 Remember to replace your spindle cleaners on a regular basis so that you aren't using worn out cleaners. What you think is helping to preserve your valuable Machine Tool/Presetter might actually be hurting it. When replaced regularly, spindle cleaners can prolong the life of your machine, tools & holders, and tool cleaners enhance the repeatability to the machine spindle. This is a perfect example of how a small investment can make a big impact. 
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We are very excited to announce that we are now able to offer on-site technical training to YOUR machinists at YOUR location! This is offered at no charge to customers who use any of the manufacturer's whom we represent in California and Nevada. However, just because you don't purchase things from us, don't feel left out! We also offer on-site topic specter training on any of the following topics for $150/hour. Each presentation lasts about 2 hours. The presentations last approximately 45-60 minutes with the remaining time for Q&A and discussion about unique applications in your facility.  Training Classes Available: Machining 101
Advanced Part Manufacturing:
 Guest Blog: Alan Miller Engineering Manager & Product Manager BIG alan.miller@us.bigkaiser.com Tel: 224.770.2903 Proper clamping techniques will ensure the proper operation of all mechanical milling chucks.  After the tool is released it is also very important to rotate the nut two additional rotations after the tool can be removed. With MEGA Double Power and Hi-Power Slim type chucks it is very important to stop when the nut contacts the main body.
If the operator over tightens or “jerks” the wrench after contact is made, the two faces will wring together making it much more difficult to loosen the tool. After the tool is released it is also very important to rotate the nut two additional rotations after the tool can be removed. This makes sure the chuck is fully released and is ready to be clamped again. If the chuck is retightened without fully releasing the nut the gripping strength will be reduced. Since the introduction of the XT Series 4 flute, 5 flute and the new 279 series 4 flute ball nose end mills they have proven to be a huge success in the machining of Titanium and stainless steels. These tools have already made their impact in the machining of many other areas such as all steels and super alloys. MA Ford's spotlight focus is on some other materials that are widely used in the market. 17-4 PH stainless many feel is somewhat difficult to machine and performance may vary depending on the material hardness. That is not the case with the new XT series end mills. These tools do not seem to care what hardness is presented to them! 28-42 RC is primary range for this series of stainless steel. Example: A customer had a very difficult 17-4 PH medical component with lots of contouring both roughing and finishing. A 1/2" 279 Series was used for roughing the profile at 600 SFM with a depth of .015 and .025 step over at 80 IPM. The customer had to double the speeds and feeds as well as increase the step over to get the desired finish required! The 277 Series 4 flute can full slot up to 1X dia. depth at speeds as high as 260 to 340 SFM. The chip loads will be lighter than profile milling dependent on the tool diameter and fixture set up. The slotting depth can be increased even beyond 1X depth (which generally requires a reduction in speeds and feeds). The 278 Series 5 flute can slot up to 1X depth effectively but slotting is more suited for the 4 flute 277 Series if a lot of slotting is to be done. The speeds and feeds are the same as the 277, but calculations must be made for the additional cutting edge. It is not recommended to slot over 1X the tool diameter with this 5 flute tools as it is best suited for profile milling both conventional and high speed machining. The new 279 Series 4 flute ball nose end mill is an excellent choice for both conventional and high speed machining of stainless steels. With the added radial relief and a thicker cross section in the center of the tools it can withstand extreme speeds and feeds both roughing and contouring.  Complex part shapes have time consuming part loads to assure the part is properly nested before machining. Blue Photon makes a hard to load part easy and reduces the number of loads. Traditional workholding does not usually utilize a machine’s full capabilities because of limited machining access therefore multiple workholding fixtures and process steps are required. *Labor cost per part was calculated @ $50.00 per hour, based on 21 hours run time per (3) 8 hour shifts/5 day work weeks. 6,240 total hrs. per year  Blue Photon Workholding Labor savings chart How the blue photon system realized reduce labor costWith Blue Photon workholding technology, once the part is bonded to the transfer tool it can be loaded into all machines using the same machine mounted workholding fixture system such as Erowa, System 3R etc. The workpiece loads in seconds.
The ability of Blue Photon workholding technology to hold the workpiece on one side providing 5 and in some cases 6 side machining access is unheard of when machining castings and other near-net shape parts. There is also reduced foot print for this cell and reduced capital investment to create the cell because multiple operations can be done in one workholding. NTK's industry leading line of ceramic cutting tools recently expanded with new solid CERAMIC end mills! You can see our product announcement here: NTK now offers SX9 Ceramic End Mills for Cutting Exotic Alloys which contains the various features. Below is the technical info on how to run the NTK Ceramic End mills and a troubleshooting guide. NTK's SX9 cermaic end mill grade can run at speeds of 2000 SFM. The line-up includes 4 and 6 flutes in inch and metric versions. Again, you can learn more about on our Blog Post. Solid ceramic end mills are made with SX9 SiAlON grade substrate which features a balance of toughness and wear resistance. It's suitable for even the most demanding applications.
Gernarel Recomendations for machining heat resistant alloys & PH stainless steel
 NTK Ceramic end mills Troubleshooting guide As with any other techncial questions please get in touch with us on our CONTACTS page and we can provide both over-the-phone troubleshooting or schedule at time for on-site techncial training.
 The concept of using guide pins to load large fixtures has been around for a long time, and it even applies when incorporating Unilock zero-point clamping systems in your fixturing. The main Unilock clamping knob is very robust, i.e.: very hard, and as such it can cause damage to a Unilock chuck if a fixture is very heavy or large. Guide pins are set up on the base, and their corresponding holes or notches located on the edge of the fixture pre-position the fixture so, that as it is being lowered, the knobs do not impact the critical location faces of the clamping chuck. This also has the added benefit of keeping operators in a safe location not having to use their hands & fingers to fine-adjust a slightly out-of-place fixture being lowered.  1. Guide pins installed on a sub-plate  2. Corresponding guide holes notches on fixture plate
An end mill is a type of milling cutter. It is distinguished from the drill in its application, geometry, and manufacture.
...and here's the segment from "How It's Made" that covers the more general principles of making a HSS end mill. You can see that OSG has a more advanced process for their carbide end mills. |
Technical Support BlogAt Next Generation Tool we often run into many of the same technical questions from different customers. This section should answer many of your most common questions.
We set up this special blog for the most commonly asked questions and machinist data tables for your easy reference. If you've got a question that's not answered here, then just send us a quick note via email or reach one of us on our CONTACTS page here on the website AuthorshipOur technical section is written by several different people. Sometimes, it's from our team here at Next Generation Tooling & at other times it's by one of the innovative manufacturer's we represent in California and Nevada. Archives
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