Feature Article

Debunking seven common CNC-programming myths.

Grinding fundamentals: understanding wheel preparation and grinding fluids.

Proper fixturing is critical when machining aerospace components.

Understanding parting-off operations

An examination of deburring and the cost of poor quality.

Understanding the fundamentals and possibilities of grinding, part 1.

Moldmakers represent a challenging niche market for the cutting tool industry.

Meadville, Pa., and the area surrounding the city are home to approximately 150 precision tooling and machine shops. The article explains why this city of 14,000 is such a hotbed of precision machining and entrepreneurship.

The use of compacted graphite iron is continuing to grow, particularly for automobile castings. The benefits of CG iron vs. gray cast iron are its ability to handle heat better and better machinability. The author gives an overview of the material's characteristics and discusses feed-and-speed considerations when machining CG iron.

A new drill point geometry developed by a tool and cutter grinder. The through-coolant drill is ground in such a way that a hollowed out chamber on the face of the tip retains coolant in the cutting zone while hydraulic forces that are created push fluid to the cutting edge.

Examined are four recent developments in cutting tool coatings: "smooth" diamond coatings, which incorporates that are nanometer-sized; a process that deposits diamond on carbide substrates via a laser; highly lubricious coatings for dry-machining operations; and a patented system for "locking" conventional coatings together.

Understanding parting-off operations.