Feature Article

Articles • August 1, 2000 • Scott Ashworth

The Three R’s: Retrofit, Rebuild and Remanufacture

Author explains the different ways to upgrade a used machine tool. He also discusses what users should expect from the company that performs the retrofit, rebuild or remanufacturing job and how long the job should take.

Articles • August 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Raising the CNC Technology Bar

Overview of the new machine tool technologies introduced at IMTS 2000. Among them are linear motors for axes travels, ballscrew chillers, a new way to lubricate linear guideways and controlling machining processes via the Internet.

Articles • August 1, 2000 • Brian Cline

Sparkling Performance

Author discusses the advantages of CVD-diamond tools compared to other types of diamond tools. He also explains how CVD-diamond tools are manufactured and gives case histories involving their usage.

Articles • August 1, 2000 • John Sockman

Clean Sweep

Equipping toolchangers with nylon abrasive-filament brushes can greatly enhance process economics and the flow of parts. Case histories of in-machine deburring operations support these contentions, and the author describes how such systems should work.

Articles • July 1, 2000 • Markus Jakobuss

Silver Lining

GE Superabrasives' silver-coated diamond crystal is designed for grinding tungsten carbide. Discussed are the benefits--reduced friction, greater crystal retention and a cooler grinding environment--and how to apply wheels made from the crystal.

Articles • July 1, 2000 • Kip Hanson

Holding On

Discussion of different types of toolholders for lathes, including collets, drill chucks, bushings and keyless chucks. Author discusses best holder for different applications, based on his experiences.

Articles • July 1, 2000 • Dennis Esford

Ceramics Take a Turn

Author describes applications for the two basic types of ceramic turning inserts–alumina and silicon nitride–as well as the types of parts and materials users have turned with them. Specifics about speeds, feeds and DOCs are given.

Articles • July 1, 2000 • Les Loncharich

Hands Free

Shop owners who operate multitask machines talk about the time and cost benefits of producing parts in a single chucking. They also discuss some of the problems they had when adopting the technology. Accompanying Articles focus on a multitask users group and machine that hard-turns and grinds.

Articles • June 1, 2000 • Alan Richter

Size Matters

The trend toward developing finer and finer carbide grains continues. The author looks at recent developments in the production of nanosized tungsten-carbide grains, which are smaller than 0.2 microns in diameter. Though not used widely at present for the production of cutting tools, some predict that will change as the technology evolves.

Articles • June 1, 2000 • Tim McKeever

Killing Time

One company instituted a comprehensive plan for reducing setup times and saw its average setup time drop from 252 minutes to 39 minutes. The plan involves everything from standardizing tooling to consolidating raw materials to creating families of parts. The author outlines a step-by-step program that readers can apply to their metalworking setup operations.

Articles • June 1, 2000 • Jack Burley

Double Header

The author discusses the advantages and proper application of twin-cutter boring tools. They're recommended for rough-boring applications on castings, forgings and other jobs requiring a tool that can bore a cored hole. Details are provided on the three basic types of methods for rough boring with a twin cutter: balanced, stepped and full profile.

Articles • May 1, 2000 • Brent Chandler

Tool Men

Establishing a good relationship with your cutting tool salesperson can benefit your operation. A good salesperson can help solve problems you don't have time to tackle and offer recommendations for machining difficult parts. The author also addresses what to do when a relationship sours.