Kennametal’s Romicron fine boring systems enable on-machine and CNC in-process adjustment
1 min read
Kennametal Romicron fine boring systems allow even inexperienced operators to dial in extremely close tolerances – a few microns in diameter – while the tool is mounted in the machine tool.
Using cartridges or boring bars, every Romicron tool can be adjusted in diameter with a dial ring in 2 micron increments. A clicking mechanism provides instant adjustment feedback so that the machine operator not only sees the adjustment at the scale, but also hears and feels it.
The Romicron AVS tooling covers the diameter range of 25 to 79 mm and can run at up to 20,000 rpm spindle speeds. It accommodates standard ISO inserts including the latest Kennametal BeyondTM tooling, and can run with up to 120 bar high pressure coolant systems for better chip evacuation and reduced temperatures at the cutting edge.
Basically, the Romicron system consists of proprietary slide-gate mechanics that work like a transmission and translate an adjustment in a relationship of about 10:1. This means a small adjustment by the operator at the tool is converted into a still smaller change of diameter at the cut. The slide-gate valve mechanism is self-locking so no clamping screw is required. The spindle is decoupled from the cutting force and the entire mechanism is nearly backlash free.
The nearly backlash-free adjustment mechanism allows adjusting to larger or smaller diameters without rotating more than required instead of the numerous back and forward movements often necessary to compensate for backlash.
The Romicron system can be automated by a machine tool's CNC, resulting in a closed-loop boring (CLB) system. With in-process measurement equipment, current hole dimension measurement data can be sent to a machine tool's CNC after machining. The CNC calculates the number of adjustment increments to bring the hole within tolerance. To achieve this adjustment a retractable, spring-loaded locking pin is located and engages at respective CLB holes on the Romicron tool's adjustment ring. Based on the calculation, the spindle rotates the required amount to adjust the tool and continues machining until the next planned measurement and adjustment cycle.
