Holemaking

Repetitive Part Cutting: Improve Productivity by Learning Path Error

Significant improvements in speed and accuracy are now possible by using a CNC system that can learn and correct for its path error. Expanding the functions of learning control past specialized machines into general machining is the next step in the evolution. Now learning functions can be applied to free profile machining, drilling and tapping. The benefits of applying learning control come from its ability to correct for path and synchronous error seen in repetitive cycles. Once learning is complete reduced cycle times and increased accuracy result.

Dealing With A Spot Drill’s True Point Position

A spot drill has a 90-degree point angle, which makes it easy to calculate the depth of a hole to be spot-drilled. You simply divide the diameter of the spot-drilled hole.

Boring System With Adjustable Head

Automotive Supplier Speeds Metal Removal With Boring Mill

In an industry where one in three shops has closed during the past 10 years, Fischer Tool and Die's business is thriving. According to the Temperance, Michigan shop, this is because its growth stems from die cast work for the automotive 'new domestics,' a term for transplants.

Self-Reversing Tapping Head Speeds CNC Production Job

When Prestige Precision Products (PPP), a shop in Rochester, New York, began ramping up for a recent high-production job, it made a substantial investment in new equipment dedicated to the project. Among the acquisitions were a new HMC with a pallet changer, customized tombstone fixtures for the pallets and some innovative tooling items. The part, an aluminum component for the automotive industry, had one hole to be drilled and tapped.

Re-Designing The Reamer

This reaming system uses a multiple-cutting-edge, solid carbide cutting disc that can be changed as easily as an end mill's insert.

A Few Tricks With Turning Center Canned Cycles

Most turning centers are equipped with some helpful canned cycles. Fanuc, for example, has three simple, one-pass canned cycles (G90 for turning and boring; G92 for threading; and G94 for facing).

Near-Dry Machining Tackles Large-Diameter Work

Tru-Cut Manufacturing's foray into near-dry cutting began approximately 5 years ago. At that time, the masonry drill bit producer based in Cary, Illinois implemented the Accu-Lube line of lubricants and equipment from ITW Rocol (Glenview, Illinois) to achieve safer, more profitable metalworking operations.

Chip-Free Drilling Process Creates Holes And Bushings

This chip-free drilling technique can create both a hole and support bushing in thin-walled parts in one machining operation.

Marine Supplier Meets Tricky Tolerances With Presetter And Measuring Machine

For its supercharged six-cylinder Verado outboard motor range, Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) set and met multiple new tolerances. One of the trickier tooling tolerances had to do with the valve seat boring tools. The company's Mazak machining centers incorporate 15 of these long, narrow, multi-insert tools to finish machine the 24-valve seats, intake and exhaust in the one-piece aluminum cylinder head. Because valve clearances are factory-adjusted and are designed to remain within tolerance for several thousand hours, close machining tolerances are essential.