Mike Page, Editor, writes:
We see from your search that you're looking for information on the term "Tool Wear",
and we have a large number of manufacturers' news releases and technical articles here on Manufacturingtalk which will be of interest.
Let me be your guide.
Start with
the news release Lasers reduce tube fabrication costs from
BLM-Group UK, which we summarised at the time by saying "Sheet metal tube fabricators can reduce operational costs up to 70% by using tube laser cutting technology, which reduces labour, simplifies processing and improves quality".
A couple of weeks before,
we featured the news release Vertical machining centre adds 4-axis capability from
Ward CNC Machinery: "An open-fronted vertical machining centre brought extra 4-axis machining capability for single set-up machining of multi-faced components at a UK valve manufacturer".
In October 2007, we covered the news from ABB Robotics
concerning its RobotWare Machining FC software
- take a look at Fettling robot 'feels' its way around castings
which says: "A software function, RobotWare Machining FC, lets robots grind, polish or buff castings while maintaining a constant pressure between the tool and the work surface".
Take a look also at the news release from Dugard, Vertical machining centres aid subcontractor,
as well as Turning insert has stronger edge line from Sandvik Coromant UK,
and Mould surfaces made more durable from Keronite.
See also:
Aluminium tools reduce volume moulding costs
(September 2007)
Plasma electrolytic oxidation enables aluminium to be used as a replacement for expensive steel tools by improving the durability and the release properties of the surface
Tool management - increase machine tool usage
(August 2007)
Comparing manual and automated RFID tool management, Balluff shows ways to save money, improve productivity, increase tool life, reduce waste, and increase machine up-time
Insert drills offer holemaking flexibility
(August 2007)
When machining a hole, a carbide insert drill offers flexibility for drilling diifferent materials and can be quickly changed as tool wear increases, reports Mike Page
Radial and spiral milling added to CAM
(July 2007)
Milling CAM developments include radial and spiral finishing and rest material functionality as well as added support for SolidWorks assembly files and Z-oscillation
Automate tool management and save costs
(June 2007)
Comparing manual tool management with RFID automated tool management, Balluff looks at ways to save money, improve productivity and increase cutting tool life
CAM software mill-turn is pre-configured
(May 2007)
CAM software features an enhanced user interface, pre-configured mill-turn environment, new machine kits and advanced 'Free Flow Machining' technology
CMM/laser inspection and reverse engineering
(May 2007)
Romer, a Hexagon Metrology company, has announced ScanShark, an inspection and reverse engineering system which utilises portable CMM and non-contact laser scanning technology
Drills' hydrostatic support clears chips
(May 2007)
To clear swarf reliably during drilling, these drills have four coolant channels hat exit axially on the end face of the drill and also improves concentricity
Engraving machine uses YAG laser too
(April 2007)
Italian manufacturer of engraving machine tools and equipment has introduced a multi-tasking machining/laser engraving centre and a very novel self-loading workholding system for engraving machines
Front loader twin-spindle lathe halves labour cost
(April 2007)
At a supplier of precision transmission components, a twin-spindle, front-loading CNC lathe with gantry loader has halved the labour cost over three shifts, producing 58 clutches/h - a 130% increase
CAD/CAM has improved HSM toolpaths
(March 2007)
Latest CAD/CAM software offers significant new capabilities, including improved toolpaths for high speed machining, multi-axis enhancements, and much more
Pick-up spindle VTL machines in one set-up
(March 2007)
Vertical pick-up spindle turning centres completely machines workpieces of up to 800mm diameter in a single set-up for the small and medium size batch production
Workpieces up to 800mm diameter machined in one
(March 2007)
Vertical pick-up spindle (or hanging spindle), multi-function vertical turning centres machine components up to 800mm diameter for small and medium batch production
HMCs reliably machine tough alloys
(March 2007)
Reliability and rigidness are paramount in a horizontal machining centre when machining forged stainless steels and titanium alloys in cuycles of up to 40h
High-speed 3-axis machining centres are precise
(March 2007)
