Machining

For his July 2017 Manager's Desk column, Keith Jennings writes that the greatest concern at his company is the impact cell phones have on shop safety. Another factor is the ease and preference of some employees and customers to communicate via cell phone, bypassing the main phone line and the human or automated receptionist.

Resharpening dull taps by hand is probably not a good idea when you could be making parts. Plus, a thorough reconditioning requires a grinder designed for grinding the actual tap form. So resharpening dull taps is one job best left to the experts.

Deciding whether to use a turret or gang tooling is one of many topics that seems to engender religious fervor from one side to the other. Let's start by providing a brief overview of each approach and then dive into the details.

Machine tools are heavy. Moving them yourself can be dangerous, causing damage to people and machinery alike. But with the right tools, knowledge of how to use them and some common sense, DIY machine moving is possible—though not always recommended.

Monster Tool says its LRNF and HPNF high-performance, solid-carbide endmill line for aluminum and nonferrous applications has been expanded into one of the largest industryofferings available with a wide range of fractional sizes from 1/8" – 1" in diameter, stub length to extra-long flute lengths, reduced necks for extended-reach applications, and corner radius assortment from 0.010" - 0.250".

Controx milling cutters are suitable for the grooving of rotary vane and turbo pump rotors and other rotors requiring precision depth and width control. Slot widths of up to 5/8" and depths to 3" are possible with or without contour in the slot base.

Marposs offers its high-accuracy Mida Diamond touch probes, which feature piezo-electric technology and are designed for 5-axis machining centers and milling machines. These probes, available in optical or radio transmission styles, provide enhanced measurement performance on 3D surfaces with repeatability within 0.25 µm and are well-suited to industries where precision requirements are pushed to the limits daily, such as die and mold, aerospace, aeronautics and biomedical.

The latest release of Edgecam software introduces a new turning cycle that includes B-axis movements while machining on a turning center. This new feature in Edgecam 2017 R2 allows greater accessibility when machining complex profiles, by dynamically positioning the insert.

All Haas Multigrind grinding centers are available with an automatic wheel changer. This feature enables Haas customers to combine multiple, high-precision, complex grinding and milling operations into a single part clamping and single machine cycle.

CNC Software announces the release of Mastercam 2018 Router. Mastercam 2018 Router brings a new suite of programming tools focused on delivering speed, automation and efficiency for all machining jobs.

In VERICUT 8.1 from CGTech, a new additive manufacturing (AM) module has been employed, along with enhanced support for Force optimization, workpiece sectioning, X-Caliper measurement tool, report template, and grinding and dressing operations.

Arno Werkzeuge USA has expanded its Swiss-style program of cutting tools, holders, inserts and through-coolant systems for Swiss CNC auto lathes. Applications for Swiss auto lathes are known for their unique machining requirements for extremely long, thin, small parts with great precision and accuracy and, therefore, require very specific tooling.