Tooling solutions to enable higher productivity increases

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 25 January 2008

69

Citation

(2008), "Tooling solutions to enable higher productivity increases", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780aad.001

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited


Tooling solutions to enable higher productivity increases

Tooling solutions to enable higher productivity increases

Nano-crystalline TiCN is a totally new yellow coloured ceramic coating development by the Boehlerit carbide division of LMT that reportedly enables its Steeltec LC225 indexable turning insert to run at cutting speeds in excess of 300m/min on steel while maintaining a tool life up to 50 per cent greater than a conventional coated turning insert.

The new insert release is just one of a whole series of high-performance tooling and toolholding developments launched at the recent EMO 2007 by LMT Fette that also includes a totally new turning insert, specially formulated for machining superalloys at rates up to 20 per cent faster and a new range of diamond-coated solid carbide drills for composite and aluminium materials which claim to give vastly improved economies over the more traditional polycrystalline diamond tools. On the exhibition stand, were a new range of micro cutting tools from its Onsrud division in America, available in three different lengths from 0.2mm diameter.

The newly released tooling, available through LMT (UK) of Coventry, has been developed to significantly increase productivity for which the world patented Steeltec LC225K turning insert is a prime example, having a totally new method of manufacture.

The fabricated composite layer consists of nano-crystalline TiCN with a yellow coating to provide highly visual indication of any signs of wear. Gradient carbide, enriched with cobalt is used to promote stability under cut and decrease any likelihood of micro- breakage while the fine, needle structure of the Nanolock bonding layer is said to significantly improve heat dissipation when machining dry. The Drytec surface coating on the insert is ground after coating and because the insert is ultra-smooth, formation of any built-up-edge under cutting conditions is reduced.

The introduction of the Boehlerit Supertec lathe tool range, focusing on the LC 4052 fine grain carbide insert, will demonstrate the influence of a special heat-resistant carbide substrate which has a nano-crystalline nitride layer. As a result, cutting speeds when machining superalloys such as Inconel, Hastelloy, Waspaloy and Titanium can reportedly be increased by up to 20 per cent. In addition, the new diamond- coated solid carbide drill range has been developed for composite machining with geometry that prevents splintering or laceration of lower and upper coating layers that form the material.

Details available from: LMT (UK) Limited, Tel: +44 (00 24 7636 9770, Fax: +44 (0) 24 7636 9771, web site: www.LMT-tools.com

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