When to Replace Your High-Speed Steel Tools: Key Indicators

 

HSS tools are unanimously used in precision cutting applications. These steel grades display a set of specific properties that make them extremely suitable for high-speed environments. These include improved wear resistance over time along with the ability to undertake thermal load. A significant amount of heat is generated at the point of contact between metal and metal. By deploying various methods, the facility manager can improve tool longevity.

 

These methods include the application of the cutting fluid, proper alignment of the tool, removal of chips, prevention of deflection, and so on. However, despite these methods, a high-speed steel tool eventually comes to the end of its life cycle and must be replaced. You need to look at the different indicators mentioned here to decide on the replacement. Discussing your priorities with a highspeed steel supplier should give you sufficient insights on the right steel grade and the optimum tool life that you can expect.

 

  1. Decreased Performance Levels: When the decline in performance becomes too noticeable to ignore, you should seriously consider replacing the HSS tool. Key indicators of performance fallbacks include decreased cutting accuracy and increased cutting force. Also, a slower machining speed is an easy indicator that your tool setup needs an upgrade.

Since the cutting tool becomes dull over time, it would inevitably require more force to accomplish the task. This eventually leads to more energy consumption and is detrimental to the budget. Also, other related machine components must withstand the stress, eventually leading to a decreased life span. Replacing the existing steel tool should be a wise decision, given these key considerations. 

2.     Poor workpiece quality: The deterioration of the toolset also leads to poor workpiece quality, especially the surface finish. Defects in the final product, such as burn marks and chipping, can lead to more wastage. With these imperfections, secondary operations such as polishing and grinding may be required, which is time-consuming. It also puts a strain on the budget, increasing the overall production cost. When the reputation of your workshop is on the line, you need to make sure that the tool applied is upgraded regularly!

3.     Issues with tool geometry: Tool geometry is a key aspect of precision work. Ideally, the central shaft of the tool should be aligned with the central axis of the apparatus. A properly balanced tool can cut without deflection, making it an ideal application. However, with the deterioration of the tool geometry, the apparatus has to struggle with the perfect geometry, which can negatively affect the production process.

4.     Increased tool breakage: Much-used high-speed tools may suffer chipping or breakage, making them inadequate for the precision-tooling process. Replacing the damaged tool as soon as possible ensures that the workpieces are unaffected and that the production line continues to operate without disruptions.

 

Your Preferance

 

Considering these key aspects, you should contact a preferred high speed steel supplier. The right supplier should be able to offer you various options to use in the factory settings so that you can eventually decide on the steel grade required for the process. With a stable supplier, you always have the assurance of maintaining your budget while maintaining an efficient production line.   

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