The quest for lighter vehicles, which emit fewer CO2 emissions, is a driving force behind the automotive industry’s continuous innovation. The challenge lies in producing weight-efficient components while utilizing both lighter metals like aluminum and heavier materials such as stainless steels, cast iron, and forged steel. Sandvik Coromant, a pioneer in cutting tool solutions, presents CoroMill® MF80, a game-changing tool designed to enhance shoulder milling and face milling, enabling manufacturers to achieve cost-effective machining with a “light touch.”
Sangram Dash, Product Application Manager for Indexable Milling at Sandvik Coromant, elucidates the significance of a “light touch” in the machining process. As automakers aim to reduce vehicle weight, machining heavier components to tighter tolerances and complex designs is essential. The CoroMill® MF80 plays a crucial role in achieving these goals, offering increased tool-life and productivity advantages.
The concept of lightweighting, central to fuel efficiency and handling improvements, involves creating vehicles that are less heavy by utilizing advanced materials. Sandvik Coromant recognizes that the pursuit of lightweighting is not solely about choosing the lightest material; rather, it requires transforming traditionally “heavy” metals like forged steels and cast iron into weight-efficient alternatives through intricate designs.
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The challenge faced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is to manufacture complex components efficiently without compromising on quality or adhering to emissions regulations. This is where CoroMill® MF80 steps in, offering a reliable, accurate, and productive tooling solution. By opting for cutting tools with a 90-degree lead angle, manufacturers can achieve optimal performance when machining complex, near-net shaped parts from tough materials.
Shoulder milling, a fundamental yet versatile milling application, is a crucial technique in producing various components and removing substantial amounts of material quickly. CoroMill® MF80, a revolutionary shoulder milling tool, is designed for automotive milling applications in ISO-K and ISO-P materials. The tool’s eight cutting edges, chip protection, and optimized micro geometry ensure superior security and efficient chip evacuation. Additionally, the incline of the cutting edge facilitates a smooth cutting action, making it ideal for thin-walled components and machine setups with limited stability.
The innovative design of CoroMill® MF80 results in a 40% lighter cutter body with shim protection, ensuring secure and stable machining. The 89.5-degree approach angle allows the multi-edge cutter to work closely to the fixture, reducing axial forces and enabling improved milling on thin-wall components. Performance tests have demonstrated the tool’s superiority, with significant increases in tool life and productivity compared to competing mills.
The introduction of CoroMill® MF80 showcases Sandvik Coromant’s commitment to providing advanced cutting tool solutions that align with the automotive industry’s pursuit of weight efficiency and reduced emissions. As manufacturers navigate the challenge of meeting stringent CO2 emission regulations while maintaining cost-effectiveness, CoroMill® MF80 emerges as a key enabler of innovation and progress in the field of automotive manufacturing.
