b'Productive TimesThat is the start position for one of the slots and an end position for one of the slots, Sawicki explained about each hole. Then they brought in a center-cut-ting endmill toin four passesopen up these slots. I have never seen a part like this before in all my years at Tungaloy.He said Highland Machine Tool produces about 800 of the parts per year. Tool life was six parts per tool.The machine shop purchases a variety of turning tools from Tungaloy America and turned to the tool-maker for a solution after examining options.Tungaloy America initially tested a replaceable tip-style endmill, but the tool generated terrible har-monics, primarily as a result of a long tool overhang, Sawicki said. It has a carbide shank with a threaded endmill on the end of it.In addition, Ron Bender Jr., who performs CNC setup and programming for Highland Machine Tool, said the part had a tendency to spin in the chuck while being cut.Sawickiexplainedthattheworkpieceisheld Tungaloy AmericaHighland Machine Tool reduced the cycle time and number of tools to machine this actuator part by switching to the DoMultiRec milling cutter.between centers.There is a tailstock and a chuck thats holding the workpiece, he said. Its in free space, lying horizontal and rotating while the tool is rotating in order to create this feature.Tungaloy America then tested its DoMultiRec mul-tifunctional milling cutter with a center cutting edge. Sawicki said the team suspected that the overall length of the tool would make it susceptible to chatter. Be-cause the tool body is made of steel, the toolmaker easily shortened the body by 50.8 mm (2").We didnt even try it at its full length, he said.Highland Machine Tool still drills the center hole on a lathe before moving the part to the VMC, but the shop uses the DoMultiRec endmill to produce four holes rather than using a drill and then milling the part.There were two tools, Sawicki said, and they re-placed it with one: the DoMultiRec.We used to have to drill the holes for the old end-mill, Bender said. With this tool, we can do every-thing. It gets rid of any type of tool change.50SEPTEMBER 2022 ProTimes.indd 50 8/17/22 1:35 PM'