Producing titanium parts efficiently requires a delicate balance between productivity and profitability. However, in standard machining practices these two factors share an inverse relationship, meaning greater productivity can come at a higher cost due to rapid tool degradation, while the desire to increase profit margins by extending tool life may result in decreased metal-removal rates and extended cycle times. Overcoming this issue requires a new approach in which all components of the machining process are developed and integrated specific to the material’s unique challenges.
Why Hybrid Laser Assisted Machining:
Benefits -
- cutting tool that is capable of drastically improving removal rates at much higher cutting speeds (150 m/min or more) which is much higher than previously thought possible (conventional speeds are 60 m/min).
-
Hybrid machining process with a TiAlN coated tool has been proven to yield an overall increase in efficiency of ~30% and ~40%.
-
A two to three-fold increase in tool life has been demonstrated
-
improving tool life, reducing cutting force, and improving surface finish could be achieved without any adverse effects on the microstructure and hardness of the finished parts.
|
|
Reduction in cost -
-
Excessive tool wear and high tooling costs of diamond tools, TiAlN coated carbide cutting tool, and ceramic inserts make the cost associated with machining of these composites very high.
|
