TABLE OF CONTENTS Sources of Cutters, Cutter Checking, and Cutter Life.
One really can't separate cutters from milling, but I have created a separate group for cutters because there are many specific cutter items to discuss. Chapter 13: Sources of Cutters presumes you have a cutter design or functional need in mind. It talks about the decision to make or buy the cutter. Chapter 14: Cutter Checking covers checking cutter dimensions on and off the machine and discusses some of the ways of detecting worn or damaged cutters. Chapter 15: Cutter Life attempts to discuss the effects of cutter material, coatings, feeds and speeds on cutter life relative to milling titanium alloys.
Every machine shop has to decide whether to make cutters or buy them. (There is a similar decision to re-grind cutters in-house or to buy this service.) Another consideration is cutter coatings what coatings to use, when to use coatings, and whether one re-coats after re-sharpening. Then there is the matter of tool holders (cutter holders.) What kind of tool holders are best for me? Another question is, "Do I need to balance the tool holder/cutter assembly?"
The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the many pros and cons that enter into these make vs. buy decisions. In this chapter, you will find discussions on make vs. buy of standard cutters, cutter re-sharpening, specialized cutters, cutter coatings, tool holders, and balancing.
