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Article: The coolest machining around: cryogenic machining, using liquid nitrogen at -320[degrees]F is a cutting-edge technology in more ways than one.(MACHINING)
- Article from:
- Modern Applications News
- Article date:
- August 1, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Nelson Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Cryogenic machining started as a laboratory curiosity and has found application on the shop floor. It offers a number of advantages and has moved from the exotic to merely the out-of-the-ordinary.
Using -320[degrees]F liquid nitrogen as a coolant--instead of water, oil, synthetic coolant, or dry machining--was seen in academic and research circles as an extreme way of lowering cutting zone heat, especially when working with hard-to-turn materials. The challenge was to bring the technology out of the lab and onto the shop floor.
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Tom Sheehy, team leader and applications engineering at Hardinge Inc., Elmira, NY, is a member ...