b'Shank CKB/CKNCompatibleIn the right environment, modular boring bars can be effective.By Alan RichterP lenty of holes require finishing in a vast array of parts, including transmission and pump housings, engine cylinders, gear cases, frack-ing blocks and crank and cam bores. When boring is appropriate and manufacturers face a high-mix, low-volume parts environment, modular boring bars can prove effective.Its a selection of parts that allows you to get to Double Connector where you need to go without the expense of a cus-Couplings tom tool, said Eric Amberger, C6 product manager for Techniks Inc., about modular boring bars.The Indianapolis-based company offers modular boring tools from its Parlec brand in Fairport, New York.Specials are not only usually expensive but can re-quire long lead times.Lead times for custom tools can be a real bottle-Extension Tubes neck, said Matt Tegelman, senior product special-Aluminum ist for Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based BIG Daishowa Inc., which markets modular boring bars under the companys BIG KAISER brand.The modular line includes shanks for all standard machine spindle tapers in multiple lengths for each connection size, plus modular extensions and reduc-tions to achieve tool lengths to match assembly re-quirements while maintaining rigidity, he added.Of course, manufacturers can keep backups in their tool inventories, but that is not necessarily a given, according to Tegelman.They just want quantities that are running on the machine, he said, but if something unforeseen happened, then theyre kind of under the gun or in The BIG KAISER CKN connection is the strongest tool connection for lightweight tools. The double connector coupling enables the use of aluminum extension tubes, which results in a considerable weight reduction for larger tools.BIG Daishowa22JANUARY 2023HoleFinishing.indd 22 12/15/22 1:35 PM'