News

Release time:2023-05-10　　　　

3D printing, the future of new energy vehicle cutting tools. Kenna Metal has launched 3D printed lightweight boring tools that meet accuracy, roundness, and surface quality requirements.

Adopting proven Kena Metal technology. High precision RIQ reamer blade with KM4X handle structure, maximizing rigidity.

Kenna Metal has developed a 3D printed boring tool specifically designed to meet the growing demand of customers for machining hybrid and electric vehicle components.

New energy vehicle components are usually processed on smaller low-power CNC machining centers, which require lighter tool solutions. Kenna Metal's 3D printed boring tool weighs half the weight of traditional processes, while still meeting the accuracy, roundness, and surface finish requirements of aluminum alloy motor boring.

The diameter of the motor spindle hole is approximately 250 millimeters (9.84 inches) and the length is approximately 400 millimeters (15.74 inches), with a smaller bearing hole at the bottom. Harald Bruetting, the project manager, said that when manufactured using traditional methods, the weight of this type of reamer will exceed 25 kilograms (55 pounds), which is too heavy for existing machine tools or workers operating tools. »

Bruetting and his team turned to additive processing and manufactured a powerful and lightweight indexable tool through 3D printing, equipped with Kenner's mature technology, including high-precision adjustable RIQ hinge blades and a highly rigid KM4X tool handle structure. The tool also has an internal 3D printing cooling channel, which helps to maximize production efficiency and tool life.

Through the use of metal powder layer 3D printing and finite element analysis software, we are able to design and manufacture a tool that has a moment of inertia very close to the spindle, increasing its rigidity while meeting customer weight limitations, "said Werner Penkert, the future solution manager." This is an excellent example of Kenakin's use of advanced manufacturing technology to help customers meet unique challenges. »

They produced two versions of the cutting tools, one using carbon fiber substrate and the other using 3D printed metal substrate, with impressive results. The 3D printed version weighs 10.7 kilograms (23.6 pounds), while the carbon fiber version weighs 9.5 kilograms (20.9 pounds), less than half the weight of traditional similar tools.

Reduce weight through additive manufacturing. The total weight of 3D printing tools is only 10.7 kilograms, which is half the weight compared to traditional processes. Meet the surface quality, roundness, and accuracy requirements of boring holes.

The same cutting tool is more lightweight. Instead of using 3D printed metal substrates, a tool version with a carbon fiber substrate was used. Further weight reduction, weighing only 9.5 kilograms.