A new video showing demonstrations of Delcam's Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy has been added to the Delcam.TV online video channel at www.delcam.tv/sgscarbide

The video was filmed during a joint seminar held by Delcam, cutting tool manufacturer SGS, and machine tool supplier DMG Mori at SGS's UK headquarters in Wokingham.  The event included presentations from the three companies describing their latest developments to increase machine tool productivity, followed by live demonstrations of high-efficiency machining on DMG Mori machine tools using SGS cutters.

The Vortex strategy, which was announced to be the Best CADCAM or Control System at the MWP Awards earlier this year, offers substantial time savings by allowing deeper cuts to be made using the full flute length of SGS's solid carbide tools as the cutting surface.  The demonstrations at SGS showed that time savings of up to 70% are possible with the new strategy, confirming results from a series of trials run by Delcam, on different machine tools within its Advanced Manufacturing Facility fitted with SGS tooling.

Unlike other high-speed roughing techniques that aim to maintain a constant theoretical metal-removal rate, the Vortex strategy produces toolpaths with a controlled engagement angle for the complete operation.  This maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the entire toolpath that would normally be possible only for the straight-line moves.  As a result, the cutting time will be significantly shorter, while cutting will be undertaken at a more consistent volume-removal rate and feed rate, so protecting the machine.

Because Vortex toolpaths have a controlled engagement angle, tools should never be overloaded and so will achieve the maximum tool life.  Shock loading caused by changes in the contact angle is minimised, preventing chipping of the flutes.  In addition, the stability of the cutting conditions gives more consistent edge temperatures, so prolonging the life of the tool coating and removing heat damage to the surface of the part.  Finally, the ability to use stepdowns of three, or even more, times the tool diameter spreads the tool wear evenly over the cutting surface of the tool, again contributing to longer tool life.

23 September 2014

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