Tools For High Production Milling

Featuring four helical cutting edges that measure 0.315" in length, the MiniTang inserts from Iscar Metals, Inc. apply the tangentially-clamped design of the larger TangMill inserts. Because of the small size of the T490 LNMX 0804 PN-R inserts and the tangential orientation in the pocket, these tools are said to have a larger core diameter design than radially-oriented inserts.

?

The T490 E90LN end mills can be used for machining 90-degree shoulders at high feed Cutting Inserts rates, with virtually no mismatch. The helical Lathe Inserts cutting edge and positive rake angle enable soft, clean cuts, according to the company. In addition, the MiniTang line can be used on side plunging applications.

?

The end mills are offered in various sizes, with tool diameters ranging from 0.625" to 1.50", each of which is available with coarse or fine pitch configurations.

?

?

The Tungsten Carbide Blog: https://anguselva.exblog.jp/

Kyocera SGS Expands Micro Tool Offerings

Kyocera SGS Precision Tools (KSPT) is expanding its SGS-branded micro tool offerings by more than 4,000 tools. As part of the expansion, the company has added more than 2,500 SGS micro-end mills to its portfolio with different lengths of cut, reach variations, end configurations CCGT Insert and coatings. It says this versatile portfolio should satisfy a variety of machining applications that require Carbide Milling Inserts small-diameter milling.

KSPT also added a new lineup of more than 1,400 SGS micro drills. The company says its variety of internal and external coolant options and various lengths of cut allow this comprehensive offering to meet the demands of a variety of micro-hole-making applications.

The Tungsten Carbide Blog: https://kevintrist.exblog.jp/

Measuring Tool Length For Micron Accuracy

When the smoothness of a mold surface or the dimensions on a partfeature are toleranced to the micron level, measuring the length Cemented Carbide Inserts of thecutting tool in the spindle to the same level of precision becomescritical. Makino(Mason, Ohio) has introduced a method for accomplishing this task. Themethod takes into account not only the position of the tool tip butalso the effects of thermal displacement in the spindle. This requiresmeasuring the cutting tool in the spindle at a static (non-rotating)state and then measuring the spindle end while rotating with thecutting tool in place at the speed programmed for machining. Becauserotating the spindle inevitably causes some slight thermal growth ordeformation, this method can measure that change and, if necessary,factor it into the calculations for tool length compensation values.

Becausethis method involves contact and non-contact sensing devices, it iscalled a hybrid automatic tool-length measuring system. Carbide Inserts According todevelopers, applying this system allows cutting tools to be changed andstill hold variations in dimensional and surface roughness to 1 micronor less from tool to tool. This is possible because the system canadjust for thermal displacement of the spindle rotating at differentspeeds along with the slight inaccuracies in tool tip positionresulting from automatic tool changes. Thus, the results ofsemifinishing and finishing operations that call for cutting tools ofvarious length are not affected by the tool changes.

This system is available as an option only on the company’s Hyper2J, V22 and V33 vertical machining centers. After the machine’sautomatic tool changer has changed a tool, initiating a macro routinemakes the spindle move to the measurement unit mounted on the machine’stable, where a retracting cover exposes a contact sensor. Thenon-rotating spindle touches the tip of the cutting tool on the pad ofthe sensor and determines the tool length from the spindle end. Verylittle force is required to trigger the measurement. Therefore,extremely delicate tools, which may be under a millimeter in diameter,are protected.

The spindle moves away and begins torotate at the rpm set for that cutting tool. It then moves to anon-contact sensor located adjacent to the contact sensor in the sameenclosure. Because the spindle is rotating at speed, the effects ofthermal displacement become apparent and can be detected by thenon-contact sensor. The macro directs the spindle to make multiplepasses at the sensor in 30-second intervals until three consecutivereadings do not deviate from each other above a set limit. This ensuresthat the spindle has reached a stable condition before deriving thelength of the spindle end.

By comparing the positions ofthe tool tip and the spindle end, the system can determine if the toollength value should be adjusted to compensate for apparent spindlegrowth. For example, if the difference between the non-rotating androtating tool length is greater than 1 micron or whatever limit theuser sets, then an adjusted tool length value will be used in tool compcalculations.

The hybrid system is designed for users whomust maintain very accurate blending of surfaces from tool to tool inmicromachining applications. In mold work, achieving these smoothsurfaces greatly reduces or eliminates polishing.

