What Is It? A hard turning lathe. Configuration? It’s a modular machine that features one spindle, one turret, and a four-axis swing arm robot for part handling.

Key Specs? The spindle has a 20-hp motor. The turret has eight positions. A Fanuc control is deployed.

Considerations? Hard turning can work as an alternative to grinding. The machine is built as a module, so the potential for lines to be created out of several is there (especially given the deployment of robotic automation).

What’s It Called? The EWB-AL aluminum tooling system from BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling (Elk Grove Village, IL; www.bigkaiser.com).

What Is It? Ultra lightweight automatically balanced precision boring heads for diameters ranging from 3.937 to 8.000 in.)

Key Specs? The tooling system uses two different heads to cover the entire diameter range. It is designed for cutting speeds up to 6,600 sfpm. There’s micrometric adjustment via dials that are graduated in 0.0005-in. increments as well as a Vernier scale that permits setting to 0.0001-in./diameter.

Considerations? Several. Because these heads are made of a hard-coated high-tensile aluminum, their weight is one-third that of steel, then when you add other tooling elements (e.g., extenders) that are also aluminum, the total tooling weight can be half of that of ordinary tools, which is an aid during automatic toolchange procedures. (The hard coating, incidentally, helps extend tool life.) The balance that is provided by the adjustment is particularly important for boring at high speeds with polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cubic boron nitride (CBN) tools, especially as this facilitates improved surface finish.