With machine tool capability a given, and the proper choice of cutting tool and toolholder being made, HSM is a snap, right? Not exactly. Particular focus must be given to the assembly of tool and holder. […]
Cutting tool challenges such as the ability to avoid chatter, deflection and minimize runout are equally determined by the rigidity, concentricity and balance of the toolholder. There are numerous choices for toolholding, and no one set answer for all applications. Among these are collet style, those that use a (arbor) set-screw, hydraulic holders and of [...]
To permit for these maximum rpm applications, cutting tools have to be precise and long lasting, or more accurately, predictable, especially in unmanned operations. They also have to be capable of holding tolerance at these high speeds, and resist deflection and vibration especially in applications with longer overhangs. Balance, edge preparation, geometry and cutting tool [...]
For machining small dimensions, various HSS, brazed tools and solid carbide endmills are used. Normally up to about 8.0 mm in diameter, all tools are solid, while larger diameter endmills are more and more made with indexable inserts. Small endmills are ground on the periphery, […]
New octagonal inserts offer eight cutting edges for more economical facing, shouldering, slotting, recessing and chamfering applications. […]
The most recent and growing family of inserts are square, helical shapes for improved economy and performance. These new square insert geometries combine the helical cutting edge on all four edges with an additional wiper on one of the extremities to perform for 90′ sidewall milling operations. […]
For multifunction operations in machining small slots and shapes, various companies offer a single endmill body on which various interchangeable heads can be mounted. The versatility of the system allows shoulder milling, slot milling, small surface face milling, profiling, drilling, chamfering and ramp down operations. […]
For the machining of dies and molds, a very wide selection of cutting tools is necessary. As an example of a complicated shape requiring a large variety of cutting tools, you might observe the lower part of a mounted mold for injection molding of an electronics panel part,The mold requires facing of large and small [...]
To adequately analyze the situation, three scenarios were considered as they applied to the machining community: (1) a decrease in cutting tool cost, (2) an increase in cutting tool life and (3) an increase in cutting tool cost coupled with the resulting increase in productivity. In the first situation, a 30 percent discount was taken [...]
Two-dimensional/3-D mold design is probably the most popular way of designing a mold today – you can have control over the appearance of the flat 2-D design, the speed of the initial layout, and the precise geometry and functionality of the 3-D solid model. Many customers today provide a 3-D solid model to the mold [...]