Machining

Grinding fundamentals: understanding wheel preparation and grinding fluids.

Understanding the fundamentals and possibilities of grinding, part 1.

A new drill point geometry developed by a tool and cutter grinder. The through-coolant drill is ground in such a way that a hollowed out chamber on the face of the tip retains coolant in the cutting zone while hydraulic forces that are created push fluid to the cutting edge.

Tips for deep-hole tapping in titanium and other aerospace-grade materials. Advice is provided by NIST and the International Titanium Association.

A new turning tool emits an electric signal when its insert reaches a predetermined wear point or breaks. Called Sensor Tool, sections of the coated insert are ablated by a laser, thereby creating an electronic circuit.

A look at the various types of CNC lathes available to shops contemplating stepping up from a manual machine. The pros and cons of the following lathes are discussed: combination, cutoff, slant-bed, twin-spindle and turn/mill. The author also touches on available options.

Cutting forces cause the boring bar to deflect, which can lead to vibration and damaged workpieces. The author gives an overview of available boring bars and offers guidelines for selecting one for a specific application.

Grinding burn is a general term used to describe various types of thermal damage that occur to the workpiece during grinding.

The author discusses three recent advancements in electrical discharge machining: the use of linear motors on EDMs, wire EDMs with an automatic slug-removal capability and dielectric fluid additives that yield finer part finishes.

Metalworking companies have a "cradle-to-grave" responsibility for the fluids they use. Improper disposal can lead to costly fines. Article discusses the ramifications of improper disposal and how to develop a plan to constantly improve the condition of a shop's metalworking fluid.

The author provides guidelines shops can follow when selecting a PC-based CAD/CAM system. Selection guidelines include: CAD functionality, CAM functionality, NC code output, vendor evaluation and hardware selection.

Author discusses the advantages of CVD-diamond tools compared to other types of diamond tools. He also explains how CVD-diamond tools are manufactured and gives case histories involving their usage.