Cutting Tools

Using his students as researchers, an industrial-arts teacher sets up an experiment to test claims being made for tool resharpening using cubic boron nitride wheels. The experiment taught the students how to keep a log of tool conditions, use and sharpenings as they gathered data for their study.

By changing the nose radius of their finish-turning inserts, toolmakers are producing wiper inserts that allow machinists to turn workpieces at increased feed rates. This article explains the theory behind this innovation and describes the specific wiper-style geometries employed by three manufacturers.

Insert manufacturers have devised color-coding schemes to help users select the right tool for the job. This article explores the thinking behind these schemes and the toolmakers' efforts to design tools for the specific applications defined in their selection systems.

This article reviews the basics of coordinate systems and machine programming as a basis for presetting tools. The process for setting tool offsets is described with an explanation of the G-codes involved. In an accompanying article, the author tells how his company built its own presetter.

Toolmakers are constantly introducing advancements to improve the metalcutting process. This article examines trends in five key areas where toolmakers are concentrating their research and development efforts.

Look Ahead: Researchers find sticky solution to an old problem.

Effective use of rotary devices helps shops move forward.

Kip Hanson delves into what it takes to make the machines that make machine parts.

Workholding: Suppliers develop solutions for parts that are simply hard to hang on to.