M4 Sciences offers its next-generation TriboMAM drilling system based on modulation-assisted Cutting Carbide Inserts machining (MAM) technology. The system is APKT Insert said to enable drilling as much as five times faster than conventional approaches in diameters ranging from 0.2 to 12.0 mm, as well as to provide improved surface finishes. The unit can be integrated into existing machines and processes, and installs in less than one hour, the company says.
The drilling system features a new micro-controller that is half the size of the previous generation, as well as process-level feedback capabilities such as real-time diagnostics and process stability monitoring. The micro-controller monitors the drilling process to increase reliability of CNC machines in applications for the medical, automotive, hydraulic and energy manufacturing sectors.
Thread milling is becoming more popular for a few reasons, says Jamie Rosenberger,? threading tool product manager for Allied Machine and Engineering, manufacturer of holemaking and finishing tools. For one, she says, most new CNC machine tools now offer helical interpolation as a standard feature. (This simultaneous XYZ motion of a spinning thread mill into a part’s hole is required to enable the tool, which has a body diameter that is only a fraction of the hole diameter, to cut the threads.) Therefore, new machinists and programmers who have “cut their teeth” on this type of newer machine tool technology seemingly are more open to considering thread milling as a viable alternative to traditional tapping operations.
In addition, Ms. Rosenberger says thread milling is particularly well-suited WCMT Insert for challenging, expensive materials, such as tool steel, stainless steel and high-temperature alloys. In fact, Allied Machine and Engineering’s new AccuThread T3 line of thread mills was designed specifically for these applications.
She explains that during tapping operations, the tap is completely engaged with the workpiece, which results in a good bit of heat generation because the tap’s cutting edges do not get a chance to cool down and coolant has a tough time reaching them. This is particularly problematic when tapping high-temperature alloys, commonly used for aerospace and oil/gas applications, because those materials resist heat rather than absorb it. As a result, all the heat generated during tapping is directed into the tap. This, combined with the high tool pressure resulting from multiple teeth being engaged with the material, can cause the tap to wear prematurely or even break off in the hole. The latter scenario might require time-consuming rework or cause the workpiece to be scrapped, which can be costly given that threading is typically one of the final machining operations performed on a part. These considerations are what make thread milling more attractive to some shops, especially those threading expensive workpiece materials, even though thread mills are more expensive than taps.
That said, it also can be challenging to machine threads in high-temperature and hardened materials using conventional thread-milling tools that machine a complete thread in one 360-degree helical movement (for example, a thread mill that has a sufficient number of cutting edges to mill the entire thread profile into a 0.75-inch-deep hole in one helical rotation). The high cutting pressure generated because all cutting edges are simultaneously engaged with the material can cause tool deflection and poor thread finish.
Conversely, Allied Machine and Engineering’s AccuThread T3 solid carbide thread mill with proprietary, multi-layer AM210 PVD coating cuts essentially one thread at a time in a continuous helical motion into a hole, which minimizes tool pressure and the risk of deflection. Although these tools have three teeth, the first performs the bulk of the thread-cutting action and the other two essentially clean the threads it creates. Therefore, there is little cutting pressure on the tool, so deflection typically is not problematic. In addition, during thread milling, the cutting edges have a chance to cool, because they are not constantly in the cut and it is easier for flood coolant to reach them.
What is also advantageous about the AccuThread T3 is that the tool is spun counterclockwise to enable it to perform climb milling as it is moved helically in a clockwise motion down into a hole when creating a right-handed thread. With climb milling, a tool’s cutting edge creates a “thick-to-thin” chip. That is, it forms the thickest part of the chip when it engages with the material and creates the thinner portion of the chip when it exits the cut. This generates less deflection than conventional milling (in which the tool effectively rubs on the material as it engages to create a “thin-to-thick” chip) and results in more effective chip evacuation to minimize chip re-cutting.
