Why is software almost always left out of the equation when someone is considering high-speed machining?
In recent years, the advances in machine tools, tool holders and cutting tools have changed the machining process and opened new ideas as to the role of this equipment in the mold building process. In the beginning, most people, myself included, felt that if we could increase our speeds and feeds and stepdowns and stepovers we could be more productive. This was the first stage of this new technology. The next step was to achieve better surface finish and reduce handwork. The latest is to machine hardened material that was traditionally done by EDM. In all of these developments the one component to this new cutting method that has been overlooked is the CAM package. When a company considers the purchase of a new machine it is usually part of their growth and the newest technology is a consideration. The tool holders and cutting tools also are part of this investigation into this new cutting method. Unfortunately, most of the information used to purchase this equipment is based on the ma
