significantly, the shop has reduced processing times for these materials by as much as 70% in some instances, while also creating parts that were previously impossible to produce. For example, Reliance threads silicon-nitride tubing on its special machining system. Threading ceramics is a first and will pave the way for potentially incorporating ceramic piping for use in ultra-harsh environments. Additionally, engine components such as ceramic cylinder liners, glow plugs, and other components, can now be machined more efficiently with the Reliance system. Ceramic cylinder liners are practically impervious to grit and sand in an engine, saving downtime and expensive engine block replacement. Reliance’s achievements in machining ceramics stem from
the shop’s pioneering work in hard turning heat-treated tool steels in an effort to eliminate the costly and time-consuming secondary finishing operation of diamond wheel grinding. Over 20 years ago, Reliance developed cutting techniques and de- termined the best tooling for the hard machining process.
As a first in the industry, Reliance is able to thread ceramic parts on a multitasking machine with the help of a laser beam and special insert technology from Seco Tools.
For hard turning, Reliance used custom cutting inserts made from cubic boron nitride (CBN) that worked well, but then the shop advanced into using ceramic tooling, which worked even better and was more economical than CBN. How- ever, ceramic tools could not be used to machine ceramics, so
It’s Time to Take a Fresh Look! M. A. Ford® has an
Advanced Product Group focusing on Engineered and Custom Cutting Tool Solutions?
Call today to increase your productivity and profits!