External Thread Milling Case Study
5 Second Reduction in Cycle Time = Tens of Thousands of Dollars Saved!
Part: Hydraulic cylinder port for bulldozer
Material: 1018 Steel
Thread: 13/16-16 UNF / 2A, 12mm Thread Length
Previous Process: Single-point threading on CNC multispindle machine.
Cycle time: 14 seconds.
New Process: Thread milling using Hydromat Epic 45-12 rotary transfer machine equipped with JBO GFG-WFE shell-type thread milling cutter.
- Eight carbide cutters, indexable six times each.
- Integral HSK 40 shank.
- Offset 2.69mm for threading.
Process:
- Cutter spins at approximately 2,000 rpm.
- Z-axis feeds into the part at the thread pitch while the cutter interpolates around the OD.
Results:
- Cycle time reduced from 14 seconds to 9 seconds.
- Tool life increased 10 times.
- Reduced downtime due to longer cutter life.
"Once you index those cutters and dial it to the right size, the machine is CNC so you're just making an offset. You basically don't have touch anything for about 50,000 to 60,000 pieces; it just sits here
and hammers out the parts."
Jim Byrum
Manufacturing Engineer
