In the aerospace industry, especially when it comes to commercial aircraft manufacturing, speed is critical because the faster parts are machined, the more planes are produced. So, if these manufacturers know of a tool holding system that allows them to triple their feed rate for some parts and materials, it goes without saying they will immediately implement it into their operations. The REGO-FIX PowRgrip® (PG) is just such a system.
High speed machining is often required to machine the exotic materials and super alloys used in today’s aerospace part designs. Spindle speeds approaching 10,000 rpm with strong, high-torque rotational forces are needed to machine those materials effectively with the required precision while maintaining cost-effective production. However, those speeds can quickly cause chatter and vibration that lead to poor surface finishes at best and possible workpiece and/or machine damage in a worst-case scenario.
Any downtime for machine repair, tool changeovers due to excessive tool wear or reduction in cycle times to compensate for vibration directly affects operational costs and cost per part. Tool holding stability and balance, therefore, are critical to the world of high-speed, high-torque aerospace machining.
With a total system runout TIR 3mm at 3 X D, the powRgrip toolholding system provides tighter tool holding for finer surface finishes while providing easier setups even in difficult applications such as composites, various material stack-ups and splicing. Changeouts are fast, too.
The system uses a table-top unit with press-fit technology to apply up to nine tons of clamping pressure for an industry-leading 1,100 Nm clamping torque rating in 10 seconds or less. Using the powRgrip system is as easy as inserting the tool into the collet, placing the collet into the toolholder, putting the assembly into the table-top unit and pressing the “Press In” button. Additionally, there is no tool setting heat, chemicals or fumes associated with the powRgrip system for total operator safety. Tools can be handled as soon as they’re loaded.
For aggressive machining with big, long cutters the risks of vibration, runout and pullout are even more severe. For cutters up to 40 mm (1.500’’) in diameter, the new REGO-FIX PG48 holder provides the same runout specifications along with a length pre-adjustment repeat accuracy of less than 10 mm (0.0004’’). Additionally, PG48 holders use special cap nuts from the REGO-FIX secuRgrip tool locking system that virtually eliminates cutter pullout when using large-diameter tools on high-performance machining operations. The PG48 holders also use a bigger mounting unit that exerts 15 tons of tool clamping force.
REGO-FIX PG is helping aerospace manufacturers across the country overcome the challenges of high-speed, high-performance machining. With it, those manufacturers maintain precision and critical surface finishes, extend tool life, minimize tool runout, eliminate pullout and shorten cycle times for productive part processing.
REGO-FIX offers a free test and trial of a PG system. A standard trial generally runs three to four weeks and does not obligate shops to purchase. Click here to learn more and apply for your free REGO-FIX PG test to see firsthand how a PG system will improve your high-rpm and high-torque aerospace machining.