Recent Blog Posts
Achieving perfect concentricity with the SRT Reamer
Improving Machining With 3D Printed Tools
The benefits of re-tipping and re-cutting PCD tooling – Updated
All Star SU Blog Posts
Achieving perfect concentricity with the SRT Reamer
The SRT, or Super Round Tool, is a patented reamer designed by the Northern Tool division of Star Cutter Company to create the best quality reamed hole across a spectrum of applications. The SRT combines two tools into one – it offers multiple straight flutes for consistent location and multiple helical flutes that ensure roundness […]
Read Full PostImproving Machining With 3D Printed Tools
The machining of powertrain components and aluminum prismatic parts, such as stator housings for the growing electric vehicle market, often require large and heavy tools. When used on traditional machining equipment, the weight of these tools can cause excessive spindle vibration and chatter, poor tool life and, potentially, scrapped components. Lightweight Solution: Additive manufactured tools […]
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The benefits of re-tipping and re-cutting PCD tooling – Updated
Fixed Pocket PCD milling and interpolating tools are designed and built as a complete one piece product, combining a steel body and a holding interface. Additionally, PCD segments are brazed into the tool body. The PCD segments then go through the manufacturing process to meet the requirements of the finish tool geometries. This type of product is known in […]
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How using Near Net Shape Carbide Blanks can save you time!
One goal of the H.B. Advantage is to save our customers time when machining our blanks. By providing near net shape blanks, we can reduce the overall grinding time required to finish the blanks. We do this by adding features such as diameters, flutes, pockets, flats, coolant holes, etc. All machining is done in the […]
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Improving the Upper Machining Process with the SRT Reamer
Star SU is currently involved in process improvement for machining the Upper Rail system for AR-15’s, AR-10’s and M-4 carbines with several independently owned contractors. Process improvement includes: Concentricity improvement (TIR) critical to non-critical bore Cycle Time Reduction Surface finishes of Ra ≤ 0.8 Typical current process: Rough Drill Ream non-critical bore End mill critical […]
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Rifle Barrel Manufacturing with the Star SU High Performance Gundrill
Star Cutter Company manufactures rifle barrel making products including gundrills, push and pull reamers, and rifle buttons to geometrical quality with exceptional finishes. We custom design and build these tools using our guidelines to achieve customer part requirements. We assign a unique tool number to every tool we produce with revision control, ensuring our customers […]
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Improving the Process of Machining the Firing Pin Hole with the Solid Carbide Twist Drill
With the industries increased volumes, there is a need to reduce cycle times in machining the firing pin hole in gun bolts. This is what the Star SU process is looking to improve upon compared to the traditional process. The traditional process is outlined below: Pilot Tool Single Flute Gundrill Solid Carbide Internal Chamfer Gundrill […]
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The NXT generation of tool grinding has arrived
Elk Rapids Engineering a division of the Star Cutter Company and manufacturer of the Star brand of CNC tool and cutter grinders has been hard at work designing, testing, and refining their next generation (5) axis machine. Similar to Colonel Steve Austin in the science fiction movie Six Million Dollar Man, Engineers at Elk Rapids […]
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Gear Solutions – April Issue: Star SU Company Profile
In today’s competitive gear manufacturing market, to be considered local — whether that’s North America, Europe, or China — is a good way to get left behind. That’s why Star SU LLC has gone to great lengths over the years to expand its presence on a global scale, offering its machines, cutting tools, and services […]
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In depth: The Barrel Reaming Process
Rifle barrels are made a number of ways, but the most common method starts with a gundrill, followed by reaming, and finally rifling with a button. Other popular methods would include hammer forge, honing, or cut rifling. No matter the method, drilling a deep hole is necessary. Star SU reamers, drills, and buttons focus on […]
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In-depth: NTG-6RL Robot Loading System
The NTG – 6RL CNC tool and cutter grinder uses a Fanuc 200iD robotic loader with a custom gripper system designed by Star. The robot can change part blanks ranging from 3-32mm in diameter in various workplace lengths, all with the same set of gripper fingers. There is no requirement to change inserts, no re-alignment […]
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