Latest developments in turning

The main developments in turning in recent years have everything to do with automation. People in the workshop want a lathe that can work autonomously as well and for as long as possible and with which it is easy to switch between series. Being able to work safely and efficiently is also paramount in many workshops. The new products in the Hoffmann Group's orange bible have everything to do with those evolutions. Carlos Cappelle, technical specialist at Hoffmann Group, explains to us what the main novelties are and how they make Hoffmann Group more than ever a total supplier for machinists.

We begin with perhaps the most revolutionary step forward: the new material construction of the turn change plates. Starting in August, these will be available in an updated quality. This is based on three technological improvements. "First, the orientation of the crystal structure in the substrate has been improved. This results in better hardness and higher heat resistance. Second, the bonding layer between the coatings has been modified for better adhesion. Finally, a special surface treatment reduces the risk of internal stress and pressure. As a result, cracks are less likely to appear in the coating."

Up to ten times longer tool life 

Three wins, in other words. Hoffmann has been testing this new quality extensively for two years now. Not only at the Munich headquarters, but also, among other places, at the Hoffmann Experience Center in Borne. "A total of 14 tons have already been machined. The results are really striking. For certain material types, conditions and cutting parameters, the tool life was even ten times longer compared to the previous generation. This really puts us among the big boys in terms of technical results," Cappelle says proudly. "We were already able to do that in milling and with clamping technology. With turning, we have now also caught up. Customers who would like to experience what it delivers in their production, by the way, can already request test material.And ordering is as simple as ever: the part number is the same, it just says '-2'."

Reducing downtime

Also thanks to the cooling system in the Garant eco holders, Hoffmann Group is working to increase tool life. "The more efficient the cooling, the longer tools last, the less need to be changed. The customer can now choose chisels and chisel holders that bring the coolant to the most crucial places: top and bottom of the cut. In doing so, we increase process reliability by 10 to 15%," Cappelle estimates. "For smoother changing between series, the VDI toolholders received another upgrade. There is classically very little space in the turret to loosen the three screws holding the chisel. People either started using shortened allen keys, or they removed the entire holder from the turret. That took time. Thanks to a new wedge clamping system with the control at the front, this can now be done very easily and quickly. In addition, with a simple turn of the screw, the user can choose between internal or external cooling or both."

Ecosystem

But at Hoffmann, they are pulling it broader than just cutting tools and tool holders. "We profile ourselves as a total supplier and with these developments we answer this perfectly. With the help of our machining technicians, who all have a practical experience of at least fifteen years at the machines, we can support our customers optimally. Everything a machinist needs, from tools to workshop equipment, from technical advice to even a robot for automatic loading and unloading, he can find with us. The Hoffmann Group ecosystem," sums up Cappelle. "Add to this all the advantages that Hoffmann Group customers are used to: a competitive price, high delivery reliability, enormous ordering convenience (even the databases of partners Simtek, Iscar and Kyocera are now linked to the e-shop) and you can go in the direction of the customer with a very strong offer." 

Safe workplace

With the addition of an oil and mist separator from Reven on the machine, Hoffmann Group now completes the ecosystem. That extractor Cappelle likes to put another spotlight on. "Because it is a very sustainable solution. Adequate extraction is increasingly important. If you see smoke hanging above a machine in the workshop, then you know it's also in your lungs and you don't want that. The extraction offered by Hoffmann Group works on the basis of X-cyclone technology, instead of classical filters to separate the oil. We also know those from Dyson, for example. You no longer have to incur costs to change filters or dispose of oil. In Germany, it has been a great success. Recently, the solution is also available in the Netherlands."