Kennametal and Haimer implement joint technology agreement

Latrobe, Pennsylvania – Earlier this year, Kennametal Inc. and Haimer GmbH agreed to a joint technology partnership and development cooperation for modular cutting tool systems. The agreement involves a cross-license model and long-term partnership.

 

“This agreement is a perfect fit because it illustrates both Haimer and Kennametal as leaders in high-end innovative technologies for world manufacturing,” states Carlos Cardoso, chairman, president and CEO, Kennametal Inc. 

 

Andreas Haimer President of Haimer Group adds: “This is a full-system partnership between companies with identical philosophies, highest innovation strength, and passion for precision.”

 

At IMTS 2014, both companies introduced the new modular interface DUO-LOCK for carbide cutting tool heads. The companies are combining their toolholding and carbide knowledge to provide solutions for high-performance milling applications with this modular system. Like SAFE-LOCK, DUO-LOCK will be offered as a license to leading high-end cutting tool companies to establish a compatible, high-performance modular endmill system. 

 

For the past few years, the cost of carbide has been consistently increasing. Following this trend, Haimer and Kennametal have developed DUO-LOCK, a rigid and precise interface and virtually unbreakable. Oliver Sax, director of product management at Haimer explains, “The current existing modular tool systems have their weakness in the interface. Due to this fact, the full potential of the cutting heads can`t be used because of tool breakage.” 

 

The DUO-LOCK technology provides maximum stability, load capacity, and high runout precision based on an innovative thread design with a proprietary double-cone connection and additional third supporting area in the back of the interface. 

 

Doug Ewald, director of product management system tooling at Kennametal says: “The system provides 5µm runout accuracy and a Z accuracy of 10µm, which will eliminate most of the expensive presetting processes.” The features of the DUO-LOCK technology will provide significantly increased metal removal rates at milling applications and longer tool life. For the first time, a modular milling system can achieve similar high performance of a latest-generation solid carbide endmill. 

 

During IMTS, both companies introduced a new portfolio of cutting heads and mono-block screw fit tool holders with DUO-LOCK technology in all relevant spindle interfaces and extensions. Also, new modular cutting tool heads with longer length than currently available in the market place will be added to their product portfolio.