4 tooling strategies to reduce vibration in boring operations

Vibration is a slippery slope. You could have the ideal tooling setup for a given application and still encounter unforeseen issues. In precision boring operations, vibration can slow you down, cause excessive tool wear, and even result in scrapped parts. The specific factors that can contribute to vibration are myriad – but we have the best four ways to minimize them.

1. Choose the best anti-vibration tech – The fight against vibration starts at the machine, but what if your machine tool isn’t new? For older machines and applications requiring extremely tight tolerances, tooling tech can go a long way. The EWN Smart Damper combats vibrations and reduces chatter in deep-hole finish boring via a passive damping mechanism that counters vibration with high-resonance friction action. Smart Damper components are designed to be modular, enabling longer tool assemblies that address vibration as close to the cut as possible. It’s not just for a better finish – the Smart Damper system enables higher speeds and feeds to improve cycle times up to 10x

2. Think smart with modular solutions – Common logic tells us modular tooling can cause problems with rigidity. It’s true that when using modular tooling systems to achieve extension, fewer connections are better. But in complex and deep-hole boring operations, longer tools may be inevitable. Several approaches to modular tooling can reduce vibrations:

• Lighter, higher-precision modular parts combat issues with tool assembly weight, reducing vibration and tool-change issues. Modular tooling allows greater flexibility with modular connections without compromising precision.
• In specialized cases, a different type of modular assembly can help: adding a guide bushing around the tool to guide the tool in the hole in a more rigid way. This solution calls for slower cutting and careful observation, so seek application support from a trusted tooling partner.
  
• Each piece of a modular system must be higher quality and more rigid than single-tool solutions to make up for the incremental loss in rigidity as connections are added.

3. Compensate with digital boring heads – For boring applications requiring tight tolerances or where challenges increase the risk of oversized or undersized holes, digital boring heads can offer a bit of insurance and significantly speed production. Digital boring heads allow operators to make high-precision adjustments faster and easier.

4. Select the right insert – The right tooling insert to reduce vibration in boring is a high-quality, ground insert with a sharp cutting edge to reduce tool pressure. Beyond that, longer lead angles may allow you to increase speeds and feeds, but lead angles closer to 90° apply the least amount of radial pressure against the tool. Less pressure means less vibration – and better productivity and tool life.

Minimizing vibration to achieve optimal results and productivity is a team effort, from the many physical components at play to application experts who can help guide your team to the best solution.

BIG DAISHOWA Inc.
https://www.bigdaishowa.com

About the author: Matt Tegelman is senior product specialist for BIG DAISHOWA Inc. He can be reached at matt.tegelman@us.bigdaishowa.com.