Cutting tool data provider and digital assistant

Building and using e-catalogues are a key to staying updated to ISO standards.

A company catalogue is the best source for becoming acquainted with the company products. The term ‘catalogue’ derives from the ancient Greek word ‘list’. Originally, a product catalogue was a printed document listing all the products a company offered. Later, the catalogue incorporated more reference data, general recommendations for using products, and additional related technical information. In cutting tool manufacturing, these supplements presented the initial cutting conditions, accessories, mounting and regrinding instructions, troubleshooting, and technical information. In electronic versions of the hard copy catalogue, there are of course significantly expanded capabilities, and many more search options. A user-friendly utility software of e-catalogues facilitates optimised product search, filtering functions, visual assets, and reference data. These days, conventional paper catalogues only provide the key dimensions of a cutting tool, an indexable insert, a tool holder, and spare parts and consequently do not offer enough information. This data provided the basis for computer assisted engineering (CAE) systems, assuring a platform for independent data exchange. The global world features more intensive data transfer, and the gathering pace of digital era processes are inevitably leading to substantially increased unified data representation when building digital information for the metalworking industry. An important step in unifying digital information related to cutting tools and tool holders is derived from the ISO 13399 standard. Following the guidelines of this standard ensures data uniformity, makes the digital twins understandable for real and virtual components of manufacturing systems, and supports real-time information exchange between the components. An ISO 13399-compatible CAE system downloads tool data directly from computer-based clouds to provide instantaneous online information. Therefore, meeting the requirements of ISO 13399 is the key feature of an effective cutting tool e-catalogue. The e-catalogue has built-in functions that facilitate the effective processing and filtering of information catered to customer needs. The virtual tool assembly comprises a cutting tool, indexable inserts or exchangeable cutting heads, a tool holder, extensions and reducers which help with pre-machining anti-collision planning. The tool assembly enables the download in a CAE system for virtual machining simulations to optimise cutting strategy, collision checking, improving tool configuration and other procedures for technological machining processes. Notwithstanding, the e-catalogue connects with data sources such as optimal tool selection and access to e-commerce functions. This makes the e-catalogue an inseparable subsystem embedded in a world of information technologies associated with the cutting tool manufacturer. Due to the progress in mobile phone technologies, the cutting tool e-catalogue has advanced, thus providing access to tool information from virtually everywhere and delivering access to virtual tool assemblies. Another undeniable advantage of the e-catalogue, compared to the traditional paper catalogue, is its ease of maintenance. Changes can be made instantaneously online, anytime. By using the e-catalogue, customers can receive an STP file independently with a ‘.p21’ extension that meets the requirements of ISO 13399 standard to transfer data for CAE systems. E-CAT assembly options enable generating digital twins in 3D and 2D formats for all main product lines: milling, hole making, and turning. ISCAR's e-catalogue links to the New ISCAR Tool Advisor (NEOITA), which recommends the best tools for a given application. Alongside the NEOITA app is the Machining Power Calculator that estimates power consumption and cutting forces during machining, the Productive Geometries for finding inserts of alternative cutting geometry, the Grade Optimiser for the quest of equivalent cutting material grades, and the FAQ section with answers on frequently asked questions. Also, various search options facilitate finding tools, inserts, toolholders or accessories according to a designation, a family, a brand name, and more. The ISCAR E-CAT informs the customer about company promotions, provides test reports and other useful data, and is available from the simple-to-use ISCAR WORLD app, a virtual ‘one-stop shop’ for IOS and Android platforms that integrate all ISCAR online apps and interfaces. In metalworking, the cutting tool e-catalogue is firmly rooted as an effective and diversified source of vital information and creative possibilities. Printed catalogues remain in demand as many customers stay avid users of paper catalogues for reasons associated with readily available information, and not relying on internet connectivity. Cutting tool manufacturers continue to provide both product catalogue versions in electronic and printed versions. For this reason, printed catalogues will continue to be available. There is no doubt that the digitisation of metalworking will bring the use of e-catalogues to the forefront of technology while providing additional functional values for the metalworking industries.

iscar.com

Large diameters, tight radii: Tube bending machines for H-P Products

Schwarze-Robitec tube bending machine is customised for a quick tight job.

US automotive supplier H-P Products was experiencing high stress readings due to a major job with tight bending radii of up to 1xD, short cycle times and compatibility with existing tools. The German tube bending machine manufacturer SchwarzeRobitec responded to the complex issue with a powerful CNC 160 E TB MR. The commissioning took place in the middle of the pandemic despite strict regulations. Thanks to short distances between the customer in Ohio and the SchwarzeRobitec branch in Michigan, the job was a success. Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Louisville, Ohio, H-P Products, Inc. manufactures a wide range of tubular products for large diesel engine, fire truck, construction equipment and agricultural equipment industries from air intake systems to exhaust and cooling components to structural components. To bend large tubes in particularly tight radii, the company now relies on a machine from Schwarze-Robitec. With the fully electric CNC 160 E TB MR, H-P Products is replacing another model from the German manufacturer after more than 20 years of continuous service. Schwarze-Robitec designed the CNC 160 E TB MR for two different tool sets, each with two grooves. One of the bending tools bends tubes up to 127mm in diameter at a bending radius of about 1.1xD. The other tool bends tubes up to 101.6mm even at the even tighter radius of 1xD. The tighter the tubes can be bent for the automotive industry, the more compact the engine and exhaust system can be designed. This challenge prompted H-P Products to purchase the new tube bending machine from Schwarze-Robitec. The closer the ratio of tube diameter to bending radius, the higher the load that the tube bending machine must withstand in the process. The Cologne-based expert designs its machines precisely for this demanding 1xD bending: The decisive factor is sufficient rigidity of the entire system as well as the stability of the individual tool components in relation to each other. The CNC 160 E TB MR withstands this exceptionally high stress, even over a long period of use. In addition, H-P Products brought in the requirement to produce parts in a very short time with high repeatability - a typical requirement in the automotive industry, which is focused on short cycle times. The machine achieves this thanks to the intelligent NxG control. The motion sequences of all axes are optimally coordinated during bending, thus minimising the production time per part. It was also important that tools previously used at H-P Products could continue to be used on the new machine. This compatibility and flexible use of the tools is guaranteed by the tube bending expert for the Ohio-based company. Schwarze-Robitec put the large machine into operation in the middle of one of the peak phases of the pandemic, despite worldwide contact and travel restrictions. This was possible because the company has its own branch office in Grand Rapids in the US state of Michigan. While the experts at the headquarters in Cologne provided intensive support for the entire project, from consulting and development to execution, the US team was able to carry out the commissioning on site at the customer's premises in the neighbouring state. In this way, customer support interlocked optimally in a digital way and in person.

schwarze-robitec.com

The CNC 160 E TB MR withstands the exceptionally high stress of 1xD bending, even over a long period of use.