TPT May 2018

T E CHNOLOG Y

Improving cutting tool life and performance THE latest drag and stream finishing machines from OTEC Präzisionsfinish are enabling UK company Fintek to provide tool users with a service that improves the performance and extends the life of cutting tools. Tool condition also directly affects the surface finish of a machined area and the probability of incurring more costs in further processing to meet the required end product quality. finished to the original manufacturer’s standard or sometimes even better. To achieve this takes more than re- grinding alone, as this often leaves a sharp and brittle cutting edge which is easily chipped. “The Fintek surface-finishing service not only grinds but also edge hones and smooths in one process. Edge honing puts a perfect radius on the cutting point, strengthening the edge to retain sharpness longer without chipping. Tool life is often more than tripled before needing to be re-finished.” For UK tool manufacturers, Fintek provides a full range of OTEC DF and SF machines for in-line production. From fully automated to robotised systems, these ensure reliable and repeatable cutting tool finishing. All are able to precisely edge radius, de-burr, smooth and polish in a single cycle that can be measured in minutes and sometimes seconds. The company can advise on improving cutting tool life and performance, and also offers a free trial service. cutting geometries for the best tool performance.

From multiple-axis CNC milling machines to simple drilling and lathing centres, quality and productivity are highly dependent on the sharpness, reliability and longevity of cutting tools. Replacing worn tools with new ones is costly and tempts users to run longer with a less than optimum tool, putting quality and productivity at risk. The alternative of resetting the cutting machine to allow for tool defects is risky. Managing director Jonathan Dean explained, “Worn tools – whether HSS, carbide or coated – can all be re-

In the same cycle as precisely radiusing the edges of cutting tools to prevent chipping, the unevenness in the peaks on the surfaces in the chip flutes is removed. This reduces friction and wear, and allows debris from the cutting point to be cleared – especially important for difficult materials such as aluminium and composites. Again in the same cycle, polishing takes surface smoothness even further. This precision process restores the original

Fintek – UK Fax: +44 1706 825748 Email: info@fintek.co.uk Website: www.fintek.co.uk

OTEC Präzisionsfinish GmbH – Germany Fax: +49 7082 4911 29

Email: info@otec.de Website: www.otec.de

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MAY 2018