Reaming

Reaming is a machining operation in which a rotary tool takes a light cut to improve the accuracy of the round hole and reduce the roughness of the hole surface. This article describes its process capabilities and provides information on workpiece material and hardness, as well as the machines used. Reamer materials and design, speed and feed, bushings and fixtures, and cutting fluids used are also discussed. The article outlines the factors to be considered while selecting a reamer. It also discusses the applications of the principle types of reamers, namely, straight-flute chucking, spiral-flute chucking, adjustable, end-cutting, shell, floating-blade, gun, and special-purpose reamers, with examples.