Shops standardise through modular tooling

In contrast to spending money on a separate tool for each machine, component and feature, modular tooling solutions allow machine shops to build optimised tooling assemblies to suit all applications using just a small inventory of standard items.

“Adopting a modular tooling strategy imparts a standardised solution across the workshop, eliminating the need for expensive engineered tools with long delivery times,” said Åke Axner, Global Product Manager at Machine Integration. “The established Coromant Capto is a case in point. This modular tooling concept offers quick-change tool holders with direct integration in the spindle and a large variety of extension and reduction adaptors that enables the assembly of tools with different lengths and design characteristics regardless of the machine interface.”

Similarly, the recently introduced Coromant EH system of exchangeable cutting heads for rotating applications up to 32mm, offers users a wide assortment of solid carbide cutting heads, indexable milling cutters, boring heads, integrated machine adaptors and shanks. It delivers advantages in large machining centres requiring long reach, as well as in small to medium-sized machining centres and turning centres having critical gauge length.

A further modular product family from Sandvik Coromant is the CoroTurn SL turning modular system. The Serration Lock (SL) interface is highly robust and lets users create a wide range of tool combinations from a small inventory of adaptors and cutting heads, for both internal and external machining operations.

To provide examples of where tooling modularity can prove invaluable, consider those hard-to-reach component features. Here, Coromant Capto can offer solutions for all different lengths and machine types, while combining the right Coromant EH shank and modular adaptor delivers both reach and accessibility in rotating applications.

Alternatively, consider the need for stability in operations prone to vibration. This is where the modularity of CoroTurn SL benefits from Silent Tools damped boring bars, ensuring productivity and close tolerances in operations with long overhangs.

Axner concluded, whether there are several machines and a small inventory is wanted to cover all machine interfaces, longer reach applications or varying gauge lengths, going modular though a partnership with Sandvik Coromant will save both time and money.