Sensor measures tool cutting edge rounding

A cutting edge rounding sensor makes it possible to measure the cutting edge rounding on cutting tools precisely in order to imrove further tool life and cutting performance, said Walter.

Walter Maschinenbau in Tuebingen, Germany has introduced a cutting edge rounding sensor (SKV) to precisely measure within microns the face and contour cutting edge rounding on cutting tools.

The exact measurement of the edge rounding is a starting point for further optimisation of the tools with regard to their service life and cutting ability, said Walter.

The edge roundings are always designed to be smaller and, in part, also asymmetrical.

Walter told manufacturingtalk that up to now, the cutting edge radius was difficult to measure precisely.

The SKV cutting edge rounding sensor is available as an option for the Walter Helicheck Pro/Plus tool and cutter measuring machines.

The sensor is a non-contact device, and operates according to the autofocus method.

A CNC precision swivel axis, with a swivel angle of 0 to 90 deg and a position resolution of 0.001 deg as well as 1000-times magnifying precision optics, measure the micro geometry of the cutter.

The system can be used for edge roundings of 3 to 50 micron.

The cutting edge rounding, the cutter shape and the jaggedness of the cutting edge form part of the micro geometry of the cutter.

The size of the radii and the resulting sensitivity of the cutting edge require special procedures during measuring.

The SKV sensor helps determine the complete micro geometry of a cutter and all other profiles on micro components.

Using a number of cameras requires only a simple tool orientation.

Time-consuming manual pre-positioning is unnecessary, said Walter.

The measuring process lasts less than 1 min depending on the application.

The SKV sensor can also be used for standard tasks, such as measuring tool clearance angles or effective cutting angles, which may otherwise be beyond the capabilities of a normal sensor.

This provides a complete system for all measuring tasks performed on a tool.

By integrating it into the Quickcheck measuring software, operation and programming is made simple and the need for training is low, added Walter.

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