Straight to a round
Parts manufacturers should head straight to their high-strength round inserts to turn nickel-base alloys.
Author
Joseph Hazelton
Joseph L. Hazelton is a freelance writer with multiple years of experience writing and editing articles for metalworking publications.
Time-Saving Tools
Parts manufacturers can choose from various multifunction tools to reduce cycle times and free up tool positions in their machines.
Cutting Down on Cutting Fluids?
While using a single cutting fluid to machine and grind all workpiece materials may not be economically feasible, many machine shops can reduce their number of metalworking fluids.
Big Ideas for Workholding
Holding large workpieces, especially heavy ones, requires parts manufacturers be more mindful of workholder and machine tool limits than they have to be with smaller workpieces. Also, shops may need to improvise when a conventional workholder can't secure a large workpiece.
Kicking Out Bad Vibration
High-speed, vibration-free endmilling of aluminum workpieces requires cutting tools with certain features and requires certain types of toolholders. Also, it can be aided by cutting strategies.
Coming to More Shops Soon?
High-power laser machines—at least 5,000w—are more useful in machine shops because their power permits fast processing of thicker materials, materials more like the blocks machined by the metalcutting industry. Also, automation allows for more cost-effective laser machining.
Harder With Silicon
Several types of cutting tools can be protected with coatings harder than regular A1TiN coatings by combining A1TiN grains with an amorphous silicon-nitride matrix.
Safeguarding Spindles
Parts manufacturers can keep chips flying and maintain part accuracy by protecting their spindles against misuse, thermal expansion, collisions and penetration by coolant and metallic dust.
Working Software Hard
Features in CAM software that save programming time.
Downshifted. And Tomorrow?
Orders for machines and cutting tools are up even as economy slows.
All Together
Suppliers' close, early cooperation can benefit shops greatly.
Precision on the Table
Going beyond a rotary table's specs to ensure accurate machining.