Abstract: A tool holder for a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) device includes a tool holder body, a mixing chamber, a gas passageway, and an oil passageway. The tool holder body is configured for rotation about an axis. The tool holder body has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a spindle of the MQL device and a distal end configured to support a cutting tool for rotation about the axis. The mixing chamber is disposed within the tool holder body. The gas passageway is within the tool holder body and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The oil passageway is within the tool holder body and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The oil passageway is separate from the gas passageway and configured to receive a liquid lubricant from an oil conduit of the spindle.

Abstract: A method for shaping a blind slot in a workpiece includes using a standard computer numerical controlled machine center to radially step a single slot broaching tool into a precursor slot in the workpiece for a predetermined distance to form a slot with a blind end. After the slot with the blind end is formed, the method includes rotating at least one of the workpiece and the single slot broaching tool and radially stepping the single slot broaching tool into another precursor slot for another predetermined distance to form another slot with another blind end in the workpiece. The another predetermined distance is the same as the predetermined distance, or in the alternative, the another predetermined distance is different than the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of priming a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) tool includes determining a category of the tool, supplying a short-prime MQL dosage if the tool is a first category or if both a second category and lubricated within a first predetermined timeframe, and supplying a long-prime MQL dosage if the tool is the second category and has not been lubricated within the predetermined timeframe. The category is based on internal passage complexity of the tool.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a body having a base and a cutting portion. The cutting portion defines a plurality of first edges and a plurality of second edges. The body defines a trunk passage, a plurality of first branch passages, and a plurality of first independent passages. Each of the first branch passages is open to the trunk passage and has an outlet open to an exterior of the cutting portion proximate to a corresponding one of the second edges. Each of the first independent passages is independent of the trunk passage and the first branch passages and has an outlet open to an exterior of the cutting portion proximate to a corresponding one of the first edges.

Abstract: A method of measuring quality in a machining operation of a device includes measuring lost motion for at least one axis of the device during the machining operation, calculating a spindle lag of a spindle of the device during the machining operation, determining a lost motion deviation, determining a spindle lag deviation, and identifying a machining defect based on the lost motion deviation coinciding with the spindle lag deviation.

Abstract: A method of measuring quality in a machining operation of a device includes measuring lost motion for at least one axis of the device during the machining operation, calculating a spindle lag of a spindle of the device during the machining operation, determining a lost motion deviation, determining a spindle lag deviation, and identifying a machining defect based on the lost motion deviation coinciding with the spindle lag deviation.

Abstract: A device and method of tapping an engine component to orient a spark plug includes measuring a tap pitch, measuring a first distance between a tap end surface and a full tap tooth center at a first rotational location, calculating a phantom first tap tooth based on the pitch and first distance, determining a tap rotational offset from the first location to a location where the end surface intersects the phantom first tooth, calculating a tap rotational starting orientation that is the first location minus the tap rotational offset minus a spark plug offset, rotating a tool head to the rotational starting orientation, positioning the tap so the end surface is a pitch incremental distance away from the engine component, synchronizing a rotating speed of the tool head and a feed rate to the tap thread pitch, and operating the tool to cut or form threads in the engine component.

Abstract: A tool holder for a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) device includes a tool holder body, a mixing chamber, a gas passageway, and an oil passageway. The tool holder body is configured for rotation about an axis. The tool holder body has a proximal end configured to be coupled to a spindle of the MQL device and a distal end configured to support a cutting tool for rotation about the axis. The mixing chamber is disposed within the tool holder body. The gas passageway is within the tool holder body and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The oil passageway is within the tool holder body and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The oil passageway is separate from the gas passageway and configured to receive a liquid lubricant from an oil conduit of the spindle.

Abstract: A method for shaping a blind slot in a workpiece includes using a standard computer numerical controlled machine center to radially step a single slot broaching tool into a precursor slot in the workpiece for a predetermined distance to form a slot with a blind end. After the slot with the blind end is formed, the method includes rotating at least one of the workpiece and the single slot broaching tool and radially stepping the single slot broaching tool into another precursor slot for another predetermined distance to form another slot with another blind end in the workpiece. The another predetermined distance is the same as the predetermined distance, or in the alternative, the another predetermined distance is different than the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a body having a base and a cutting portion. The cutting portion defines a plurality of first edges and a plurality of second edges. The body defines a trunk passage, a plurality of first branch passages, and a plurality of first independent passages. Each of the first branch passages is open to the trunk passage and has an outlet open to an exterior of the cutting portion proximate to a corresponding one of the second edges. Each of the first independent passages is independent of the trunk passage and the first branch passages and has an outlet open to an exterior of the cutting portion proximate to a corresponding one of the first edges.

Abstract: A method of priming a minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) tool includes determining a category of the tool, supplying a short-prime MQL dosage if the tool is a first category or if both a second category and lubricated within a first predetermined timeframe, and supplying a long-prime MQL dosage if the tool is the second category and has not been lubricated within the predetermined timeframe. The category is based on internal passage complexity of the tool.

Abstract: A device and method of tapping an engine component to orient a spark plug includes measuring a tap pitch, measuring a first distance between a tap end surface and a full tap tooth center at a first rotational location, calculating a phantom first tap tooth based on the pitch and first distance, determining a tap rotational offset from the first location to a location where the end surface intersects the phantom first tooth, calculating a tap rotational starting orientation that is the first location minus the tap rotational offset minus a spark plug offset, rotating a tool head to the rotational starting orientation, positioning the tap so the end surface is a pitch incremental distance away from the engine component, synchronizing a rotating speed of the tool head and a feed rate to the tap thread pitch, and operating the tool to cut or form threads in the engine component.