Machining

STROTHMANN continuously improves its RoundTrack technology and incorporates customer requirements. Now, the quadro turnstile, the youngest RoundTrack crossing, is even thinner, facilitating an effort-saving in-floor installation.

Makino announces the D300 5-axis vertical machining center as the newest entry into the 5-axis aerospace machining arena.

Dapra Corp. has introduced precision-ground Ball Nose inserts with PCD tips.

A high performance 11-axis CNC system from NUM has enabled machine tool manufacturer Sicmat to create a gear honing machine for post-hardening fine finishing.

Royal Products has introduced the Econo-Rack, a device that safely collects finished parts as they come off of any bar-fed CNC lathe.

Presented as an online supplement to Cutting Tool Engineering's July 2012 report on high-speed milling, the following video from the RobbJack Corp., Lincoln, Calif., demonstrate a variety of high-speed milling operations.

The CTE editorial staff offers a machine tool product review.

END USER: Mercury Marine, (920) 929-5000, www.mercurymarine.com. CHALLENGE: To increase productivity when machining driveshafts and propeller shafts. SOLUTION: A lathe with a hob assembly.

END USER: Mainland Machine, (805) 543-7149, www.mainlandmachine.com. CHALLENGE: Increase spindle run times. SOLUTION: CAM system that enables efficient programming when machining with custom fixture plates.

As a follow-up to my April column, here are additional tips for enhancing the operation of a manual lathe.

Linear motion of machine tool axes is often achieved using screws and nuts.

I use resin- and metal-bond diamond wheels and used to manually stick them. Now our machine does it automatically and I don't have the "feel" to determine if the wheel is being stuck hard enough. Is there a way to know how fast I should stick?