New Gear Milling Cutter Aids Wind Power Industry

Increased cutting data
Equipped with correctly selected cutting inserts, CoroMill 170 can offer wind power component manufacturers a range of highly desirable benefits that include: increased cutting data; longer tool life; predictable durability for maintaining set quality levels; and the reduction of piece-part costs for machined gears.

Being launched as part of Sandvik Coromant’s CoroPak 10.2 programme of new product introductions, CoroMill 170 can have between 12 and 22 modules depending on application requirements. All orders for CoroMill 170 will be available on short deliveries to suit the rapid turnaround requirements of this fast paced industry.

Geared for success
Wind turbines have to have gears and gearboxes. However, due to relatively low batch sizes, dedicated gear production machinery sometimes cannot be justified. Instead, many wind power component manufacturers are using five-axis machining centres. Although machining times are slower than those achieved with dedicated gear-cutting machines, set-ups are faster and the machines can also be used for manufacturing related gear components, as well as other parts for wind applications.

With the growth of wind power a new mix of external and internal gears is required, from large slew rings to smaller conventional gearbox wheels. This has made gear milling with single or duplex cutters and hobs that employ indexable inserts an interesting alternative, and it is here that new developments such as CoroMill 170 are making a difference in the economics of manufacturing.