There are only 10 days left until IMTS 2016 kicks off in Chicago.
Here are just a few of the workholding and machining solutions you can expect to see on the show floor.
5-Axis Blisk Machining with Autodesk
Gone are the days when the only people that bought 5-axis machines were the early adopters, who had no other choice because of the shapes of their parts. Many early 5-axis mills suffered from accuracy and repeatability issues, were difficult to program and use, had higher maintenance costs and were priced so high the average manufacturer could not afford one.
Over time, technology improvements have increased accuracy while reducing maintenance and costs. New CAM software algorithms have made programming 5-axis mills easier than ever before, including digitally verifying the code for safety once programmed. This has all allowed an increase in sales and use of 5-axis machining for many more industries like tooling, molds, dies, fixtures and others.
However, some parts still require 5-Axis machining to complete the job, such as a blisk. (A round part with integral curved vanes and blades)
Many blisks are made of titanium and nickle and machining them from a solid is becoming preferred due to the advantages of weight, efficiency and through-life servicing. Machining blisks efficiently becomes a different problem to solve.
Not long ago, many manufacturers were happy just to be able to completely machine a blisk from a solid successfully, whether it was done efficiently or not. Today, with so many blisks used in the aerospace, automotive, power generation and other industries, one no longer has the luxury of machining them inefficiently in production. Teamwork is necessary to provide a complete solution.
The CAM cutterpaths to machine a blisk are somewhat specialized and the tooling can be also. Collaborating with UK based cutting tool specialist Technicut, the Delcam team, part of Autodesk’s Advanced Manufacturing Solutions, jointly developed new tooling concepts and new toolpath strategies for machining these difficult parts. This patent-pending process combines innovative tooling solutions and application strategies for the roughing, semi-finish and finish machining of all integrally bladed rotors.
In the end, the solution provided a 51 percent time reduction to machine a blisk from start to finish. In a day and age where many production shops are ecstatic to get a one percent or two percent reduction in machine cycle time, 51 percent is virtually unheard of.
You can see the finished blisk on display at IMTS 2016 in Chicago IL Booth E-3222 September 12- 17. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com.
Precision Twist Drill Brand from Dormer Pramet
Dormer Pramet’s Precision Twist Drill brand provides a legacy of delivering a full portfolio to support National Aerospace Standards for 907 (Types A, B, C, D & J), standard & special threaded hex shank NAS 965 (Types B & D) and special double margin step drills made to NAS 937 (Types B & D). Included in this broad portfolio are both HSS and HSCo jobber drills.
Some of the general purpose drills, the R10A, R18A and R15A, are available in fractional, wire and letter sizes. These jobber length drills meet NAS 907 Type A requirements. These drills feature sturdy construction with black oxide finish for optimum wear resistance and durability with a conventional 118° drill point. The PTD R10A, R18A and R15A are suitable for general purpose applications and can be used on steel, stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, nickel, copper, aluminum magnesium, synthetic materials and hard materials.
The Precision Twist Drill R10B, R18B and R15BB series for NAS 907 Type B are fractional, wire and letter size HSS Jobber Length drill bits that feature heavy duty construction with black oxide surface treatment for optimum wear resistance and durability with a 135° Split Point design. The PTD R10B, R18B and R15B are suitable for heavier drilling applications and can be used on steel, stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, nickel, copper, aluminum magnesium, synthetic materials and hard materials.
For more information, visit Dormer Pramet’s booth (W-2464) at IMTS 2016 or www.dormerpramet.com.
Workholding Lineup from Hardinge Workholding
The Hardinge Workholding Group will feature some productivity displays at IMTS including the Quick Change FlexC Collet Systems, which provide fast changeover, high accuracy and a wide gripping range for stock variation when compared to traditional collets.
Hardinge will be displaying a new line of accessories for the FlexC system including ID Gripping Solutions, additional OD Gripping Solutions, special part ejectors and more.
FlexC is available in 42mm, 65mm, and 80mm sizes and can be installed on all machine brands. Sure-Grip Expanding Collet Systems ID gripping is made easy with the patented Hardinge Sure-Grip Expanding Collet System. The Hardinge Sure-Grip Expanding Collet provides provisions for part length control built into its design and provides fast change over times.
Also, Hardinge provides custom ID Gripping solutions to meet the most difficult ID Workholding requirements.
On display at IMTS will be the full range of Hardinge Swiss Workholding including Overgrip Collets, Meehanite Collets, Carbide Lined Collets, Special Slot Collets & Guide Bushings, Bar Loader Collets and more. Hardinge collets are precision ground to meet the TIR and Surface Finish specifications required in the Swiss industry.
For more information visit Hardinge at IMTS at booth S-8738, or visit www.hardingeus.com.