Page 52 - MetalForming July 2013

Tooling Update
Tooling Technology
Punch a Slew of Holes, Distortion-Free
Thanks to a new integrated flattening concept devel- oped by Trumpf Inc., Farmington, CT, fabricators can punch a large number of holes in thin sheetmetal without dis- torting the panel. During a standard punching process, the punch draws material into the hole as it pene- trates the sheet. This creates compressive stress. Then, as the punch withdraws, tensile stress arises. These forces can cause material deformation, especially when processing thin-gauge sheet with many holes.
Now, with integrated flattening, opposing stresses are introduced to keep the sheet- metal panels flat, eliminating post-process flattening. The func- tion is available on Trumpf’s TruPunch 5000 punching machine and TruMat- ic 7000 punch-laser combination machine. It works thanks to a convex die working in tandem with a concave stripper that features a recess and special coating. The convex die presses the sheetmetal against the strip- per from underneath, to overbend the material. The concave stripper counteracts by pressing the mate- rial raised by the die back downward at the edge of the die. The overbending creates counter-stresses, which offset the com-
pressive and tensile stresses caused by the punching process. The end result: the material leaves the machine flat.
Trumpf Inc.: 860/255-6000; www.us.trumpf.com
Automated Grinder Sharpens Punch Tooling of Any Style
Mate Precision Tooling, Anoka, MN, introduces the Premia sharpening system for automated, precision sharp- ening of all popular styles of CNC punch-press tooling. A touchscreen interface simplifies tool setup and mainte- nance operations. All actions are menu-driven, with three standard programs for small, medium and large tools, and two completely customizable programs. The programs ensure consistency regardless of who operates the machine.
If an operator prefers manual operation, he can opt for Premia’s manual mode. And, for optimum operator versa- tility, the interface allows a choice of language and meas- urement units; the software interface is easily updatable via a USB port or SD card. The software even provides an esti- mated time to completion, and when done, Premia shuts off automatically.
Operation begins by using the unit’s universal fixture, which accommodates all pop- ular tooling styles including thick turret, Trumpf style, Murata Wiedemann, Multi Tool, thin turret, XMT and Salvagnini. The operator inserts the tool in the universal fixture, selects the appropriate program from the menu, and presses “Start,” and Premia sharp-
ens the tool without assistance. It employs a solid-surface 7 .8-in. CBN grinding wheel, without the fast-wearing perpendicular slots; the coolant system directs coolant automatically through the grinding wheel. A dual-stage filtering process includes magnetic swarf reten- tion that simplifies maintenance, pro- motes longer maintenance intervals and extends coolant pump life.
For additional flexibility, Premia has a large 12.60-in. rotary table, for sharpening large-diameter tools. The table angle adjusts from 0 to 12 deg. to allow shears (including rooftop and Trumpf-style whisper) to be ground on punches.
Overall footprint: 76.5 by 26 in.; weight: 660 lb.
Mate Precision Tooling: 763/421-0230; www.mate.com
Exchangeable-Head
Milling System with
Internal Coolant
Sandvik Coromant, Fair Lawn, NJ, intro- duces the CoroMill 316 exchangeable-head milling system with internal coolant deliv- ery, ideal for high-feed face milling, slot milling, helical interpolation, shoulder milling, profile milling and chamfer milling of components in material groups from ISO P to ISO S. Machining these heat-resistant superalloys, titanium alloys and stainless steels often requires the use of coolant for temperature control and chip evacuation during cutting. Recutting of chips and chip jamming often lead to poor surface quality, damage to the cutting edge and tool breakage.
By offering an internal coolant solution, with precise positioning of coolant holes to optimize the effect of the coolant jet, CoroMill 316 reportedly will outper- form existing solutions using external coolant.
CoroMill 316 end mills are even suit- able for five axis milling of flanks, which often require tapered tools for stability at longer tool reach.
Sandvik Coromant: 800/726-3845; www.sandvikcoromant.com
50 MetalForming/July 2013
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