Graham T. Smith

Maximizing reader insights into the key scientific disciplines of Machine Tool Metrology, this text will prove useful for the industrial-practitioner and those interested in the operation of machine tools. Within this current level of industrial-content, this book incorporates significant usage of the existing published literature and valid information obtained from a wide-spectrum of manufacturers of plant, equipment and instrumentation before putting forward novel ideas and methodologies.Providing easy to understand bullet points and lucid descriptions of metrological and calibration subjects, this book aids reader understanding of the topics discussed whilst adding a voluminous-amount of footnotes utilised throughout all of the chapters, which adds some additional detail to the subject. Featuring an extensive amount of photographic-support, this book will serve as a key reference text for all those involved in the field.

Maximizing reader insights into the key scientific disciplines of Machine Tool Metrology, this text will prove useful for the industrial-practitioner and those interested in the operation of machine tools. Within this current level of industrial-content, this book incorporates significant usage of the existing published literature and valid information obtained from a wide-spectrum of manufacturers of plant, equipment and instrumentation before putting forward novel ideas and methodologies.Providing easy to understand bullet points and lucid descriptions of metrological and calibration subjects, this book aids reader understanding of the topics discussed whilst adding a voluminous-amount of footnotes utilised throughout all of the chapters, which adds some additional detail to the subject. Featuring an extensive amount of photographic-support, this book will serve as a key reference text for all those involved in the field.

It is a well acknowledged fact that virtually all of our modern-day components and assemblies rely to some extent on machining operations in their manufacturing process. Thus, there is clearly a substantive machining requirement which will continue to be of prime importance for the foreseeable future. Cutting Tool Technology provides a comprehensive guide to the latest developments in the use of cutting tool technology. The book covers new machining and tooling topics such as high-speed and hard-part machining, near-dry and dry-machining strategies, multi-functional tooling, ‘diamond-like’ and ‘atomically-modified’ coatings, plus many others. Also covered are subjects important from a research perspective, such as micro-machining and artificial intelligence coupled to neural network tool condition monitoring. A practical handbook complete with troubleshooting tables for common problems, Cutting Tool Technology is an invaluable reference for researchers, manufacturers and users of cutting tools.

The subject of this book is surface metrology, in particular two major aspects: surface texture and roundness. It has taken a long time for manufacturing engineers and designers to realise the usefulness of these features in quality of conformance and quality of design. Unfortunately this awareness has come at a time when engineers versed in the use and specification of surfaces are at a premium. Traditionally surface metrology usage has been dictated by engineers who have served long and demanding apprenticeships, usually in parallel with studies leading to technician-level qualifications. Such people understood the processes and the achievable accuracies of machine tools, thereby enabling them to match production capability with design requirements. This synergy, has been made possible by the understanding of adherence to careful metrological procedures and a detailed knowledge of surface measuring instruments and their operation, in addition to wider inspection room techniques. With the demise in the UK of polytechnics and technical colleges, this source of skilled technicians has all but dried up. The shortfall has been made up of semi­ skilled craftsmen, or inexperienced graduates who cannot be expected to satisfy tradition al or new technology needs. Miniaturisation, for example, has had a pro­ found effect. Engineering parts are now routinely being made with nanometre surface texture and fiatness. At these molecular and atomic scales, the engineer has to be a physicist.

It is a well acknowledged fact that virtually all of our modern-day components and assemblies rely to some extent on machining operations in their manufacturing process. Thus, there is clearly a substantive machining requirement which will continue to be of prime importance for the foreseeable future. Cutting Tool Technology provides a comprehensive guide to the latest developments in the use of cutting tool technology. The book covers new machining and tooling topics such as high-speed and hard-part machining, near-dry and dry-machining strategies, multi-functional tooling, ‘diamond-like’ and ‘atomically-modified’ coatings, plus many others. Also covered are subjects important from a research perspective, such as micro-machining and artificial intelligence coupled to neural network tool condition monitoring. A practical handbook complete with troubleshooting tables for common problems, Cutting Tool Technology is an invaluable reference for researchers, manufacturers and users of cutting tools.

The subject of this book is surface metrology, in particular two major aspects: surface texture and roundness. It has taken a long time for manufacturing engineers and designers to realise the usefulness of these features in quality of conformance and quality of design. Unfortunately this awareness has come at a time when engineers versed in the use and specification of surfaces are at a premium. Traditionally surface metrology usage has been dictated by engineers who have served long and demanding apprenticeships, usually in parallel with studies leading to technician-level qualifications. Such people understood the processes and the achievable accuracies of machine tools, thereby enabling them to match production capability with design requirements. This synergy, has been made possible by the understanding of adherence to careful metrological procedures and a detailed knowledge of surface measuring instruments and their operation, in addition to wider inspection room techniques. With the demise in the UK of polytechnics and technical colleges, this source of skilled technicians has all but dried up. The shortfall has been made up of semi­ skilled craftsmen, or inexperienced graduates who cannot be expected to satisfy tradition al or new technology needs. Miniaturisation, for example, has had a pro­ found effect. Engineering parts are now routinely being made with nanometre surface texture and fiatness. At these molecular and atomic scales, the engineer has to be a physicist.

This is the second volume of three designed to give an insight into the current state of CNC technology with a focus on practical applications. Following a brief historical introduction to cutting tool development, chapters 1 and 2 explain why CNC requires a change in cutting tool technology from conventional methods. A presentation is given of the working knowledge of cutting tools and cutt ing fluids which is needed to make optimal use of the productive capacity of CNC machines. Since an important consideration for any machine tool is how one can locate and restrain the workpiece in the correct orientation and with the minimum of set-u p time, chapter 3 is concerned with workholding technology. The author draws on his extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher. The text is thoroughly practical in character and generously illustrated with diagrams and photographs.

The first part of Volume I outlines the origins and development of CNC machine tools. It explains the construction of the equipment and also discusses the various elements necessary to ensure high quality of production. The second part considers how a company justifies the purchase of either cells or systems and illustrates why simulation exercises are essential prior to a full implementation. Communication protocols as well as networking topologies are examined. Finally, the important high-speed machining developments and the drive towards ultra-high precision are mentioned. Following a brief historical introduction to cutting tool development, chapters 1 and 2 of Volume II explain why CNC requires a change in cutting tool technology from conventional methods. A presentation is given of the working knowledge of cutting tools and cutting fluids which is needed to make optimal use of the productive capacity of CNC machines. Since an important consideration for any machine tool is how one can locate and restrain the workpiece in the correct orientation and with the minimum of set-up time, chapter 3 is concerned with workholding technology. Volume III deals with CNC programming. It has been written in conjunction with a major European supplier of controllers in order to give the reader a more consistent and in-depth understanding of the logic used to program such machines. It explains how why and where to program specific features of a part and how to build them up into complete programs. Thus, the reader will learn about the main aspects of the logical structure and compilation of a program. Finally, there is a brief review of so me of the typical controllers currently available from both universal and proprietary builders.