Hofmann & Vratny is introducing its new EXN1 series for machining aluminium, plastics and other non-ferrous metals. ‘EX’ stands for expert, the company’s highest quality level, while ‘N’ is the ISO code for non-ferrous materials and ‘1’ stands for version 1.0.

In addition to extensive tests in the company’s own research and development department, wide ranging field tests have confirmed the performance of the EXN1 series, supported by positive feedback from enthusiastic customers in sectors such as food, automotive and aerospace.

H&V’s test phase showed that it is possible to reduce production times significantly by switching to the EXN1 series. With the use of the new Performmaker (end mill), one customer was able to reduce machining time per component by more than 50 % thanks to the application of larger depths of cut and higher feed rates.

During the development of the new series, H&V’s focus was on increasing tool life, surface quality and process reliability. The milling cutters feature a special cutting-edge preparation with defined edge rounding that ensures homogeneous cutting edges throughout, even cutting force distribution and – as a result – reduced wear. The manufacturing tolerances for radius and concentricity are now 0.003 to 0.005 mm, ensuring the best possible level of accuracy.

New high-performance geometry with refined grinding pattern and tuned micro cutting edge ensures a sharp cut and high chip removal. Furthermore, the milling cutters take advantage of a fine-grain substrate specially designed for machining non-ferrous materials. This interaction of geometry and substrate results in high performance, reports H&V.

The portfolio includes 35 article groups (645 individual articles) consisting of end mills, roughing mills, finishing mills, trochoidal mills, single-flute mills, torus mills, full radius mills and micro-milling cutters with diameters ranging from 0.1 to 20 mm.

For further information
www.hofmann-vratny.de/en

By monitoring the vibration of tooling and machinery set ups, manufacturers can avoid unexpected machining trouble and improve accuracy and output quality. To achieve this outcome, vibration analysis has four key principles – time domain, frequency domain, joint domain and modal analysis – each of which provides specific information on the working conditions and features of the vibrating part.

Time domain, for instance, measures the amplitude of a vibration signal. Alone, this can make it difficult to identify where the amplitudes happen and, subsequently, isolate and calibrate machines appropriately. This is where frequency domain comes in, looking at each of these signals – or waves – at set points to understand how its amplitude changes at distinct frequencies. As many vibration-related challenges occur at specific frequencies, its cause can be better identified based on variations in amplitude at certain frequencies, making these two principles of vibration analysis essential – both of which are paired through the third principle, joint domain.

Finally, modal analysis takes into account the natural frequencies of vibration based on the structural materials of the set up, the machine and the workpiece.

Now, with MSC MillMax – the milling parameter selection tool from MSC – it is possible to measure vibration frequencies and optimise setups in a matter of minutes. By equipping operators with accurate insight, machine shops can reduce set up and cycle times, enhance efficiency and elevate output quality.

MSC MillMax measures the frequency of each tool and, in almost real-time, displays the results on a digital dashboard which calculates the precise, stable speed, feed rate and width and depth of cut to maximise performance. Alongside this, the system determines the best speeds for the machine shop’s required levels of surface finish and accuracy.

For further information
www.mscdirect.co.uk/MSCMillMax