Isolating cutting operations
The accurate positioning of the cutting tool with respect to the workpiece partly controls the accuracy of a machined part.
Author
Dr. Scott Smith
Dr. Scott Smith is a professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the William States Lee College of Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, specializing in machine tool structural dynamics. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected] on the author to view all of their articles!
Apparent mass of moving machine elements
The moving elements of a machine tool have mass. Forces from the actuators cause the masses to move and accelerate. As the speed of the machine tool motion increases, the ability of the actuators to cause acceleration becomes more important.
Managing multiple milling constraints
The Machine Technology column from the April 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine suggests that successful milling requires managing multiple constraints.
Correcting thermal errors
Machine Technology column for December 2009 issue.
Machine tools are not CMMs
Machine Technology column in October 2009 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.
Three rules for cutting thin parts
In recent years, monolithic machined aluminum components have been replacing sheet metal assemblies throughout the aerospace industry. The monolithic structures are lighter, less expensive and stronger than their conventional sheet metal counterparts. Machining the components requires fewer special tools, fewer hand operations and less assembly time.
Post-processing should not work
The creation of a part program for a CNC machine tool usually starts with a part drawing or model that contains the part material, geometry and tolerances.
Some measurement required
Machine tool users can access the information contained in a stability lobe diagram to greatly increase productivity.
Achieving process repeatability
Machine Technology column for June 2009 issue.
Using stability lobe diagrams
Machine Technology column for May 2009 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering