Feature Article

Articles • February 1, 1997 • Don Graham

New Coatings Meet New Challenges

As the use of hard-to-machine work materials grows, the need for high-performance tool coatings increases. This article discusses developments in coatings that have increased their usability. Among the coatings discussed are medium-temperature CVD coatings and multilayer PVD coatings.

Articles • October 1, 1996 • Timothy White

Hole in One

Solid-carbide drills made with advanced submicrograin carbide are capable of producing holes that meet tight specifications without secondary operations. This article explains how these tools produce reamer-like finishes while offering extended tool life and shortened cycle times. An accompanying article discusses coatings for solid-carbide drills.

Articles • October 1, 1996 • Robert Marvin

A Super Finish

Superabrasive bore finishing can achieve the same results as conventional honing quicker and at a lower cost. This article describes the types of superabrasive tools available and their uses. The article also explains how to set up and break in the tools.

Articles • October 1, 1996 • Bob Madewell

The Flexibility of Modular Fixturing

Modular fixturing offers a flexible and reusable alternative to dedicated fixtures. This article discusses the benefits of modular fixturing and the types of jobs for which a modular system makes economic sense. A description of typical modular fixturing components and how they are used is also provided.

Articles • October 1, 1996 • Tom Howes

The High Speed Aluminum Challenge

When shops crank up the speed, they have to be prepared for the consequences, even if they're milling "easy-to-machine" aluminum.

Articles • September 1, 1996 • Joseph Halloran

Ceramics Get Tough

Improvements in cermet and ceramic inserts have made them a good choice for high-speed milling. This article describes how the compositions and designs of these newer inserts make them tough enough to withstand the punishment of a milling operation while maintaining the hardness that makes them wear-resistant.

Articles • September 1, 1996 • K.P. Rajurkar

Beyond Cool

Researchers tried bathing inserts in liquid nitrogen to keep them cool while cutting hard-to-machine materials. This article reports the results of this experiment. It shows how the use of cryogenic coolant can keep temperatures down and prolong tool life while machining titanium aluminum vanadium and reaction-bonded silicon nitride.

Articles • September 1, 1996 • Peter Fallböhmer

Milling Sculptured Surfaces

Researchers at Ohio State University produced contoured cuts with different ball mills to determine the best tool material and coating for the job. This article reports their findings and offers recommendations for extended tool life when milling molds and dies.

Articles • September 1, 1996 • Mark McCollom

High Performance at High Speeds

The economic benefits of high-speed machining can be lost if the wrong tools are used. This article describes the types of solid-carbide drills and endmills that can ensure long-running performance. It also covers the proper handling and setup of these tools.

Articles • August 1, 1996 • Richard McCarthy

Presetters Produce Profit

There are a variety of presetters on the market. All reduce machine downtime by allowing shops to set up tools offline. This article discusses the different presetter types and the impact that these differences will have on the instrument's price and functionality.

Articles • August 1, 1996 • Peter Zierhut

New Twists on Threading

The advent of CNCs made new threadmaking technologies practical. Among these technologies are rigid tapping and thread milling. This article describes the uses, techniques and benefits of these two threadmaking methods.

Articles • August 1, 1996 • Allen Krenick

Rigid Rules

There are some tapping situations that call for a rigid tapholder and some that call for a length-compensating holder. Often the choice depends on the capabilities of the machine and the CNC driving the tap. This article discusses why a machinist might choose one type of tapholder or the other.