General Tools | Epic Tool - Part 2
Epic Tool

Speeding Up Your Tool Change Time

CNC Tools Speed

It is not uncommon for machining centres to have automatic tool changing devices to automate the tool changing process. Newer models exhibit quicker tool changing times. If you’re trying to minimize cycle time, there may be some things you can do to reduce tool change time. Reducing tool changing time will make the machine more […]

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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Parts

Millstar Canada

Unnecessary Machining A common mistake when designing parts is designing unnecessary features to machine. Such unnecessary machining adds to your run time and final production cost. There are many approaches that may be a neat addition to your machine visually, but add significant run time to machine away the remaining material. Instead, eliminate the need […]

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What Is SFM in Machining?

YesTool

What does SFM stand for? In terms of CNC operations, the acronym SFM stands for Surface Feet per Minute. But what does that mean? Well, it’s how quickly a cutting tool moves across the surface of a workpiece during a CNC machining operation cycle. For machinists, it’s an easily understood common denominator for describing tool […]

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Reducing Heat Generation in Cutting Tool Applications

heat generation

Heat is a natural byproduct with any cutting tool application, but it’s important that you know how to minimize it, as it will improve the life of your tool. Heat isn’t always bad and doesn’t need to totally be avoided, although, controlling heat will help prolong your tool life. Taking every precaution possible to redirect […]

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CNC Machining Within the Automotive Industry

CNC Machine

The automotive industry has established itself on innovation and improvement since its inception in the 1860’s, and manufacturing advances have been responsible for a great deal of automotive innovations. For example, take Henry Ford, 1913; he revolutionized auto assembly and mass production with the first moving assembly line and automation and streamlining have remained two […]

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Slotting Efficiently With Miniature Cutting Tools

Millstar Canada

Slotting is one of the most difficult operations on a tool. Whether your tool is a 1” diameter drill or a .032” precision end mill, during slotting operations, a lot of force and pressure is applied to the entire cutting edge of the tool. This results in slower speeds and feeds and increased tool wear, […]

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Working With Carbon-Fiber Composites: Aerospace

Carbon-Fiber Composites

In aerospace, working with lightweight composite materials is more than common. Standard tools and methods designed for working metal just won’t cut it when it comes to manufacturing aerospace components made for these specific materials. Carbon-fiber material is also very abrasive, so with a typical cutting tool that may last for several hundred holes on […]

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5 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF HIGH-FEED MILLING PROCESSES

Millstar USA

High-feed milling is a process that maximizes the removal of material in the shortest amount of time. If not applied properly, high-feed milling can create some improper results, which is why some manufacturers have begun to move away from the process due to what they consider reliability concerns. For machinists that would like to take […]

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4 & 6 Flute High Feed End Mills

flute high feed end mills

High-efficiency milling has gotten a lot of attention in recent years as a way to substantially increase metal removal rates with solid carbide end mills on almost any kind of milling machine. Although, a common mistake is that many shops confuse HSM (high speed machining) with HFM (high feed machining).  A High Feed End Mill […]

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Vapor Deposition Techniques: PVD

Aircraft Manufacturing

Vapor deposition techniques are the preferred processes for thin coatings because the techniques produce products with superior hardness, wear resistance, smoothness and oxidation resistance on tools such as end-mills, drills and reamers. These thin coatings made through vapor deposition are typically able to function in unique, high-stress environments. Of the two general categories of vapor […]

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