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'[[Image:Knurling closeup.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Close-up shot of a diamond-pattern knurling on a cylindrical work piece. Knurling method: left/right with tips raised, spiral angle: 30°, pitch: 1 mm, profile angle: 90°.]] [[Image:KnurlingExamples.jpg|thumb|Two examples of the use of knurling in hand tools.]] [[Image:KnurlingTool.jpg|thumb|A Diamond knurling tool with two of the interchangeable rollers shown above it]] '''Knurling''' is a manufacturing process, typically conducted on a [[Lathe (metal)|lathe]], whereby a visually-attractive diamond-shaped (criss-cross) pattern is cut or rolled into metal. This pattern allows hands or fingers to get a better grip on the knurled object than would be provided by the originally-smooth metal surface. Occasionally, the knurled pattern is a series of straight ridges or a [[helix]] of "straight" ridges rather than the more-usual criss-cross pattern. Knurling may also be used as a repair method: because a rolled-in knurled surface has raised-up areas surrounding the depressed areas, these raised areas can make up for wear on the part. In the days when labor was cheap and parts expensive, this repair method was feasible on [[piston]]s of [[internal combustion engines]], where the skirt of a worn piston was expanded back to the nominal size using a knurling process. As auto parts have become less expensive, knurling has become less prevalent than it once was, and is specifically recommended against by performance engine builders.<ref name="Monroe">Monroe, Tom. "Engine Rebuilder's Handbook". HPBooks, New York, 1996. Page 48.</ref> Knurling can also be used when a high precision component will be assembled into a low precision component, for example a metal pin into a plastic molding. The outer surface of the metal pin is knurled so that the raised detail 'bites' into the plastic irrespective of whether the size of the hole in the plastic closely matches the diameter of the pin. On the lathe, ''knurl cutting'' is usually accomplished using the same automatic-feed mechanisms that are used to cut [[screw]] threads; knurling can be thought of as simply a series of threads cut at extremely coarse pitch and in both the left-hand and right-hand directions. More common than knurl cutting, ''knurl rolling'' is usually accomplished using one or more very hard rollers that contain the reverse of the pattern to be imposed. It is possible for a "straight" knurl (not criss-crossed) to be pressed with a single roller, however the material needs to be supported adequately to avoid deformation. A criss-cross pattern can be accomplished using any of: * A single roller that contains the reverse of the complete desired pattern. These are available to form either "male" or "female" patterns, * A left-handed straight roller followed by a right-handed straight roller (or vice-versa), or * One or more left-handed rollers used simultaneously with one or more right-handed rollers. Rolled knurls are somewhat more complicated to design than cut knurls because the outer diameter of the work piece must be chosen to allow the roller to roll an [[integer|integral]] number of patterns around the workpiece. By comparison, for cut knurls, the spacing of the cuts is not preset and can be adjusted to allow an integral number of patterns around the workpiece no matter what the diameter of the workpiece. Hand knurling tools are available. These resemble [[pipecutter]]s but contain knurling wheels rather than cutting wheels. Usually, three wheels are carried by the tool: two left-handed wheels and one right-handed wheel or vice-versa. [[Tool]] handles, [[mechanical pencil]]s, [[barbell]] bars, and control knobs on electronic equipment are frequently knurled. Knurling is also used on the grips for darts<ref>"How its made - Darts" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCrm8WbJKqg. </ref> and the pegs for most [[BMX]] bicycles. Aside from adding functionality to an object (valve repairs and hand grips being some of the most common), knurling also adds an attractive pattern to the material that can also be created for ornamental design. == Types of Knurling == Annular Rings - Frequently used when the mating part is plastic. Rings allow for easy mating but ridges make it difficult to pull the components apart. Linear Knurl - Utilized with mating plastic pieces, the Linear Knurl allows greater torsion between components. Diamond Knurl - A hybrid of Annular Rings and Linear Knurling in which a diamond shape is formed. It is used to provide better grip on components. Combination - Using a combination of more than one type of knurling processes in a part.<ref>Erisco Industries, Inc., http://www.erisco-wire.com/knurling.php</ref> == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Metal forming]] [[de:Rändeln]] [[es:Moleteado]] [[fr:Moletage]] [[it:Godronatura]] [[no:Serratering]] [[pl:Radełkowanie]] [[sv:Lättring]]'