Software aids machining complex cutter forms

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Jul 17, 2008

Walter has introduced an innovative cutting tool measurement/grinding compensation program enables batches of complex profile cutters to be consistently machined to +/-2 micron.

Walter has introduced an innovative cutting tool measurement/grinding compensation program that enables batches of complex profile cutters to be consistently machined to +/-2 micron.

The software is for the Walter Helicheck range of tool measurement machines available from Koerber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth.

Walter said that its compensation program differs from alternative systems in that it is fully automatic (rather than being guided manually).

It is therefore quicker, is operator-independent and it carries out a full profile scan of a tool's cutting edge rather than simply a selection of points.

The result is that following Helicheck comparison of the first-off tool to original specification - which can be expected to be accurate to +/-5 micron - the program will then automatically update the Walter Helitronic grinding machine (either via direct link or memory stick) to enable the machine to consistently produce a batch of tools with complex forms using the same grinding wheel.

Part of the Walter machine comprehensive tool measurement software suite, which includes Teach-in mode, ViaScan, ViaFit and DXF generator, the new compensation program also complements Walter's Quick-Check Modular, Quick-Check Turbo and Quick-Check Grinding Wheels routines available on the Helicheck range of Pro, Plus and Basic machines.