Abstract
The benefits of hardturning include reduced setup costs; shorter tool change times; improved squareness by virtue of the ability to machine cylinder I.D., O.D. and face in one chucking; low energy consumption and elimination of the need to handle grinding sludge and waste fluid.
Hardturning has typically been used as a replacement for grinding, in the processing of fitting surfaces or clad surfaces, and other such relatively straightforward applications not requiring sliding. In recent years, however, due to advances in servo and other machine technology, and tool material improvements (CBN, ceramics), hardturning has entered the realm of finishing curved and complex shaped surfaces that have sliding and rolling contacts.
This paper will present the machine characteristics developed to meet the ever increasing demand for hardturning process accuracy, and introduce each of the factors which ultimately affected the design of machine components, providing examples where appropriate.