In focus: The axial piston machine

Both axial piston pumps and axial piston motors are meant by axial piston machines. While they are technically identical, they usually perform different tasks in closed and open hydraulic circuits. Both convert hydraulic and mechanical energy. Axial piston machines are used in modern forage harvesters, for example. They are readily used both in such tractors as well as in heavy road and building construction machinery and mining. “Manufacturers of axial piston machines produce them in mid to large series”, says Tobias Stolz, Component Manager for General Machining at MAPAL. A high degree of accuracy is required to machine the units’ individual parts. MAPAL is an expert in combining high quantities and precision. They have thus been able to improve processes considerably and save costs for clients in the fluid power sector. MAPAL also already has all the products in its portfolio required to completely machine the individual components. Thus, the axial piston machine was an obvious choice for MAPAL as a component to focus on. The experts developed a model process, which they have successfully put into practice (with individual adjustments) for clients.

The axial piston machine is made up of the components housing, adjustment unit, port plate housing and cylinder block. When machining the housing made of EN-GJL-250, which provides the unit with protection, the machining of the oil leak countersink is central. For this, MAPAL recommends a modular boring tool, which is particularly economical due to the TTD replaceable head drill and indexable inserts. Milling cutters from the NeoMill range are used to machine the housing’s different surfaces. “This a special feature that we can offer MAPAL customers”, Stolz says, referring to the combination of specially designed custom tools and economical standard tools.
 

Standard tools are used for the most part to machine the adjustment unit made of EN-GJS-400-15, the axial piston machine’s control instrument. MAPAL recommends solid carbide drills from the MEGA-Step-Drill family for the threaded bores. In addition, FixReam reamers and HPR replaceable head reamers are used for the fine machining of various bores.

The third component, the port plate housing, is the axial piston machine’s connection plate and thus the pressure and suction connection to further parts in the hydraulic circuit. It is usually made of EN-GJL-250 or EN-GJS-400-15. Interrupted cuts and partially thin-walled component segments pose challenges during machining. “We machine some of the bearing seats and rotor bores with multi-stage, specially designed boring tools with indexable inserts, thus ensuring high-quality bores even in difficult conditions”, says Stolz. As for the last component, he boasts: “If there is a highlight when it comes to machining axial piston machines, then it definitely has to be the cylinder block.” This is the heart of the axial piston machine and is made either of steel (C45 or 42CrMoS4) or spheroidal cast iron (EN-GJS-500-7 or EN-GJL-400-15). Through the movement of the pistons and the oil this sets in motion, this component performs the machine’s main function. For it to work, the piston bores, amongst other things, often have to be machined with the pressed-in liners and pressure and suction kidneys.
 

„Ein Kunde hatte mit hohen Kosten bei der Herstellung der Zylinderblöcke zu kämpfen“, berichtet Tobias Stolz von einem konkreten Anwendungsfall. Um definierte Oberflächen, die zwischen Rz = 27 und 37 µm liegen müssen, und hohen Qualitäten der Laufbuchsen innerhalb einer Toleranz bezüglich Rundheit, Geradheit und Parallelität von 3 µm sicherzustellen, musste ein hoher Aufwand betrieben werden. Die MAPAL Experten haben gemeinsam mit dem Kunden einen wirtschaftlichen Prozess entwickelt, bei dem er in Summe pro Bauteil auch noch 19 Prozent an Bearbeitungszeit einspart.

Die Druck- beziehungsweise Saugnieren bearbeitet der Kunde beim neu aufgelegten Prozess mit dem Vollhartmetallfräser OptiMill-Uni-Pocket. Dieser egalisiert durch schräges Eintauchen den Bohrprozess. Damit kommt das Zerspanen dieser Ein- und Auslassöffnungen ohne weiteres Werkzeug aus. Einen ähnlichen Vorteil bietet der Stufenbohrer mit Tritan-Drill-Geometrie, der die Kolbenbohrung vorbearbeitet. Die sonst nötige Anspiegelung entfällt. Zudem muss der Bohrungsgrund aufgrund der scharfen Schneiden nicht entgratet werden. Die optimale Qualität vor dem Einpressen der Messingbuchse stellt das mehrstufige MAPAL Feinbohrwerkzeug sicher. Es arbeitet nicht nur hochgenau, sondern ist dank der sechs Schneidkanten der HX-Schneiden auch besonders wirtschaftlich. Allein diese drei Werkzeuge sparen 19 Prozent Zeit im Vergleich zur vorherigen Bearbeitung ein. Und damit zeigt sich einmal mehr: „Wir bieten unseren Kunden wirtschaftliche Prozesslösungen für ihre Herausforderungen bei der Zerspanung – für alle funktionsrelevanten Bauteile im Bereich der Fluidtechnik“, fasst Stolz zusammen.