LMT’s specialist division creates bespoke hybrid cutters
1 min read
LMT's Kieninger division has set up a specialist tool operation for the design, development, production and service of bespoke hybrid tools using combinations of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and carbide giving the ability to produce associated features of a component within the same cutting cycle.
As a result, these special tools, available through LMT UK of Meriden, can contribute to the reduction of cycle times, help to ensure geometric relationships, cut the number of tools and magazine stations required while lowering tool inventory. The service is structured to tailor the tool design to solve the combination of different features of a component that would normally be best served by unlike tool materials and so optimise the single station application.
Among the recent multi-functional hybrid tools developed by LMT is the inclusion of a carbide tool to drill a hole with a separate PCD insert to produce a counterbore with further features machined on the component using cartridge-based carbide inserts. This enabled the face of the component to be machined in the same setting but as the cutting life of the insert was shorter, it had the advantage of being able to be changed quickly and be precisely adjusted for size.
A special combination roughing and finishing internal cutter has also been developed with PCD inserts having special rotary internal/external PCD combination tools mounted in cartridge units with PCD inserts used for combination drilling/boring and circular milling.
