Star Rapid, a global rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and low-volume manufacturer, partnered with Guhring Inc., a German manufacturer of carbide and PCD cutting tools, such as drills, reamers, taps and mills, for the machining industry. Through this partnership, Star Rapid will implement a new custom tool management and computerized tracking system. In addition, Guhring will provide full-time onsite technical support and regrinding expertise. These advantages will allow Star Rapid to further elevate its CNC and rapid prototyping services.
“At Star Rapid we are never complacent when it comes to high speed and quality, and are always looking for new strategies to increase these aspects of our service,” said Gordon Styles, president and CEO of Star Rapid. “The partnership we have developed with Guhring allows us to gain a greater competitive edge to meet the growing demands of our global customers.”
Star Rapid will now use Guhring’s Custom Tool Management System which provides tool storage, inventory control and real-time monitoring of tool consumption. This system creates a more efficient work flow through improved tool tracking and allows for more precise tool ordering based on anticipated future usage. Guhring’s family of cutting tools also have proprietary thin-film, vacuum deposited coatings. This coating technology extends cutting tool life and performance by protecting against the high temperatures, friction, vibration and chip adhesion associated with everyday use.
In addition to being Star Rapid’s vendor for new tools, Guhring will also now supervise sharpening and regrinding of the company’s tools that are currently in use. With Guhring’s expert understanding of the metallurgy and the complex geometry of each end mill or cutting insert, they can ensure that these sophisticated tools are in peak condition and able to hold precise tolerances for excellent finished parts. Star Rapid’s machinists will also work with Guhring’s onsite technical support to optimize the “speeds and feeds” for every cutter, reducing total time and cost while increasing output.
“It’s rare to work with such a forward-thinking customer,” said Dr. Steffen Lang, head of Guhring's service department. “With the measures that have been put in place, Star Rapid will be able to ensure that its cutting services are running as efficiently as possible and creating parts that are of optimal quality.”
Related Glossary Terms
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- polycrystalline diamond ( PCD)
polycrystalline diamond ( PCD)
Cutting tool material consisting of natural or synthetic diamond crystals bonded together under high pressure at elevated temperatures. PCD is available as a tip brazed to a carbide insert carrier. Used for machining nonferrous alloys and nonmetallic materials at high cutting speeds.
