New machine tool erodes cycle time

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END USER: Royce/Ayr Cutting Tools Inc., (800) 959-5641, www.royceayr.com. CHALLENGE: Increase PCD cutting tool manufacturing capacity, flexibility and capabilities. SOLUTION: A machine tool that combines rotary erosion and grinding. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Vollmer of America Corp., (412) 278-0655, www.vollmer-us.com

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Early adopters of manufacturing equipment run the risk of being exposed to problems and buggy annoyances, but Royce//Ayr Cutting Tools Inc. encountered only satisfaction after it installed the first QXD200 in Canada, according to Josh Puklicz, manufacturing manager for the Cambridge, Ontario-based toolmaker. The machine tool from Vollmer of America Corp., Carnegie, Pa., has six programmable axes and combines rotary erosion and grinding to process helical cutting tools, such as routers and drills, in one setup.

Courtesy of Vollmer

Royce//Ayr Cutting Tools uses the Vollmer QXD200 machine to produce and service PCD tools.

Royce//Ayr primarily produces HSS, carbide and PCD cutting tools for woodworking, including saw blades that it makes from scratch by initially laser cutting metal plate, but has started selling more PCD cutters for manufacturing nonferrous automotive parts and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic components. “This machine was purchased with the intent of continually going in that direction, and it allows us more flexibility to do that,” Puklicz said. He noted that Royce//Ayr uses the machine to produce tools from 2mm to 250mm in diameter.