High Speed Machining — Cutting Tools and Machine Requirements

A machine tool designed for high speed machining requires not only a high speed spindle but the capability of operating at rapid feed rates with high accuracy. Commercially available machine tools meeting this specification are reviewed and a list of machines presented, including costs. An alternative approach is to retrofit a high speed spindle to an existing machine using one or more of the spindle designs available. Such designs involve the use of angular contact ball bearings, magnetic bearings or air bearings; these are assessed. Tooling is also important and the paper refers to appropriate tool materials and geometry, aspects of tool interface quality and dynamic balancing. Finally, the traditional ISO taper is compared to the new HSK taper.