Finish milling platforms for better productivity and profitability

February 25, 2014 8:07 am

To meet the growing demands of the metal cutting industry, Kennametal offers competitive solution for both rough and finish milling operations
The efficiency of an engine is greatly dependent on the metallurgical properties of its alloying elements. In the recent times there is an increased trend shift to advanced materials like Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) for block and head components to improve overall engine efficiency. The graphite in CGI differs in structure from that in gray Iron because graphite particles are shorter and thicker. This results in stronger adhesion between the graphite and Iron particles giving the material higher tensile strength. Though the first commercial application of CGI was seen earlier in brake discs for high speed trains, in the recent times we are seeing increased usage of it in diesel engine blocks with high combustion pressures. According to Kennametal, an assembled automotive engine can be made 9 per cent lighter with CGI. Engine block weight alone can be reduced up to 22 per cent with CGI and thus light weight factor improves engine efficiency and performance. Since CGI has got two to three times higher tensile strength than normal gray iron, while milling it induces higher cutting forces. Approximately 20 per cent more spindle load will be consumed while machining CGI as compared to Gray Iron. CGI has low thermal conductivity and hence heat trapped will be pushed into the work piece causing rapid tool wear. Thus higher feeds would be the best option than increasing the cutting speeds in CGI machining.
Also CGI does not have sulphur which acts as a lubricant in machining process.

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