PTG wins aerospace order for Edgetek 5-axis super abrasive machine

The Edgetek CBN machine, has been purchased to improve cycle times and increase machinery efficiency in the production of custom-machined critical components, for aerospace and industrial gas turbines. This includes turbine components made from exotic alloys, which are extremely hard to machine. Therm, located in Ithaca, New York, is a supplier of turbine components to all the major OEM's, specialising in LP and HP, blades and vanes, for aerospace and industrial gas turbine applications. "Key to our success, in winning this order, was our ability to demonstrate an excellent track record for Edgetek machines achieving vastly improved performance in aerospace manufacturing applications. We were able to demonstrate how, a US-based, aerospace subcontractor had used, an Edgetek 5- axis Superabrasive Machining System, to slash the cycle time for 'shroud segment' production, from 150 minutes to just 17 minutes," said Steve Benn, PTG regional sales manager for machines. "The shroud segment is manufactured from extremely hard Hastalloy X, and had previously been machined using a vertical turning centre. This required time consuming set-up and involved a configuration which imposed excessive levels of tool wear, because of its interrupted cut." "Using a 5-axis Edgetek machine has dramatically reduced the overall cycle time for each component, because of its combination of high metal removal rates and simplified set-up. Tooling costs have also been reduced by over 30 per cent, thanks to the elimination of the interrupted cut made necessary by the VTL's set-up limitations." Precision Technologies Group (PTG) includes the well-known brands: Jones & Shipman, Holroyd, Binns & Berry, Crawford Swift and Precision Components.