Tooling
New Vises Decrease Part Setup Time
During heavy milling operations, parts tended to creep upward and out of alignment within the vise jaws at this shop in Minnesota. Small chips got imbedded between the part and vise jaws, causing all kinds of problems. The company couldn’t operate its new Bridgeport VMC 1000 XP3 to its full potential on this part project, so the company's owner looked for a better workholding solution.
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No Touch Up Needed For ER Collet Tools
Downtime, long setup times and hiring skilled employees for night shifts are some of the problems every shop has. In its shop, American Torch Tip has completely integrated the quick-change tool system and drastically reduced those problems by developing a system that will go in any ER-style holder. Tools can now be preset off the machine, during the first shift and while the machines are running.
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Accurate Barstock Alignment Provides Faster Speeds
Recent developments in sliding-headstock turning machines allow for faster feed rates and higher spindle speeds—both aimed at increasing throughput to improve productivity. Sometimes, though, these machines cannot reach their full potential because of other equipment that runs in conjunction with it.
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Reliable Monitoring For Small Tools
Continuous developments in sensor technology for machine tool monitoring open new possibilities and solutions for in-process tool breakage and tool wear detection. This article looks at effective ways to approach the problem of in-process tool monitoring.
Read MoreApplications Determine Workholding Solutions
Every turning application has a number of factors that should be considered when making the decision between a collet or a three-jaw chuck.
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Reduce Waste And Increase Efficiency With Carbide Recycling
As a cost-saving measure and to comply with environmental considerations, many shops turn to recycling programs for scrap and worn tooling. With increasing consumption of non-renewable raw materials and to help counteract the effects of high carbide prices, some manufacturers are providing recycling programs to help companies increase productivity and efficiency.
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The Art And Science Of Precision Cutting Tools
Machine tools become faster and more stable while cutting tools get tougher, longer lasting and geometrically more complex. I visited a premier German cutting tool manufacturer to look at the state of the art of making carbide cutting tools that complement today’s machine tool technology.
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Process-Oriented Measuring Technology For Turning Tools
Because tools create the geometric shape of a workpiece, the accuracy of this shape is dependent on the position of the cutting edge to the workpiece. Therefore, the position of the cutting edge should be identified and maintained as precisely as possible. One reliable method for achieving the accuracy needed is through the use of a laser system for tool setting.
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Putting More Teeth In Thread Whirling
When it comes to producing OD threads in difficult-to-machine metals, few processes are as fast or as efficient as the thread whirling process. Although the process is not new, its popularity is increasing because of the growing availability of thread whirling tooling for single-spindle Swiss screw machines that provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to investing in dedicated thread whirling machines.
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Workholding Advantages Of Barstock
Barstock is versatile raw material. It’s easily held, easily fed and has significant capacity for many parts per bar. Usually we think of barstock and bar feeders in relation to turning machines. What about applying the advantages of automatically fed barstock to a vertical machining center?
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