18.May 2016
Improved surface integrity and part quality for aerospace components
Okuma and 5ME, a leading pioneer in cryogenic machining, are joining forces to educate the machining world on the benefits of using internal Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) instead of coolant during the cutting process. Currently, there are 12 Okuma machine models that can be ordered with 5ME cryogenic machining technology, including vertical machining centres and horizontal machining centres specifically designed for aerospace parts processing. In some instances cryogenic machining is retrofittable.
Cryogenic machining is a game changing metal-cutting technology that increases throughput, quality and tool life while reducing cycle times. It is especially profitable when processing exotic metals commonly used in aerospace part production, such as titanium and inconel. This technology is fairly new to machining and many questions arise when people first consider using cryogenics. Here are a few little known facts about the technology:
- Nitrogen is 78% of the air we breathe and it is safe and easy to use. Liquid nitrogen is quite easy to handle but there is a cold factor involved so safety measures, such as wearing gloves and aprons, should be implemented when handling tools.
- Although fairly new to the machining world, liquid nitrogen has been used in other industries successfully. Flash freezing food has been going on for decades.
- It is environmentally friendly. There are no hazardous fumes or mist from coolant on clothes or in the air, so there are no health risks for operators.
- Chips are much easier to manage without coolant making them sticky and weighing them down. They are dry and lighter making them extremely portable. Additionally, the risk of slips and falls when clearing chips is reduced since there is no oily residue from coolant.
- Cryogenic machining equipment does not have to be permanent on the machine. Hardware can simply be removed from the machine to run through-spindle coolant instead of liquid nitrogen.
- Liquid nitrogen is affordable, competitively priced and readily available from commercial distributors. The typical return on investment on a cryogenic machining kit is 12 months.
Shops can run leaner, cleaner and greener with cryogenics. This video shows cryogenics in action on an Okuma MA-600HII and highlights the many benefits of coolant free machining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_y25rfM-M.
Aerospace manufacturers are welcome to visit Okuma at Farnborough International Airshow (July 11 - 17, 2016) in hall 3/D100 to discuss details.
Visitors to the IMTS trade fair in Chicago (September 12 - 17, 2016) can watch Okuma MU-8000V 5-axis vertical machining centre cutting with cryogenic technology at Okuma booth S-8500.
Germany 
