Articles & Columns

A Look Ahead piece in the September 2016 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine looks at a topography-based, design-optimization tool kit aimed at simplifying design for manufacturing.

People in the industry continue to proactively do something about overcoming the skills gap, and I’d like to highlight two such efforts.

Specialty subscription websites bring together job shops and manufacturers looking to sub out work.

A close look at the evolving technology of tool presetting.

Shop Operations column looks at the benefits of becoming familiar with CAM software.

The metalworking fluids commonly applied during machining processes generate airborne mists that must be carefully controlled.

Machine tool users wouldn’t benefit from through-spindle coolant (TSC) without rotary unions, which bring together spinning and stationary components to improve coolant delivery.

The trade show of trade shows—IMTS—is coming to Chicago’s McCormick Place.

Combo machines bridge an important gap between manual and CNC equipment.

A look at the strengths and weaknesses of solid and indexable-insert drills.

Ceramic composite cutting tools are effective for machining heat-resistant superalloys and other challenging materials.

Cutting Tool Engineering provides coverage of more than 210 of the products that exhibitors will showcase at IMTS 2016. They are divided into tooling and workholding products, machine tools and accessories, and metalworking products. Presented here is the preview for Metalworking Products.

Cutting Tool Engineering provides coverage of more than 210 of the products that exhibitors will showcase at IMTS 2016. They are divided into tooling and workholding products, machine tools and accessories, and metalworking products. Presented here is the preview for Tooling & Workholding.

Cutting Tool Engineering provides coverage of more than 210 of the products that exhibitors will showcase at IMTS 2016. They are divided into tooling and workholding products, machine tools and accessories, and metalworking products. Presented here is the preview for Machine Tools & Accessories.

END USER: General Products Corp., (260) 668-1475, www.general-products.com. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Haggard & Stocking Associates Inc., (800) 622-4824, www.haggard-stocking.com; Rigibore Inc., (262) 363-3922, www.rigiboreinc.com. CHALLENGE: Overcome the concerns of applying fixed-pocket, brazed-PCD boring tools. SOLUTION: Special “one-shot” adjustable boring tools that accept replaceable PCD inserts.

END USER: Precise Machining & Manufacturing LLC, (918) 438-3121, www.accurusaero.com/locations/precise-machining-manufacturing-llc. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Koma Precision Inc., (800) 951-3152, www.komaprecision.com. CHALLENGE: Add 5-axis capabilities to a horizontal machining center and decrease part setup time. SOLUTION: A rotary table.

Most PVD coaters use cathodic-arc evaporation, in which an electric arc vaporizes the coating material from a cathode. The vaporized material condenses on the tool, resulting in a wear-resistant coating imbued with whatever qualities the coater is looking to impart to the tool. But there’s another, less-common physical-vapor-deposition method called high-power impulse magnetron sputtering, or HIPIMS, that combines the advantages of high ionization from cathodic-arc techniques with the superior adhesion of magnetron sputtering.

Throughout the sometimes-contentious world of machining, the debate rages about whether to apply flood coolant or cut dry. As in many areas of machining, the choice is not easy and requires careful and informed consideration. To further complicate the decision, minimum-quantity lubrication (MQL) can be a successful compromise that provides an efficient and effective answer to the troublesome question. 

Burrs present a hazard to those who handle parts during and after the manufacturing process. The deburring method can have a major impact on cycle time, cost, quality and customer satisfaction.

Before CNC lathes, single-point threading was a pain in the neck. Fast reflexes were needed to engage an engine lathe’s lead-screw dial at precisely the right time and disengage it before crashing into the shoulder. Around the time of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration, tape-operated lathes made all of this headache obsolete. No more fooling with clumsy gearboxes or levers. You simply programmed where you wanted the tool to go and the machine control took care of the rest.