New High Dynamic Turning Tooling Provides Variable Angle of Approach

Press Release Summary:

• Features FreeTurn process that creates a degree of freedom of 360° without the risk of collision
• Offers operations such as roughing, finishing, contour turning, face turning and longitudinal turning
• Tool holder with slim shank and axial concept that optimizes the direction of the cutting forces into the spindle

Original Press Release:

The 360º “Revolution� in Turning

High Dynamic Turning with the FreeTurn standard range tooling from CERATIZIT is now available

In September 2019, CERATIZIT launched the first standard range of products for its innovative High Dynamic Turning (HDT) with FreeTurn process at EMO. The tool manufacturer has taken the next step in revolutionizing turning. CERATIZIT was joined by leading machine tool and control system manufacturers as well as providers of CAD/CAM systems. This new development is now available and will be showcased to the North American market at IMTS in Chicago in September, 2020.

High Dynamic Turning (HDT) from CERATIZIT has turned conventional turning methods into a new direction. This new turning technology, combined with the company’s dynamic FreeTurn tooling, means that it is now possible to carry out all traditional turning operations such as roughing, finishing, contour turning, face turning and longitudinal turning with just one tool. HDT with FreeTurn represents a completely new method of turning.

For 100 years, new cutting materials, new chip breakers and a few new tooling systems have been invented to optimize turning. However, the actual basic turning process has remained essentially unchanged. Even today, a contour is created with an indexable insert at a fixed angle to the workpiece. This method has not changed, even with the addition of controllable axes in modern turning-milling centers, machines which are intended to serve one purpose, namely, to manufacture a component as completely as possible within a single machine work envelope. CERATIZIT has taken advantage of the features on these turning-milling centers and developed the High Dynamic Turning (HDT) System. The simple idea behind HDT: the tool approach and point of contact in the machine can be varied as opposed to conventional turning with a fixed tool.

Utilizing the milling spindle for 360° degrees of freedom
Instead of the classic, static position of the insert in the holder, the milling spindle is now used to produce the corresponding approach angle to the workpiece. The use of the spindle drive, in conjunction with the slim, axial tool design of the FreeTurn tools by CERATIZIT, creates a degree of freedom of 360° without the risk of collision, thus providing unprecedented flexibility. Due to the rotation around its own tool axis, the cutting edge change can be done without interrupting the cutting process. Additionally, the angle of approach is freely variable at any time and can even be changed while cutting. This not only enables flexible machining of almost every workpiece contour, but also optimum chip breaking, higher feed rates and an increase in tool life. Depending on the machine capabilities, the technology can be used functionally in all areas of turning operations. The approach of the milling spindle on the Y/Z axis on turning-milling centers is widespread. As a result, further possibilities can be achieved with HDT that seemed previously unachievable. For example, cutting from above and below is possible. Depending on the machining area and workpiece size, this freedom can be an important factor in production.

FreeTurn inserts with more than 2 variable features
In the future of HDT, the static turning tools of the past will be replaced by dynamic tools. One such dynamic tooling solution is FreeTurn by CERATIZIT. The defining characteristic of FreeTurn tooling is its simple structure. The tool holder, together with its slim shank and axial concept which optimizes the direction of the cutting forces into the spindle, form a stable unit. At the cutting end, there is a multi-sided insert, which is simply screwed in place. The principle is quite simple: the patented FreeTurn insert can consist of several cutting edges with different properties. This allows for different angle points, corner radii or chip breakers - even different coatings and cutting materials are conceivable. The tool can therefore be adapted to the machining requirements, offering the further advantage of replacing several tools on a job. This, in turn, leads to significant savings in tool change times, tool magazine loadouts and tool costs overall. The result is making components with highly complex contours without limitation, using only one FreeTurn tool. This flexibility ensures complex component holding can be quickly and effectively adapted to the new machining situation.

The future of turning starts now!
With High Dynamic Turning and the FreeTurn tools by CERATIZIT, a new era in turning has arrived. In terms of efficiency, HDT exceeds the conventional turning process many times over and, as the experts from CERATIZIT are demonstrating daily, will replace the classic approaches, sooner than later. This new turning technology will continue to open and reveal possibilities in the future to make turning processes faster and more precise. The future of turning will rapidly change with HDT and CERATIZIT developers are looking forward to supporting their customers along this journey, according to a company spokesman.

Saving tools and machining time
In one recent application at Spanish wheel manufacturer ROTOR, an indexable insert with two different cutting edges was used to manufacture an aluminium wheel hub. One cutting edge is used for roughing (1500 rpm, ap = 2 mm, f = 0.4 mm/rev) and one for finishing (2000 rpm, ap < 1 mm, f = 0.25 mm/rev). When using HDT, the approach angle can be changed during machining, making it possible to machine all contours in just one setup, even undercuts that would not be possible with a standard approach angle of 90°. The tool is also able to cut in both directions, saving time-consuming rapid moves and increasing efficiency. In comparison to the turning process normally used by ROTOR for wheel hubs, this machining process used four fewer tools and reduced the machining time by 30%.

The first HDT solutions
Since CERATIZIT presented High Dynamic Turning and FreeTurn tools, a number of major machine and control system manufacturers have begun developing solutions for an automated process. CAD/CAM providers have also begun to develop solutions for programming HDT-specific program sequences. A number of promising CAM programs were on display at EMO 2019, including Open Mind and Siemens NX. CERATIZIT HDT and FreeTurn tools also generated considerable interest during the live presentations from machine manufacturers DMG Mori and Mazak.

FreeTurn is ready now!
From the beginning of the HDT process, CERATIZIT has relied on an open source model, supplying all interested parties with the relevant information to allow them to help develop their HDT turning process.

Meanwhile, the tool manufacturer devoted its attention to its core business, developing a standard range of FreeTurn tools. Four indexable insert geometries were initially launched. This range included indexable inserts for machining steel/stainless steel (2x roughing and 1x finishing, 3x roughing, symmetrical) and for aluminium (3 cutting edges, symmetrical). This initial range covers a number of applications. The holders are available with a range of different overhang lengths for each size and are available for the HSK-T and PSC machine interfaces. CERATIZIT is making this insert package available to interested parties on a test program basis. Please contact the company for details. 

More information about High Dynamic Turning and FreeTurn tools from CERATIZIT can be found at www.ceratizit.com/hdt

Product videos: 
Conventional vs. HDT
The Revolution in Turning
Explanation of process and tool features
Technical Experts and Developers

For specific requests regarding the HDT – FreeTurn technology we have a centralized email address. 
FreeTurn@ceratizit.com

CERATIZIT – With passion and a pioneering spirit for carbides
For more than 95 years, CERATIZIT has been a pioneer in the field of ambitious hard material solutions for machining and protection against wear. The private company, with registered offices in Mamer, Luxembourg, develops and produces highly specialised cutting tools, indexable inserts, rods made from hard materials and wear parts. The CERATIZIT Group is the global market leader in various application segments for wear parts and successfully develops new carbide, cermet and ceramic grades, for example in woodworking and stone working.

With more than 8,000 employees at over 30 production facilities worldwide and a sales network with over 50 branches, the Group is a global player in the carbide sector. The international network also includes the subsidiary Stadler Metalle, as well as the CB-CERATIZIT joint venture. The technology leader continuously invests in research and development and holds over 1,000 patents. Innovative carbide solutions from CERATIZIT are used in the mechanical engineering and tool making sectors, in the automotive industry, the aviation and aerospace industry, the oil and gas industry and in the medical industry.