Feature Article

Articles • August 1, 1999 • Michael Baczkowski

Supplier in Demand

This article describes how one aerospace manufacturer boosted production capacity by partnering with a supplier, which began machining parts formerly made in-house. The article tells how the manufacturer shared its processes and manufacturing expertise with the supplier in order to ensure that quality and productivity were maintained.n

Articles • August 1, 1999 • Lisa Mitoraj

X-Treme Machinists

The latest generation to enter the workforce comes to the shop floor with a different set of skills and experiences than their predecessors. This article explores how these differences are forcing shop owners and supervisors to rethink their management strategies.nn

Articles • August 1, 1999 • Dennis Myers

Freer Thinking

This article describes a self-contained micromachining center. The unit uses PC-based controls and a video system to machine small parts with precision, while giving the machinist a magnified view for setup and prototyping.

Articles • August 1, 1999 • Michael Gugger

Putting Fluids to the Test

A machining research institute describes the testing method it developed to quantify and compare the performance of metalworking fluids. The test, which compares cutting forces generated when machining with a test fluid to a baseline fluid's performance, is simple enough for any shop to use.nnn

Articles • August 1, 1999 • Dennis Esford

Internal Decision

Tapping and thread milling can both produce internal threads in a variety of sizes, pitches and materials. This article discusses the factors that will dictate which process makes the most sense for a given job.nn

Articles • June 1, 1999 • Brent Chandler

Back Off

A tool design supervisor makes a case for cautious machining. This article explains how, by extending tool life, less aggressive speeds and feeds can lead to greater economy than a shortened cycle time will yield. Tips for monitoring and recording tool data are also given.

Articles • June 1, 1999 • Don Nelson

Desktop Machining

Machinists can now find machining simulators on the Web that can tell them what the results will be for a given set of conditions as well as what set of conditions will produce the results they are looking for. This article describes these simulators and the research consortium that developed them.

Articles • June 1, 1999 • Tory Gallier

Hone Improvement

This article describes reconditioning tools through hand honing, a process that can help a tool produce 20 percent more parts. In explaining the art of hand honing, the author reviews the hone materials and honing techniques to be used.

Articles • June 1, 1999 • Kip Hanson

Ready, Preset, Go

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.

Articles • April 1, 1999 • Paul Sagar

Tolerances Feel the Heat

With close-tolerance machining, variances in the temperature of the part or gage can lead to out-of-tolerance work. This article describes the compensation systems that have been developed to measure temperatures and make the necessary adjustments to gage readings.

Articles • April 1, 1999 • E. Rivin

Steep Trouble

The steep-taper toolholder shank design remains popular, but it needs updating to keep pace with modern machining practices. This report suggests minor design changes that these researchers say might overcome steep tapers' limitations.

Articles • April 1, 1999 • Martin Eastman

Inserts Show Their True Colors

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.