Given the benefits that thread milling offers, Ms. Rosenberger says Allied Machine and Engineering still gets questions about how best to leverage this technology. Here, she provides a few tips for shops that are considering thread milling:
• As opposed to tapping, thread milling can provide better hole quality while minimizing the risk of scrapping parts, which is especially important when parts are large and expensive. However, it is not the best threading solution for all applications. Tapping is still typically preferred when producing threads that have length-to-diameter ratios of more than 3:1.
• Think of thread milling like most other machining practices. The more stock to be removed or the more challenging the material, the more passes that may be required. For example, coarse thread pitches might require multiple passes.
• Climb milling is always preferred to conventional milling due to reduced tool deflection and less generated heat.
• Always use cutter compensation when thread milling. This enables you to control the precise diameter of the thread without risking scrapping the part due to creating a thread diameter that is too large.
• Always use rigid toolholders. During cutting, thread mills experience radial side pressure and should be securely clamped in toolholders such as power milling chucks, hydraulic chucks, shrink-fit holders or end-mill holders. ER collets should not be used for thread milling.
• Don’t spend time writing your own thread-milling routines. Many software packages are available from thread-mill manufacturers, such as Allied Machine and Engineering’s InstaCode, to save you time by providing the code TNMG Insert to you.
How to judge the high hardness and good wear resistance of cemented carbide strips!
Cemented carbide strip is also called cemented carbide square strip, tungsten steel strip and so on, because its shape is cuboid. How to judge the high Cermet Inserts hardness and good wear resistance of cemented carbide strips! Because the carbide strip is suitable for carbide woodworking tools, tungsten steel Inserts, etc. Therefore, long cemented carbide strips have high hardness and good wear resistance, so they are often used to make high wear resistant parts of precision machinery and instruments. Tungsten steel strip has high hardness, good bending resistance, acid and alkali resistance and no rust, so it is favored by people in the industry.
So what if we choose the cemented carbide strip with good performance?
1. Check the shape and size when purchasing. The tungsten APMT Insert steel strip with accurate shape and size can reduce a lot of deep processing time, thus improving your production efficiency and reducing your processing cost.
2. Check whether there are edge collapse, corner missing, round corner, rubber, blistering, deformation, warping, overburning and other undesirable phenomena at the edge.
3. Check the flatness, symmetry and other geometric tolerances of the plane.
4. When purchasing cemented carbide square bars, it is very important to know their alloy * grades, that is, the physical property parameters of cemented carbide square bars!
Big Kaiser has expanded its HDC jet-through hydraulic chuck line to include the BCV interface and additional inch Carbide Drilling Inserts sizes. HDC toolholders are designed for high-precision five-axis machining. With maximum speeds of 35,000 rpm and clamping range of ¼" to ½", they are suitable for many applications in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and die and mold industries.
A thread feature allows for convertible coolant delivery between jet-through coolant and center-through coolant. According to the company, Jet-through hydraulic chucks are ideal toolholders for finishing applications, which benefit from improved coolant delivery. The coolant flows through the end of the toolholder and angles toward the cutting tool tip to improve surface finish and tool life.
HDC toolholders require only one hex key wrench to clamp or loosen the cutting tool, easing tool changes and eliminating any need for special equipment. The toolholder APMT Insert provides 0.00012" total indicator runout (TIR) at 5×D.
The Millac 852V II vertical machining center from Okuma is well-suited for machining large, heavy workpieces. The machine’s base column High Feed Milling Insert construction features optimally-placed ribs to counter chatter and twisting during heavy-duty VBMT Insert cutting. Traditional box ways are used for all axes to provide high accuracy and rigidity. With its variable-speed gearhead and large-diameter spindle bearings, the VMC is capable of heavy-duty and high-speed machining with high torque at low to high speeds.
The VMC’s X-, Y- and Z-axis travels measure 3,050 × 850 × 750 mm, and rapid traverse rates are 16 m/min. The spindle offers two speed ranges and turns as fast as 6,000 rpm. The machining center is equipped with an OSP-P300M control, a Tsudakoma fourth-axis table RTV-404 and a 36-station random automatic toolchanger. Additional features include automatic gaging and tool breakage detection as well as a collision avoidance system.
