Mould making--shop managers' report on the benefits of ESC milling of hardened steel

摘要

For a number of tasks, HSC milling ofhardened steel can be an advantageousalternative to EDM. Depending on thespecifics of the given job, moderate tosignificant advantages with respect tothroughput time, costs and quality can beachieved. Three managers of shops withsignificantly differing job portfolios sharetheir related experience. It is a well-known fact that current machining centres and cutting tools make it possible to cut even hardened steel with a high level of efficiency. But will the related advantages really produce a sufficient return on the additional investment? The standard calculation base for such an investment — the complete replacement of an old plant by a new, more efficient one — will rarely be applicable, mainly due to the technical limitations of the milling process, particularly in the case of deep cavities with steep flanks or deep, narrow slots.