Axis introduces CVD Diamond coated tools for machining of Graphite Electrodes and other graphite parts. As graphite is brittle in nature, so machining is also very difficult. Graphite electrodes used in EDM need to be precise and accurate.

Challenges while machining electrode graphite :
– High speed machining centers with 30000 – 60000 rpm spindles are capable of accelerated  feeds that serve to reduce cycle times and improve surface finish, as well as edge quality.
This results in lower cutting forces and reduced tool breakage. This is particularly critical becuase many electrodes are intricate and their production involves small, fragile micro
tools.
– Increased RPMs require properly balanced tools with significantly increased chip room to assure proper chip removal. Optimum geometry can assist in both quality and efficiency while milling graphite.

At AXIS, we provide tools with close tolerances and highly uniform CVD Diamond Coating resulting into high quality and precise machining of graphite electrodes.

AXIS CVD Diamond coated tools offer :

Features
– Extreme wear resistance
– High heat resistance
– High dimensional accuracy

Benefits
– Increased tool life 10-20x
– Improved process capability

AXIS have the right milling and drilling solutions designed for machining difficult to machine Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic and Metal matrix composites.

Our CFRP cutters are optimally engineered to outperform in this application by minimizing fraying, delamination and increasing tool life AXIS CFRP cutters and drills are available in below geometries:

• Coarse Cut
• Medium Cut
• Fine Cut

AXIS milling and drilling tools available with features:

• Specially designed geometry
• Engineered Hard CVD Diamond coating
• Sharp cutting edges with optimised grinding techniques

This features offer the following benefits:

• Reduce forces, Cut clean without fibres, no delamination of layers
• Enhanced tool life
• Vibration free operation, excellent edge retention of holes and milled surfaces, less job damages

The complete tool range is made out of Tungsten carbide with micro grain which offers high wear resistance suited for edge retention and sharp cutting edges.

Here are a few tips for machining such materials :

• When the material delaminates, normally feed rate need to be reduced. In case of splintering,   use positive geometry and increase speed and feed rate
• In case where layer delaminates sometimes modified geometries are offered. This is based on   machine kinematics and conditions.
• Typical starting values should be cutting speed of 60-120m/min and feed rates of 0.02 –   0.15mm/ rev are used on such materials
•  PolyCrystalline Diamond tools (PCD) are sometimes used for higher feed and sometimes higher speeds. Only straight cutting edges are possible with such tools. CVD diamond tools have harder cutting edges and can be provided with helical and wavy edges. Tools with this type of geometry is called Gama Geometry.