Turning

Author describes what he's learned about turning hardened steel. Discussed are the machine tools needed as well as PCBN and ceramic inserts.

Mill/turn lathes and multitask machines continue to cut a broad swath across the manufacturing landscape.

Ceramic and cermet cutting tools offer productivity-boosting benefits when the application is appropriate.

Like their 5-axis machining center cousins, 5-axis multitask lathes are breaking the traditional part-processing rules and taking manufacturers in bold new directions.

Competition in the automotive industry is driving the need for higher-quality parts and lower manufacturing costs. All aspects are affected, including turning.

By packaging both turning and milling functions in a single machining center, machine tool builders believe they’ve hit on a winning combination that can boost part quality while also slashing cycle times, space and costs.

END USER: Ansco Machine Co., (330) 929-8181, www.ansco-machine.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: DP Technology Corp., (800) 627-8479, www.espritcam.com. CHALLENGE: More efficiently program large mill-turn vertical turret lathes. SOLUTION: CAM software that can program complex mill-turn parts using subprograms.

Vertical turning lathes have a significant drawback: the chips fall onto the workpiece where they are subject to recutting. By inverting the spindle, chip problems are virtually eliminated.

When turning parts, shop improvised to meet customers’ needs.