Two new models of high performance 3-axis milling machines are aimed at precision manufacturers in aerospace, medical, motor sport and general precision
Four-axis CNC combines G-code and conversation
(February 2007)
Latest 4-axis CNC combines standard G Code with true conversational programming in one system and has a highly-intuitive user interface and solid modelling capabilities
Workholding tooling betters taper/flange contact
(November 2006)
Face and taper tooling systems have an internal expanding pressure design that enables perfect and balanced taper and flange contact to be maintained even when high-speed machining
Alphastone helps APS Masonry
(November 2006)
APS Masonry has made a major investment in a Brembana G-Rex CNC milling and routing machine, controlled by Alphastone software from Coventry-based Alphacam
Thread milling tool has longer life
(November 2006)
Using a thread milling tool has raised the output of a thread milling operation on a shaft-type component from jtwo pieces before tool failure to at least 20 workpieces
Applicator accessory helps track crimp tool usage
(November 2006)
Applicator accessory will help manufacturers track tool usage for more effective maintenance scheduling, providing access to operation counts and other statistics
Adaptive control safeguards CNC machining
(October 2006)
Adaptive control and monitoring system optimizes the roughing out and semi-finishing machining of a mould/die, as well as ensuring the absolute safety of the tool, spindle and machine tool
DRO and CNC control systems on show at event
(October 2006)
ACI (UK) will be displaying a comprehensive array of its world-leading CNC and DRO systems at Productivity Partnerships, 14-16 November at 600 Centre, Shepshed
Advanced CAD and CAM features updated
(October 2006)
New change recognition system features Mastercam X2, which will recognise if an updated model is imported from any CAD system and automatically apply toolpaths from a previous version
Schott Systeme Showcase 5 Axis Machining at AMB
(September 2006)
As part of the AMB exhibition in Stuttgart on 19th - 23rd September, German CAD/CAM developer Schott Systeme will be showcasing some of their latest 5 Axis simultaneous milling techniques
More automation systems for EDM intrroduced
(September 2006)
Four innovative work handling automation systems for EDM and machining systems shown at IMTS 2006 include work pallet handling, a damped pallet system and heavy duty clamping
Vibration-damped palletisation reduces tool wear
(September 2006)
Vibration-damped workpiece palletisation improves the quality of the surface finish which reduces the amount of polishing time (by a factor of 5) and significantly reduces tool wear (by 30%)
TiCN inserts offer long life in steel and CI
(September 2006)
TiCN-coated thread milling inserts offer users long tool life and high resistance to edge chipping and tool wear - resulting in fewer insert changes and lower tool costs per part
Second four-axis machining centre acquired
(August 2006)
A five year contract to supply titanium and aluminium brackets for the aerospace industry has prompted investment by a subcontractor in a second machining centre with a 4th axis
Vertical turning centres completely machine parts
(August 2006)
Vertical turning centre shown at the recent METAV exhibition completely machines parts up to 800mm diameter in a single set-up and replaces the vertical turret lathes previously employed
Coolant system eases turning of difficult metals
(August 2006)
Coolant system makes the turning of difficult-to-machine materials like hardened steels, wear-resistant alloys and titanium-based alloys faster while total machining costs reduce
Machining centres designed for volume production
(August 2006)
Machining centres deliver all the power and speed for fast, high-accuracy manufacture of parts in medium-to-high volumes, offering rapid traverse rates of 48m/min and 5m/s2 acceleration/deceleration
Vanishing press lubricant solves drying problem
(August 2006)
A company's steel panels were not drying fast enough after leaving their press plant and arriving at their assembly line, but a faster vanishing lubricant has since solved the problem
UK agent appointed for US diamond tooling
(August 2006)
S D Tooling UK has been appointed exclusive UK agent for the range of cost-effective and highly productive diamond cutting tools manufactured in the USA by SP3 Cutting Tools
EDM die-sinker guarrantees high accuracy
(July 2006)
Precision toolmaker chose an EDM die sinker - machine that guarantees high-accuracy and repeatability - designed for the cost-efficient manufacture of complex, high-precision tools