Feature Article

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.

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.

When SRL Nano Corp. developed carbide-grade tools that use a patented binder material with a melting threshold similar to that of carbide—about 2,870º C, naturally the Rosemead, Calif., company dubbed the new material Hyper-Carbide. And once you view the video below that captures a series of cutting tool tests, it's easy to see why.

Productive machining is all about keeping spindles turning and making chips. Time spent touching off tools, adjusting tool length and offsets in the spindle and doing test cuts is time—and money—wasted. That's the value proposition presented by manufacturers of tool presetters, and it's one that, surprisingly, is a bit of a hard sell in some shops.

It's never been easier to recycle cutting tools, which produces both cost savings and environmental benefits.

A look at portable measurement technologies and their applications.

Better technology boosts use of EDMs for production applications.

Nanotechnology opens up new coating possibilities and performance.