Chris Koepfer Editor Emeritus

Toolholders 15 Jun 2002

Up To 12 Tools In One Holder

Imagine a single cutting toolholder that can be used to perform 12 distinct metalcutting operations without a tool change. That's the concept behind a new cutting tool innovation designed and built by Mazak.

Holemaking 15 Jun 2002

Good Planning Makes Better Threaded Holes

Hole making is as common an operation as exists in metalworking. Tapping those holes is also very common. Finding a way to get quality threads and using efficient processing are ongoing jobs for this Indiana shop.

15 May 2002

Ultrasonic Technology Helps Machine Hard Materials

Unlike applications in medicine, inspection and parts cleaning where ultrasonic (high frequency sound) waves are applied directly, ultrasonic machining is a metalcutting process that is facilitated by ultrasonic technology.

2 May 2002

Sorry, Mr. Jefferson

If asked to choose between American's most fundamental political philosophies—which most would concede are federalism and states' rights—I generally will favor the latter. In that sense I fall into what's referred to as the Jeffersonian camp.

Grinding 15 Apr 2002

When Does Hard Turn/Grind Make Sense?

Combining different operations on a single machine tool platform is an attractive and increasingly popular idea. It is in practice, however, not always a plug and play substitution. Optimizing distinct metalcutting operations into a single cycle takes planning and a good understanding of the pluses and minuses of each.

1 Apr 2002

Are We Ready For Recovery?

Like the defenders at Stalingrad during World War II, for the last year or so the metalworking industry has been hunkered down under assault from the seemingly relentless siege cannons of recession. And the industry has had casualties.

Workholding 15 Mar 2002

Concentric Clamps Hold Down Setup Time

A problem for many shops is that workpiece blanks vary from one to another. This is especially true with molded part blanks such as castings and forgings. These variations require some flexibility from the workholding device.

1 Mar 2002

Educating The Educators

Let’s forget about the current manufacturing recession for a minute. Instead, let’s ask ourselves two questions (a) Where were we before it? And (b) where will we be after recovery? Prior to the recession, the No.

High-Speed Machining 15 Feb 2002

High Speed And Torque: One Spindle Drive

Most metalcutting operations divide into one of two processing camps. First is the need to remove large volumes of material using high depth of cut and relatively slower feeds and speeds. On the other end of the spectrum is high speed machining, which calls for shallow depth of cut with correspondingly high rotational speeds and fast feed rates.

5 Feb 2002