The Tungsten Carbide Blog: http://thomaschap.blogtez.com/

Mastercam Adds Support for Kyocera SGS Precision Tools

CNC Software has partnered with Kyocera SGS Precision Tools to provide tool libraries for Mastercam CAD/CAM Tungsten Steel Inserts software. Mastercam users can now download 10 specialty tool libraries of SGS tools in a native Mastercam format, providing fast, seamless access to SGS’s round, solid, carbide cutting WNMG Insert tools. 

With this collaboration, Mastercam users can download both inch and metric SGS round solid carbide cutting tool libraries from the Mastercam Tech Exchange. The native Mastercam 3D tool databases are fully compatible with Mastercam 2020 and subsequent releases. These offer the latest SGS product introductions, including the company’s Z-Carb HPR roughing line and H-Carb end mills for dynamic milling. The native libraries include more than 12,000 tools, including ferrous and non-ferrous cutting tools like end mills, routers, micro-tools, drills, reamers and countersinks. The partnership will also provide Mastercam users with tool data, which they can use when programming new jobs. 

The Tungsten Carbide Blog: https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/carbideinserts/

The CNC as Nerve Center

Economical manufacturing demands an efficiently working process chain. It must seamlessly connect the design, programming, simulation, production planning and production stages. The machine tool control unit plays a pivotal role, as it is located at a central position within the process chain. In a very real sense, it is positioned to be the nerve center for data-driven manufacturing.

In the move to data-driven manufacturing, communication and data transfer have to be possible in all directions. After all, the goal of all these measures and investments is to increase efficiency in the workshop. The essence of data-driven manufacturing is achieving better decision-making by basing it on reliable, factual information.

The machine control is the last data processing link before the machine transforms digital bits and bytes into mechanical motion, makes chips, and ultimately produces the desired workpiece. It is truly the hub in the emerging digital manufacturing environment.

During production at the machine, a wide variety of additional data and information is generated that is needed elsewhere along the process chain. This includes information on changes made to the part program on the control as well as data for quality assurance. All these details need to be continuously updated and made available to all who are involved in the manufacturing process.

To transfer this digital knowledge quickly and reliably, the universal availability of electronic production documents is indispensable. This information includes technical drawings, CAD data, NC programs, cutting tool data, work instructions, tooling lists, inventory data and so on. Digital product data such as photos or test reports that are generated during the manufacturing process also have to be passed on.

What sort of features and capabilities ought a CNC have to meet these requirements? At least one control builder, Heidenhain, has made these requirements for supporting data-driven manufacturing a top concern in the design and configuration of its TNC 640 control. It incorporates some of the representative features that make a CNC well-placed to serve as the nerve center for data-driven manufacturing.

For example, to integrate this control into the Deep Hole Drilling Inserts process chain and access the desired data on the control’s user interface, two different solutions are available. One solution comprises the standard features of the control, which provide access to manufacturing process data right at the control through a CAD viewer, a PDF viewer and the Mozilla Firefox Web browser. Viewing with the browser requires no separate program installation. The operation of Web-based documentation software or ERP systems is as feasible here as access to an email inbox. For example, if essential data such as a DXF file is missing, the customer can directly email the DXF file to the operator.

A more advanced option for integrating this control into the process chain is a remote desktop manager. One button on the control keyboard switches between the control screen and the screen of a computer Indexable Inserts in the local network or of an industrial PC mounted in the machine’s electrical cabinet. From the control, machine operators can access all the usual applications for managing, documenting and visualizing. CPU-intensive CAD/CAM tasks do not affect CNC machining or machine performance.

A common cause of production delays is incomplete dimension data in drawings. In this case, the machine operator can simply load the CAD model on the control. The required data and information can thus be quickly provided to the machine, even if the design engineers are currently not available.

In another example, say a component for a time-critical job has been programmed in the shop’s CAM system. However, the machine operator receives a notice from the cutting tool supplier or checks the latest online tooling database to find that the tool to be used actually permits a higher feed rate. To improve efficiency, the operator can open the CAM application at the control, enter the updated feed rate and generate a new NC program. In the CAM system, the new feed rate values are stored centrally and are visible to everyone involved in the process.

When evaluating a new machine, every shop must consider not only the fitness of the control for maximizing the capabilities of the machine, but also the fitness of the control as a data hub—truly a nerve center—for data-driven manufacturing.

The Tungsten Carbide Blog: https://brucecathy.exblog.jp/