Navigating customer portals
Internet portals won't transport you into the future—but your company will likely be using them soon if it is not already.
Operation / Process
Machining
Pros and cons of indexable tools
The single most significant benefit offered by indexable tools is the ability to renew the cutting edge without having to remove the cutting tool from production.
Conversational programming for 5-axis machines
Five-axis programming is difficult, requires an expensive CAM system and an even more-expensive programmer to sit in front of a computer all day cranking out complicated G code. Right? Not necessarily.
WS40PM Milling Grade
WS40PM's cobalt-rich substrate provides robust fatigue resistance and edge integrity, while the multiphase AlTiN-TiN PVD coating reduces tool wear, making it suitable for a range of high-temp steel alloys, austenitic and PH stainless steels, nickel-based superalloys such as Hastelloy and Nitronic, and titanium.
Mill 4-11 Indexable Milling Cutter
Kennametal is expanding its Mill 4 family with a new cutting tool, the Mill 4-11. Designed for smaller machining centers, the Mill 4-11 accommodates 40-taper CAT and BT, HSK 50 and similarly-sized spindles. Due to its free-cutting capabilities, it is ideal for successful metal removal in less-than-rigid setups and on light-duty machine tools, multitaskers and live-tool lathes.
Inspection Plus Software with SupaTouch
Renishaw's new enhanced probing software package automatically optimizes on-machine measurement cycles to minimize cycle time and maximize productivity. Inspection Plus with SupaTouch enhances the proven benefits of Renishaw's established Inspection Plus software and features an easy-to-use optimization process that automatically determines and selects the highest feedrates a machine tool can achieve while maintaining measurement accuracy.
ServoBelt Rotary Stages
ServoBelt rotary stages from Bell Everman are compact, high-torque rotary stages that offer through hole size and speed comparable to direct-drive rotary tables costing thousands more, according to the company.
In Screen We Trust
IMTS 2016 featured more tools and systems for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) than ever, observed Cutting Tool Engineering Editor Alan Richter in his October 2016 Lead Angle column.
3D Printing, To Infinity and Beyond
An October 2016 Look Ahead piece takes a sidelong look at 3D printing.
Becoming Familiar With Code
With the advent of CAM software, generating G code is no longer the big deal it was a few decades ago. A CAM system will generate all the G code you need in a matter of seconds. Presented here is the first part of a multiple-part series of columns on the subject.
Improving Daily Management
Cutting Tool Engineering's Machinist's Corner columnist shares his experience with various continuous-improvement processes, such as 5S, kaizen events and gemba walks, and a recent rapid-improvement event. The target was the company's daily operations management.
Sound Shakes Up Machining
With an assist from sound that humans can't hear, machining can be a cooler and faster process—and yield more accurate results to boot, according to the September 2016 Machine Technology column in Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.