Case Studies

Reducing Production Costs for Machining Inconel Gear Housings

Posted on: November 1, 2018
Tags: Precision Machining, Aerospace, BSF, Spotfacing, Inconel, Back Counterboring
Spotface Inconel

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Challenge

A precision manufacturer focused on the aerospace Industry was using a competitor’s back spotfacing tool for a gear housing, as the Heule BSF had not been introduced at the time his project began. Due to his lack of success with the competitor’s tool (tool breakage as well as insert longevity) the customer was willing to test the HEULE BSF not long after its introduction.

Application details


Main bore: Ø.278”
Spotface diameter: Ø.535” Plus/Minus .008
Material: Inco718 (cast)
Machine: Cat 40 VMC Okuma: 1000Psi through-spindle

back spotfacing tool

Solution


HEULE recommended the BSF-A-0700/040-7.5 using carbide TiAlN-coated blade BSF-M-A-1A-6.0 to obtain a .531 back spotface.

Machining parameters:
Speed: 55 SFM / 345 RPM
Feed: F=.0006” per revolution / .25 IPM
Coolant: Internal coolant

Results

The HEULE BSF was able to complete 1 part per blade (10 holes) while the competitor’s tool used 5 blades per part. In-cut cycle time (time to index inserts on competitor not included) went from 62 minutes to 7 minutes 45 seconds. Estimated savings $130,000 amortized over 300 parts per year.

Interested in the BSF back spotfacing tool? Visit the BSF product page for more info. 

Need help selecting a tool? Visit our online Tool Selector and go to the Locate Agent page on our website to find your local technical sales representative. For more assistance, contact us at info@heuletool.com or 513-860-9900 and we'll be happy to point you in the right direction.