-tech
Production of precise, tough oil-field components demands the use of sophisticated multitask machines.