Product category:
Threading tools
News Release from: LMT Fette | Subject: Induction shrinking units
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 October 2007
Mating of the toolshank to holder is
secure
The latest LMT Bilz ThermoGrip induction shrinking units allow automated secure mating of the shank of a cutting tool to its toolholder.
The secure mating of the shank of a cutting tool to its toolholder, involving the highly accurate and semi-permanent shrink fitting of carbide and high speed steel cutting tools, can now be fully automated into a single 30 second cycle on the latest LMT Bilz ThermoGrip induction shrinking units By maintaining a concentricity of 0.003 mm, the mating of the toolshank to holder can provide a balanced pre-set unit ideal for high speed machining cycles
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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The ISG-WK series of induction shrinking machines is the latest in the range of bench top and self-contained units now available from LMT (UK) of Coventry.
The machines use an inductive heating coil with a high energy field to locally heat the toolholder in order to expand the inner diameter and accept the toolshank.
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A fully integrated flood cooling system is then used to quench the tool assembly and because the complete operation is performed in a single cycle, any risk of injury associated with handling a heated tool unit is removed.
As part of the cycle, once the specified temperature is reached the toolshank is automatically and accurately inserted into the holder helped by the Bilz patented design of the counterbore and a further patent covering a Ferrite Plate System that avoids heat reaching the cutting tool.
The process controlled 10 kW, high frequency generator has the capacity for tools between 3 mm and 50 mm diameter by up to 450 mm long and presetting of the tool assembly can be carried out through the use of a measuring adaptor that is inserted with the toolholder.
The automated process prevents any overheating of the toolholder and once the designated temperature is reached and the toolshank inserted, the assembly is then moved down to the cooling position where flood quenching is applied against a set time.
The movement is then reversed and as the tool assembly moves to the unload position, a strategically positioned air knife dries the unit.
Operation is via menu assist with information shown in the graphics display of the dialogue based control.
An ejection device is available for removing any broken tools from their holder and a special shielding disc protects the tool from the strong magnetic field between the heating coil and the tool shank.
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