Jay Ball
Solid Carbide Product Manager Seco Tools
www.secotools.com
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING NOW
Cutting-Edge Tool Geometries Push Machines to Their Limits
N
ot long ago the quality and performance of overall cutting tool technology often limited the production capacity of machine tools. Today, however, cutting-edge tool devel- opments have, for the most part, reversed that relationship. As compared with past technologies, current highly ad- vanced cutting tools can essentially eliminate harmonics, allow for double the machining feed rates and deliver twice the tool life to maximize overall metal removal processes. Modern cutting tools are so effective that, in many instances, a machine tool spindle’s power and speed capabilities are what hold the tools back and hinder their performance. Metal removal rates are the driving force behind many of the innovations in the manufacturing industry. Shops stay competi- tive when they incorporate new ways to increase the amount of metal they can cut through within every hour. To that end, cutting tool suppliers developed what are known as variable geometry cutting tools as far back as 15 years ago. Unfortunately, tool grinding technology at the time was not advanced enough to further develop and optimize them. That has since changed, and today’s tool grinding systems
are much more capable and precise. As a result, the variable geometry concept has advanced signifi cantly to a variation de- veloped by Niagara Cutter called the continuously variable asym- metric fl ute geometry. The geometry is found on the company’s new Stabilizer 2.0 solid-carbide end mills.
This patented geometry eliminates detrimental harmonics and chatter vibrations, which enables more aggressive depths of cut and higher removal rates in surface square footage. Each cutting edge varies from front to back and differs from the one next to it. Plus, each of the tool’s four fl utes are spaced at different degrees from one another instead of evenly at 90° apart. The helix, radial relief, radial clearance and indexing are all varied. And, any given point along the cutting edge of each fl ute is different from another point on that same fl ute as well as being different from any points on the other three fl utes. Additionally, the Stabilizer 2.0’s fl ute cavity shape not only accommodates the advanced tool geometry, it also optimizes chip fl ow for accelerated feed rates. However, as feed rates and cutting depths increase, so do detrimental harmonics.
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AdvancedManufacturing.org | January 2017 a MODERN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, SOLUTIONS & STRATEGIES
What occurs is that wave patterns of frequency vibrations become both longer and closer together until they reach a harmonic state and amplify each other. These harmonic vibrations are the sum total of all movement in the machining process, including the cutting tool interacting with the cutting surface, the motions of the machine tool’s spindle, axes and the toolholder. Without tool geometries capable of mitigating the effects of vibrations, speeds and depths of cut must remain lighter to maintain part quality and tool life.
Any point on the cutting edge of each fl ute is different from another point on that same fl ute as well as being differ- ent from any points on the other fl utes.
Advancements in cutting tool technologies have boosted
metal removal rates over 200% in the last 15 years. In fact, the Stabilizer 2.0 delivers twice the feed rate and productivity of its predecessor. The new tool also doubles tool life even when feed rates are kept at the slower speeds. To gain the most from advanced variable geometry cutters and run them to their top potential, machine tools must be fast, rigid and robust enough to minimize vibrations when running at high speeds and heavy feeds. The 0.5"-diameter Stabilizer 2.0, for example, requires machines put out at least 35 hp to reach its maximum potential—specifi cations not every machine tool can provide. Seco and Niagara Cutter could create an even more productive cutting tool, but most current machines would lack the power needed to run the tool to its maximum limits. Toolholders must also have the mass and rigidity to withstand demanding forces. Standard side-lock holders with set screws or heavy-duty mill chucks are best for these applications, while most shrinkfi t holders and collets lack the ability to hold variable geometry tools in place under high-power cutting conditions. Now that cutting tools have caught up to the performance lev- els of machines, and are even now exceeding machines’ abil ities, innovations in these areas will only spur faster part produc tion. But the real winners of this race between machining systems are the shops that apply the new cutting tool technologies.
Dennis Noland
Senior Design and R&D Engineer Niagara Cutter
www.niagaracutter.com
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