specifi c and accurate edge roundness for those appli- cations where that would perform better. And they can deliver a consistent circular land of any width along the edge. Laser technology is also able to create chipbreak- ers and other features that were virtually impossible to create in PCD and other super-hard materials with any other method. Profi le accuracy is in the range ±3 µm on fi nished tools. Rollomatic customers have reported ac- curacies as good as ±2 microns.


What’s Next?


Peter said most users are producing the same tool de- signs with laser they would have made using conventional methods, but that “the superior edge quality and sharp- ness possible with laser will allow toolmakers to develop new tool geometries with higher performance.” Peter also suggested that laser’s ability to cut almost anything frees the designer to consider entirely new materials and there are rumblings in the industry of just such developments.


Dold said that although the original impetus for laser abla- tion in cutting tool production was for CVD-D tools, the main market remains PCD. “But this is a new fi eld and everyone is looking into it. There are people who say the thermal dam- age created by nanosecond lasers in MCD is acceptable as long as the tool lasts and they use this approach. Then again, prices are coming down for both systems. So we’ll see.” In an intriguing tack, Markus Stolmar, United Grinding North America’s VP, tool division (Miamisburg, OH), said he sees more market potential for laser technology in the car- bide market than the super-hard tool market. “The super- hard market will remain small,” he said. “But laser’s ability to create a well-defi ned edge and special surface fi nishes, including surfaces that repel chips, may prove to be a big- ger seller for carbide tools.” Peter said that “the carbide applications are interesting and multiple. We will see more applications with combinations of diamond and carbide materials being machined on lasers.” So with a laser pun fully intended: Stay tuned! |||


AdvancedManufacturing.org LF17


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