TECHNICAL TIP #34;
COATINGS FOR CUTTING TOOLS:
Our group receives many questions
regarding coating recommendations for different tool types in an infinite
variety of materials. Many of you have also suggested that we cover this
topic in your suggestions of things for us to address. We are preparing
some future specific tips to cover this exact topic. As a preface to those
tips, we would like you to understand a couple of important fundamental things
regarding high performance coatings.
1. All seemingly “alike” coatings are
not alike: The performance of a TiN/TiCN/TiAlN coated tool from one coatings
vendor may perform significantly different from the TiN/TiCN/TiAlN provided by
another. Our independent tests of tools from the same lot and coated by
different vendors, including ourselves, revealed a performance spread of 10X
when tested in identical test conditions. In other words, in extreme
cases, a drill coating from one vendor may yield 300 holes while another’s
coating will yield 3,000 holes! Consistency day to day and month to month
performance is also critical for predictable results.
2. Coatings
development is continuous: The process itself is constantly evaluated and
improved yielding both higher productivity, changes in which coatings we
recommend for which tools and workpiece material and consistency. About
every quarter, we receive updates from our R&D department for updated
recommendations as well as changes in both SFM and IPR.
3. Surface feet
recommendations are vital: To achieve ANY benefit from HP coatings, they must be
run at significantly higher speeds. If coated tools are run with bright
tool parameters they can even be counter-productive. Follow the
manufacturers recommended starting points (which are typically conservative) and
work upward from there.
You may be assured that any Kennametal-Greenfield
IPG coated tool will set the standard for the highest possible performance
available in the marketplace.
Tips concerning specific recommendations will follow soon in future tips!
If you suggest a topic for a future tip, and we use it, we will send you a
souvenir from the Masters Golf Tournament. To submit a topic or be removed
from the list, e-mail mailto:don.dejarnette@gfii.com
You
can reach Kennametal-Greenfield Technical Support by phone at
1-888-GFI-TOOL, by fax at 1-888-GFI-FAXX or e-mail at
mailto:tech.support@gfii.com