Feature Article

Part Time column for February 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering looks at a shop that machines tungsten-carbide wedding, engagement and personal rings.

Boosting milling productivity requires understanding the process.

With a structured cutting tool repair program, significant cost savings are realized while tool quality remains intact.

Tips and techniques that can turn a standard milling job into a work of art.

Simplified application of five machining axes produces big cost savings in routine part making.

Drilling stacked materials, which have alternating layers of composites and metals, requires a careful strategy and the right tools.

After a wrenching 2009, when parts manufacturers saw precipitous sales declines and orders and sales of machine tools and cutting tools also dropped sharply, the U.S. metalworking industry experienced a relatively strong recovery in 2010. Demand for manufactured products in developing markets, a rebound in the domestic auto market and inventory rebuilding by companies that had been holding off on orders helped fuel the recovery.

Toolmakers combine technologies to meet growing demand for PCD tools.

More flexible grinding machines allow part manufacturers and toolmakers to fine-tune their production processes.

With the right tools, threadmilling large bore diameters doesn't have to be daunting. Read the article and check out a brief video of several threadmilling demonstrations offered by Allied Machine & Engineering Corp.

Tapping isn't easy and one of the toughest challenges is preventing oversized threads. New tools can help. Read these tips from YG-1 Tool Co. and take a look at a 2-minute video of the company's slideshow presentation on multifunctional taps.

Manufacturers continue to make process improvements in everything from surface finish to grinding wheel life, but one of the simplest improvements is leveling an out-of-tolerance machine.