oughing and finishing
oughing and finishing tools that go beyond the diameter of solid carbide tools,” says Velilla. The Best Solution But this was also the basis on which Velilla presented the powRgrip holders from REGO-FIX in direct comparison with shrink-fit and hydraulic chucks. So Pleguezuelos could also select the best system for him here. Although Mold-Tecnic generally manufactures small parts, the contours were not a criterion in the decision: “We always have space when machining; there are no tight walls or large depths that we have to manage.” Because small parts are finished with the usual projecting lengths, only one thing remained to be decided for selecting the appropriate toolholder: which system is more durable, precise, and leads to lower costs? Not the investment costs, it should be noted, but those over the entire service life. “If you invest in the powRgrip system, you have no further costs throughout the entire usage period. Even with a long service life and consistently high precision,” assesses Velilla. “In addition, for the lifetime of the small solid carbide cutters deployed at Mold-Tecnic, the concentricity accuracy of the holders and their good damping properties are of great benefit.” In order for these properties to win him over, Pleguezuelos conducted a series of tests. “Because inaccuracies in concentricity of 0.01 mm are a problem for us,” he explains. “We also use Japanese collets and hydraulic holders here, which, over time, can lead to deviations. The tests with powRgrip, on the other hand, clearly demonstrated: it is the best solution for us. And accuracy is ensured even after umpteen clamping cycles.” 95 Percent Relief This accuracy has even had a personal impact for Pleguezuelos: “I can sleep more peacefully at night,” he grins. “Our machines run in the night without human intervention. Thanks to powRgrip, I know that the parts will be exactly as we need them the next morning.” But in terms of accuracy, another point comes into play: “In the past, we had to measure all parts in the machine in order to be able to ensure the required accuracy. We save this time today. We no longer have to measure any parts that have a tolerance of 0.1 mm.” Savings that are passed immediately onto the tool side. Because here, Pleguezuelos hardly has to measure the concentricity any more. “Only if the tolerance of a part is less than ten micrometers,” he says. “But in 95 percent of cases, we don’t have to any more. This saving is enormous.” Mold_Tecnic_Anwenderbericht_EN Page 3 of 7
The main application areas for powRgrip at Mold-Tecnic today are the roughing of the parts before hardening and subsequent finishing. The final contours are therefore manufactured both by milling and eroding. Mold-Tecnic also manufactures the electrodes themselves – which, at Mold-Tecnic, are made exclusively of copper – with powRgrip. In the solid carbide area, finishing is conducted with cutters from 0.4 to 6 mm in diameter. During roughing, you move up to 20 mm in terms of diameter range. In the process, PG colletholders are used with BT30 and BT40 interfaces; standard designs up to PG25 are used as collets. For clamping the tools, the manual design PGC 2506 with hand pump is used at Mold-Tecnic. “It is simple to use and there is no risk to the operator,” says Pleguezuelos. “Given that we operate cleanly, we have a guarantee of lasting precision on the component. This was a problem with other holders, but it has now been solved.” Fundamental Component Today, Pleguezuelos has high stability in his manufacturing processes. An important guarantor of this is the powRgrip system with which he covers the bulk of his applications. If he is presented with new challenges due to a change in the range of parts, Velilla is his direct contact. In any case, both continue to work on improving the efficiency of the machining processes at Mold-Tecnic. Against the backdrop that day-today business here is now more than 90 percent covered by the REGO-FIX range, they are also preparing possible technology changes together. Specifically, this applies to the five-axis machine, which Mold-Tecnic is planning to purchase. In the process chain from the spindle to the component, powRgrip will therefore once again be a central theme. Quote “I sleep more peacefully at night because I trust powRgrip” Captions Anwenderbericht_REGO-FIX_Mold-Tecnic_1.jpg Working together since before the founding of Mold-Tecnic: Rubén Pleguezuelos (left) and Oscar Velilla (image: REGO-FIX) Mold_Tecnic_Anwenderbericht_EN Page 4 of 7
