| By :
Nadine Davis
Copyright (c) 2010 Nadine Davis The 5 axis machining process presents a unique opportunity to gain productivity increases through the use of specialist machine tools. Basic machine tools have been around for several centuries, and have become much more sophisticated since the advent of the CNC (computer numerically controlled) machining process. A machine operator must make some fundamental choices about the type of machine tool to be used in any given process, as a wrong choice can mean wasted material and in some cases, damage to the machine itself. This information might seem a little too basic to an experienced and competent operator, but for those of us who don't know so much, following is a quick overview of some of the most common variations of machine tools available today, plus their uses: Broaching tool - a toothed tool used for removal of material - can machine flat surfaces and create circular and non-circular holes - works particularly well with forgings, medium-sized castings, stampings and screw machine parts. Pedestal, bench or pillar drill - also known as a drill press - a common machine tool which, as its name implies, drills holes in metal. Gear shaper - this tool cuts the teeth of external and internal gears, using different shapers. Hobber - used for making gears and sprockets - low cost yet highly accurate in comparison to other machine tools. There are different types of hobbers such as serration hobs, semi-topping gear hobs, worm wheel hobs and straight side spline hobs. Lathe - common piece of tooling for a machine shop - designed to cut cylindrical metal stock, but can also produce screw threads, tapered work, knurled surfaces and can drill holes. Planer - a large shaper that moves the entire table underneath the cutter, enabling the production of extremely accurate flat surfaces as the machine can remove a large amount of metal with precision in a single pass. It can also cut slots such as keyways. Hone - an abrasive machining process where an abrasive stone is scrubbed along a controlled path to improve the geometric surface and sometimes the surface texture - mainly used for finishing cylinders for engines, air bearing spindles and gears. Many machine tools are made from high-speed steel alloyed with chromium, cobalt and tungsten to create a strong, hard and durable cutting edge that is also resistant to heat caused by friction. This heat is consumed with the administering of a lubricating fluid on the contact area to cool it, and it also creates a smooth surface finish. These are just a few examples of the different types of machine tools used by industries and companies such as Precision Machining Townsville and serves to provide basic information for the curious. Most machine tools are capable of self-replication, and their primary function is to produce machine parts.
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