CHICAGO -- MAG Industrial Automation Systems will exhibit a breakthrough in cryogenic machining at IMTS, demonstrating a new U.S. Navy-sponsored development that utilizes a through-spindle, through-tool cooling system. The development cools the cutting edge more efficiently, enabling higher cutting speeds.
According to MAG Vice President of Engineering Doug Watts, the key to the new system's efficiency is its ability to concentrate the cooling effect in the body of the cutting insert. "Cryogenic machining has never been done this efficiently before, with liquid nitrogen passed through the spindle and into the insert," he explained. "Through-tool cooling provides the most efficient heat transfer model, and consumes the least amount of liquid nitrogen. Our development work to date has focused on milling and boring, where consumption has been about 0.04 liters per minute per cutting edge. We believe drilling and tapping should be even less."
The through spindle cryogenic cooling system is suitable for motorized, belt-driven or geared spindles. At IMTS, a through spindle cryogenic delivery system will be demonstrated on a MAG VMC. "We are actively seeking partners to participate in further development, and hope to commercialize the technology next year," Watts concluded.
For more information, visit www.mag-ias.com.
