Product category:
Turning tools
News Release from: TaeguTec UK | Subject: AS20 turning inserts
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 July 2002
Ceramic inserts turn tough materials
faster
Ceramic turning inserts allows high nickel content alloys, such as Inconel 718 and Waspaloy, to be turned at speeds of up to 350m/min - six times faster than standard ceramic tooling.
Specialist cutting tool maker TaeguTec has launched a new ceramic grade of turning inserts for machining at very high speeds the ultra-tough heat resistant alloys used in the aerospace industry, helping manufacturers dramatically cut both tool costs and machining times The strength and heat resistant properties of TaeguTec's AS20 turning inserts means that high nickel content materials, such as Inconel 718 and Waspaloy, can be turned at speeds of up to 350m/min - six times faster than standard ceramic inserts, giving end users and OEMs the potential for significant time savings and cost reductions
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 Mar 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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What is believed to be a ground-breaking new product - 'As Pressed' ready-sized ceramic inserts - will be launched at MACH 2002. The inserts are some 20% lower in cost and life increased by 30%.
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To be launched at MACH 2002 is a product that will revolutionise the metal cutting industry's use of ceramic inserts for turning and grooving, dramati- cally improving tool-life and cutting speeds.
The rates of speed and feed of the AS20 match that of the only other insert capable of cutting at such speeds - whisker ceramics.
However, the technology behind the AS20 also offers OEMs considerable cost savings, greater reliability and tool use.
Made from a silicon nitride and titanium nitride compound ceramic, specially developed for this sector by TaeguTec's dedicated research centre in Korea, the AS20 differs dramatically from whisker inserts.
Further reading
Dense carbides mill cast iron at 45,000 rev/min
Specifically designed for mould and die toolmakers and high speed machining applications, the use of extra dense, sub-micron grade carbides in end mills enable cast iron milling at 45,000 rev/min.
Exceptionally strong holder allows bigger feeds
Providing exceptionally strong clamping force, a turning toolholder is ideal for high feed machining enabling feeds to be increased greatly when conducting continuous or interrupted cutting.
The AS20 does not need the fine lattice structure that whisker inserts rely on to give them the strength to withstand the high temperatures, strength and heat resistant nature of alloys like Inconel 718.
This greatly reduces the inserts' production costs, with the AS20 currently costing around 40% less than whisker inserts, a saving that TaeguTec passes directly back to the user.
But the AS20 also performs better than whisker inserts in many areas.
Tests show that, in addition to lower unit costs through more efficient production, the AS20, unlike whisker ceramics, also allows for interrupted cuts - thereby increasing tool life further.
The high temperatures generated when machining nickel based materials makes the use of coolant necessary, although this can also cause unpredictability of performance in whisker inserts.
The AS20, in contrast, is able to withstand higher temperatures than whisker-type ceramics and therefore gives much more reliable performance.
TaeguTec's tests show that the AS20's toughness was 6.5 MPam1/2, compared with 5.5 MPam1/2 for whisker ceramics.
To machine nickel alloys at very high speeds requires specialist properties that until now had only been provided by whisker ceramics.
TaeguTec's AS20 provides the necessary strength at a considerably lower cost while also giving greater tool use and more reliable performance.
"This insert is typical of the new products developed by our dedicated research team and shows our commitment to ensure that 60% of Taegutec's sales are in products no more than two years old, helping our customers to benefit from the latest technology available," said general manager Ronnie O'Byrne.
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