Tech Zones

Survival Of The Fittest: This advanced machining operation kills their competition by integrating tool holders and shrink-fit technology into a single system that ensures machine accuracy and lengthens tool and spindle life.

Quiet Riot: Because inventory was out of control, this tool crib was the busiest area in the plant. No one knew where any tools were to manufacture scheduled assemblies. But now, after installing an integrated tool management system, the tool crib is the quietest area in the building.

Brendt Holden of Haimer USA examines new precision tool holder technology that prevents the danger of pulling the cutter out of the chuck with the increased force behind high performance cutting.

Ay Chihuahua: Debottlenecking a big, rough milling job in a Mexican off-road equipment plant.

The NTMA Business Projections Report for Winter 2008 states that the bursting of the credit bubble will likely have a lasting effect on the economy this year, though some sectors will remain strong.

Seco Tools Inc. introduces Helix™ wiper geometries for operations in high feed machining of case hardened steels where standard wipers cannot be used due to vibrations caused by a weak setup or lower radial cutting forces.

Lyndex Nikken offers its 5AX-200II CNC Rotary Table, designed for high-speed rotation. The table performs with high accuracy and has the fastest rotating and tilting speeds in the industry as well as exceptional brake torque.

Hardinge offers its HCAC® Collet Adaptation Chucks. These chucks will adapt any spindle to accept C-series collets, 3J collets, B42/ B65 collets, #22/ #11 B&S collets, style-S master collets and dead-length® collets.

Kennemetal, Inc. has developed new UP turning inserts for its Kenna Perfect turning system in order to offer improved turning geometry for demanding stainless steel applications. The new design offers improved chip control in 300-series stainless steels and provides a soft cutting action, resulting in lower cutting forces.

Sumitomo's new PcBN premium grade BNC300 features a ceramic-based coating and machines hardened steels with interrupted cuts. The BNC300's tough PcBN substrate, combined with a TiAIN ceramic gold coating, result in extended tool life in interrupted turning applications.