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Mastering processes: Hard machining, high surface quality and the saving of grinding operations

These are just three of the advantages that hard machining with a geometrically defined cutting edge can bring to the user. With a high level of know-how in tool technology, Paul Horn GmbH offers numerous tool solutions to economically machine steels harder than 56 HRC.

Mastering processes: Hard machining, high surface quality and the saving of grinding operations
For hard turning and grooving, Horn relies on the cutting material CBN.

The cutting material CBN has proven itself suitable for grooving operations. In addition to CBN substrates, solid carbide cutters with special high-performance coatings are also used for milling.

CBN (cubic boron nitride) is the second hardest known material on earth after diamond. Tools made of CBN wear much more slowly than other cutting materials when used appropriately. On one hand, this makes it possible to achieve higher shape and dimensional accuracy, and on the other hand, hard materials (steel up to 70 HRC) can be machined reliably. There are no different grades of CBN. Differentiation is made by the CBN volume fraction, the fillers, the grain size and the ceramic/metallic binder phase (cobalt/nickel). This results in different CBN substrates. Numerous tool systems from Horn can be equipped with the cutting material CBN. In most cases, these are tools specially adapted to the respective application. However, Horn also offers standard tools equipped with this very hard cutting material.


Mastering processes: Hard machining, high surface quality and the saving of grinding operations
In hard milling, solid carbide end mills with a special coating demonstrate high milling performance.

Hard machining with CBN cutting materials is usually done dry. This is possible because the cutting material has high heat resistance and the high temperature within the chip formation zone has a positive effect. An insufficient supply of coolant or interruptions in cutting lead to high, thermally induced stresses in the structure of the insert. This can lead to cracks in the structure and thus possibly destroy the insert. During hard machining, the steel in the shear zone undergoes intense heating and is thus softened. Most of the heat generated in the shear zone is dissipated via the chip and not transmitted into the workpiece.

This means that there is no thermal influence on the insert edge in the process. While carbide suffers a massive loss of hardness at around 800 degrees Celsius, the hardness of CBN remains almost unchanged even at up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. Another important aspect is the chemical resistance, especially at the prevailing temperatures.

Numerous advantages
Hard machining with a geometrically defined cutting edge in combination with CBN has numerous advantages over grinding . High metal removal rates are possible with this process, which results in shorter machining times. Conventional machines may be used. This offers the possibility of complete machining of the component. Even complex contours can be easily produced on a lathe. With grinding, on the other hand, the wheels have to be elaborately profiled. The high surface quality that can be achieved with hard turning also saves on further grinding operations.


Mastering processes: Hard machining, high surface quality and the saving of grinding operations
Numerous Horn tooling systems, such as Supermini , can be equipped with the extremely hard cutting material CBN.

For milling hardened steels with solid carbide end mills, Horn developed a special milling cutter programme for the DS milling system. A special geometry ensures high milling performance from 50 to 70 HRC. In conjunction with the special TS3E coating, the tools offer long tool life due to the high maximum operating temperature. HORN has acquired a high level of expertise in the coating of precision tools. Horn engineers are constantly researching and developing new and existing coatings, always with the aim of making them even more efficient. A coating thickness of only a few μm can increase the service life of solid carbide tools by up to 1,000 percent or more.

www.horn-group.com

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