Lead Angle: Rise of the soft machine

In the machine shop of the future, a digital thread will weave through the pre-, in- and post-machining processes.

Premachining processes include design, operations planning and production logistics. After machining, part verification and outbound logistics enter the picture.

This coming scenario was a central theme at the Global Press Preview Event held March 28-30 at the Sandvik Coromant Center in Sandviken, Sweden. In his presentation, Magnus Ekbäck, AB Sandvik Coromant’s vice president of business development and acting head of digital machining, said, as a result of this digital thread, the amount of tool software will increase three to four times by 2025. Meanwhile, the amount of tool hardware will remain about the same.

One example of this software is Sandvik Coromant’s PrimeTurning code generator. PrimeTurning is compatible with various CNC systems and creates the ISO programming code and techniques for the toolmaker’s new turning methodology. According to the company, the PrimeTurning methodology enables parts manufacturers to perform longitudinal facing and profiling (forward and back), as well as conventional turning (from part end to chuck), with one tool.

More information is available by using the search in the upper left portion of this website and searching for PrimeTurning. (Or just click here.) However, I’d like to share the results of one application. After switching from conventional turning to the new methodology, an Italian manufacturer reduced the cycle time for machining a shaft from 2.42 to 1.36 minutes. It also extended the tool life per edge from four pieces to nine. The competitor’s conventional insert ran at a cutting speed of 150 m/min. (492 sfm), a feed rate of 0.3 mm/rev. (0.012 ipr) and a DOC of 2mm (0.079″). By contrast, the CoroTurn Prime B-type roughing insert (A-type is for finishing) ran at double the cutting speed and DOC, and a feed of 0.8 mm/rev. (0.032 ipr) when turning forged, ASTM B564 nickel alloy with a hardness of 250 HB on a Doosan Puma 3100M horizontal machining center.