Exactaform slashes tool design and development costs
1 min read
Exactaform, a world leader in the design and manufacture of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tooling for global aerospace and automotive markets, has upgraded its R&D facility with the addition of a cutting force dynamometer based on a Kistler Instruments piezoelectric multi-component force link set and amplifier.
"We chose the Kistler force link set because it allows us to analyse the performance of new designs very accurately with excellent repeatability." says general manager Peter Raynor. A typical application is the determination of the optimum feed rate for the maxi-flute router with 12 teeth, an Exactaform exclusive, which achieves maximum performance by reducing the chip load per tooth.
The maxi-flute router is designed specifically to deliver excellent surface finish and dimensional accuracy when machining difficult materials, including fibre reinforced composites (FRC), metal matrix composites (MMC) and aluminium. Using the Kistler equipped cutting force dynamometer, the design team is able to take full advantage of the unique 12-tooth design by optimising the feed rate for each material, allowing the user to maximise productivity,whilst benefiting from high surface finish and significantly increased tool life.
With its output of around a thousand tools each week, the installation of the Kistler-equipped dynamometer allows Exactaform to specify the best feed rate for each new design, with total confidence, while benefitting from a 20% saving in tool design and development costs.
