Page 30 - MetalForming July 2017

Precision Machining Ensures Precision Fineblanking
components featuring fine-tooth fea- tures, similar to automotive seat-reclin- er components submitted by many of its customers. Performance of the V33i exceeded Feintool’s expectations, achieving the desired tolerances and quality while producing the fastest cycle time among all suppliers evalu- ated, according to Feintool officials.
Designed for long hours of unat- tended hardmilling, the V33i delivers high-speed machining with high accu- racy, efficient chip removal and simple operation, according to Makino offi- cials. Its standard 20,000-rpm spindle features a core-cooling and under-race lubrication system to minimize thermal distortion at high spindle speeds. Addi- tional rigidity is achieved with the inte- grated construction of the spindle and drive motor, which cuts down on vibra- tion during high-speed operation.
Controlling the impact of machine movement on thermal characteristics reduces temperature impact on the machining process and yields sustain-
able, long-term, dynamic accuracy. As such, temperature-controlled lubricant is used throughout the machine to minimize thermal growth during cut- ting, according to Makino officials. Cooled elements such as core-cooled ballscrews, lubricated ball nuts, a servo- motor cooling-jacket system and tem- perature-controlled passageways all work to provide structural temperature control.
Since this initial investment in one machine, Feintool’s business has grown substantially, requiring the company to add a third shift to keep up with demand. By 2014, customer demand had reached Feintool’s maximum capacity, which led the company to invest in a second V33i. The tool mag- azine on this machine was increased from 25 to 60 tools to support greater capacity and redundant tooling for extended, unattended machining oper- ations. Feintool continued its expan- sion of hardmilling capabilities with the addition of a third V33i in 2015.
Repeatable Toolwork Limits Manual Finishing
“Fineblanking tools require a very fine cutting edge in order to cut sheet- metal accurately during the stamping process, so we often coat finished chamfers with a TiCN coating to increase the tool’s performance,” explains John Castle, senior supervisor of tool maintenance at Feintool. “When it comes to hand-finishing the cutting edge, each toolmaker might have a dif- ferent method or approach, which increases the likelihood of inaccuracies in the final tool.
“If any inaccuracies are discovered during the stamping process, the tool must be sent back to the toolroom to remove the coating, reradius the cut- ting edge and add another coat,” he continues. “This adds up to several hours of downtime for our pressroom. The tool quality coming directly out of the V33i machines has limited the amount of handwork, reducing the like- lihood of human error and decreasing
YSM is a world leader in producing vertislides for bending, stamping, and forming of strip, wire, and tubing. YSM offers mechanical, hybrid, and fully CNC vertislides, which are high speed, cost effective, and allow material savings over traditional progressive die stamping.
Michael Shapiro | mshapiro@gibraltar8.com | 847-383-5442
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28 MetalForming/July 2017
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