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The new CSC (Curve Segment Cutting) CurveMax milling cutters from tool manufacturer Inovatools not only reduce processing times for finishing complex free-form surfaces in tool and mold construction, turbine blade production, and complex component geometries in general machine engineering, but also enhance surface quality compared with the full-radius mills previously used for these tasks.
CSC CurveMax milling cutters are available in a conical or tangential design. The four-edged cutter from Inovatools is ideal for finishing applications.
Tobias Eckerle, product manager at Inovatools, explains: “The CNC strategy is a prime example of how we’ve combined the latest high-performance CAM software with powerful processing centers and innovative new tooling to develop pioneering new cutting techniques.”
The new CurveMax milling cutters from Inovatools feature special geometries to permit larger path distances and line jumps during pre-finishing and finishing. The working radius is larger than that of a traditional full-radius mill, yet the tool still has the same diameter. The new process increases surface quality and significantly shortens processing times.
Eckerle continues: “Powerful processing machines can calculate the optimum path for our new CurveMax tools to make maximum use of our unique tool geometry. As well as enhanced surface quality and shorter production times, our CurveMax milling cutters significantly boost productivity; at some point in the future, they will completely replace traditional full-radius mills.”
Related Glossary Terms
- centers
centers
Cone-shaped pins that support a workpiece by one or two ends during machining. The centers fit into holes drilled in the workpiece ends. Centers that turn with the workpiece are called “live” centers; those that do not are called “dead” centers.
- 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.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- 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.
