Tool clamping system with variable tool length
In the Pinocchio research project, together with our partners from research and industry, we have developed a toolholder clamping system with variable tool length, with which toolholders can be used more flexibly and productively in tooling machines.
Challenge from industrial production
Long cutting tools are required for the production of components with deep cavities or poor cutting tool accessibility by milling. However, long cutting tools have low rigidity and are prone to vibration. For this reason, machining operations with long tools in manufacturing companies are carried out particularly slowly and with very small feed rates in order to keep the machining forces low and minimize the vibrations that occur. However, this slows down the production process considerably, which results in a significant increase in tool costs, machine hours and thus the manufacturing costs of the component.
Solution path in the research project
In the Pinocchio research project, we and our project partners have developed a toolholder clamping system that allows the cutting tool length to be automatically changed during machining: The tool length can be varied as required during the machining process. If at the beginning of the machining process the overhang length may still be small, the short tool length can be used for very fast and economical machining. As soon as longer tools are required, the overhang length is increased by the tool holder and the process can continue to be carried out at the economic optimum.
The toolholder clamping system
The Pinocchio toolholder clamping system allows the tool overhang length to be varied during milling. The resulting increase in tool rigidity leads to a reduction in vibration, so that a higher surface quality of the workpiece is achieved in addition to a more efficient machining process. The reduction in vibration also leads to a significant increase in tool life. Another advantage of Pinocchio is that tool change and tool set-up times are reduced or avoided. Productivity in the machining process is significantly increased and manufacturing costs are reduced.
Our project partners
