the CAD/CAM system is another equally important component. Today's CAD/CAM systems have greatly advanced over the years,

Continuing within the circle, tool-holders play an important role in hard milling. Because hard milling requires a large range of rpms-from low rpms for a roughing application to high rpm for HSM-only the HSK interface between the toolholder and spindle interface should be used.

What was once considered a black magic has become a more calculable science. Still, many variables affect the clamping force of a magnet. Some of these variables include: material composition, surface finish, contact area, vibration and cutting forces.

The graphite industry is constantly striving to produce higher quality grades. Graphite materials have continued to evolve along with the other aspects of the EDM industry,

two new types of milling magnets entered the market - magnetic setup blocks and permanent milling magnets.

Hard milling uses a combination of several key technologies that can be categorized into components. These components are defined as the machine tool, the CAD/CAM system,

High-speed machining centers have made it possible to machine intricate detail into almost any grade of graphite, a task that would have been impossible using manual or CNC machining equipment.

EDMing thin ribs is a difficult application. High-speed machining of the elec-trodes has made it possible to fabricate these electrodes from grades that are not capable of maintaining the detail in the cavity.