Cutting with particle beams
A new "particle beam" technology for machining carbon-based and ceramic matrix composites.
Operation / Process
Drilling & Boring
Hidden gems
Overlooked areas can improve indexable-insert cutting tool performance.
New energy drives manufacturing
The Lead Angle editorial in the May 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering ponders some major developments that are remaking the energy market and, with it, manufacturing.
Evolving toward digital
Boring tools with a digital readout aren't the standard in U.S. shops, but their use is growing.
Millhog Commander ID Clamping End Prep Tool
A portable end prep tool for heavy wall stainless steel pipe and difficult-to-machine alloys that pulls a thick chip without cutting oils for producing superior welds is available from ESCO Tool.
Transmitting tool
The Look Ahead department in the April 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering also looks at a mechatronic cutting tool for large back counterboring and back spotfacing applications.
Why so cross?
Drilling cross-holes in some parts is no big deal. These are often simple parts, such as aluminum valve bodies, where the holes aren't too deep and meet on-center, and the customer can live with a small burr at the intersection.
Boring Tools
BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. has been adding digital boring head options since 2010, beginning with the Series 112 for small diameter finish boring. Recent additions covering the middle range and large diameter range mean the company now offers a digital boring head to cover the full spectrum of finish boring sizes and series.
MAF-E Series Horizontal Boring Mills
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) has developed a new series of table-type horizontal boring mills, known as the "MAF-E Series," targeting applications in the machining of parts used in various industrial fields, including construction machinery, heavy-duty vehicles, power generation systems and decelerators.
Dialing up precision holemaking
END USER: 1-866-Dial-EDM, (866) DIAL-EDM, 1866dialedm.com. CHALLENGE: Produce a high volume of 0.006"-dia., 1/16"-deep blind-holes in an exotic material. SOLUTION: An EDM drill. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Britton Machinery Sales Inc., (585) 241-3267; GF AgieCharmilles, (800) 282-1336, www.us.gfac.com
MicroKom BluFlex
The KOMET GROUP has equipped its fine adjustment head MicroKom BluFlex with modern wireless networking to make setting work easier for machine users.
Holemaking with Kennametal
Dr. Tilo Krieg, director of Global Holemaking and Solid Endmilling Products at Kennametal Inc., offers an overview of the KSEM Plus, which combines the advantages of modular drills with indexable milling inserts on the outside diameter.