NCMT offers industry productivity boosting technology

The patented technologies dramatically increase productivity and reduce tooling costs by identifying for each machining application the spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut that will maximise metal removal rate, while maintaining accuracy and surface finish. It does this by avoiding vibration and chatter through correct selection of machining parameters so that each unique combination of machine structure, spindle, toolholder and cutter does not resonate at its natural harmonic frequencies. The basic elements of MetalMAX and Harmonizer (see www.mfg-labs.com) are specially developed TXF software and precision vibration sensors to determine the frequency signature of a cutting tool assembly mounted in a machine tool spindle. A similar signature measurement can be obtained from the clamped workpiece. To establish the frequencies, a 'tap test', where tools or workpieces are tapped with an electronic hammer, is undertaken. The results determine the resonant frequencies that should be avoided, providing a guide to establishing the feeds and speeds that will result in stable cutting conditions. This reduces the time taken to prove out jobs and eliminates the need for extensive trials, which is time-consuming and in the case of titanium, for example, expensive in terms of wasted material.