Machining open pockets
Mould inserts also have machining tasks that are required for casting or various attachment parts. Users are increasingly machining open pockets (circumferential machining) using trochoidal milling. This machining method helps to optimise machining times and to extend tool life.
Tool overview for the following machining steps:
Roughing
Roughing operations are responsible for most of the chip removal capacity. Special milling strategies such as high-feed machining or trochoidal milling can reduce machining time and thus increase profitability. In addition to tools with indexable inserts and solid carbide milling cutters, high-performance milling cutters with special roughing geometry are used.
Residual material roughing
After roughing, in a second machining step, users machine the residual material, especially in corners and cavities, removing material as constantly as possible. Usually tools with corner radius or high-feed milling cutters are used. In some cases a ball cutter can be used to remove the residual material in corners.
Pre-finishing
If there are high demands on dimensional accuracy and surface finish, semi-finishing is recommended before finishing. With pre-finishing, machining approaches the final mould profile. The aim is to obtain a residual material that is as constant as possible in order to enable fast finishing with high demands on the surface quality. The stock removal after roughing is approx. 0.5-1 mm for hardened materials and 0.03-0.5 mm for soft materials. After pre-finishing, the constant stock removal is 0.05-0.1 mm for hardened materials or 0.1-0.3 mm for soft materials.
Schlichten
Die Schlichtbearbeitung trägt das verbleibende Aufmaß ab, um die finale Form zu erreichen. Nach der Vorschlichtbearbeitung beträgt dies 0,05-0,1 mm bei gehärteten Materialien beziehungsweise 0,1-0,3 mm bei weichen Materialien. Kugel- und/oder Eckradiusfräser sind das Mittel der Wahl, abhängig von den finalen Konturen des Werkstücks.
Restmaterial schlichten
Die immer komplexeren Eigenschaften der herzustellenden Formen erfordern nach der Schlichtbearbeitung ein Fräsen des Restmaterials, hauptsächlich in den Ecken. Hierfür kommen in der Regel Kugelfräser aus Vollhartmetall zum Einsatz.
