C UTTING T OOLS AND

A CCESSORIES

O ver the past three to four decades industry in the United States has been affected by intense global competition from industries using the latest technologies in their manufacturing methods. Superabrasive tooling, designed to increase productivity, produce better quality products, and reduce manufacturing costs, can cut and grind the hardest materials known.

The fundamental cutting processes in machining - those of bringing the work into contact with the cutting tool - should remain mainstays of the industry. One of the most important components in the machining process is the cutting tool and its performance determines the efficiency of the operation. Modern tooling systems that can accommodate increased spindle speeds, higher feed rates, increased radial loads, modular adaptability, and profitable short part runs are required by manufacturers to stay competitive.

M ODULAR T OOLING

( Arthur Gill, Consultant – Kelmar Associates )

Worldwide manufacturing markets require tooling systems that combine high accuracy, consistent repeatability, quickchange qualities, and high-pressure coolant capability. Modern tooling systems that can accommodate increased spindle speeds, higher feed rates, increased radial loads, modular adaptability, and profitable short part runs are required by manufacturers to stay competitive.

Modular tooling systems are made up of a number of components (modules) that are used in a variety of ways to meet the requirements of specific job applications. Modular tooling is a complete tooling system that provides versatility and the flexibility to assemble the combination of cutting tools and holders necessary to manufacture a part, Fig. 3-3-1. A modular tooling system must have rigidity,  accuracy, and quick-change capability; this provides an effective tooling system that is the basis for increased productivity.

Fig. 3-3-1 Modular tooling systems should have rigidity, accuracy, and quick-change capability. (Sandvik Coromant)

Modular tooling systems eliminate the cost of maintaining a large tool inventory. These systems include a basic clamping (holding) unit mounted in a spindle or turret that holds a variety of cutting units, or cutting tool carriers. The cutting units consist of adapters, extensions, toolholders, and inserts that can be assembled to perform a wide range of milling, drilling, boring, and turning operations.