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DRAFT
Media
contact:
Debbie McCarthy
DMPR
T: + 44 (0) 1886 888000
E: debbie@debbiemccarthypr.co.uk
Issued:
PRESS RELEASE
NEW DRILL DESIGN
BOOSTS TOOL LIFE AND LOWERS COSTS
A new
drilling tool design developed by ATI Stellram has significantly boosted
productivity and reduced costs at Young Touchstone, one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of industrial heat exchangers.
Stellram®
HardCore® technology has dramatically transformed a machining
operation at the US-based company’s plant in Tennessee by doubling the average
number of holes achieved per drill and delivering a 59% saving on tool costs.
Young
Touchstone, part of the Wabtec Corporation, turned to ATI Stellram for help on
its project which involved drilling approximately 1,000 holes 13mm x 16mm deep
in 1018 CR steel plates used for a variety of cooling applications.
“The
challenge was to identify areas for improvement which would help increase
productivity and decrease tool costs. Under the existing operation, the drill
cost per hole was high and tool life varied greatly,” explained Patrick Cann,
ATI Stellram’s solid carbide specialist.
“The
Stellram® product development team recommended the use of HardCore® technology
drills as part of a series of changes designed to further improve the control
of cutting conditions and tool life. A feed and speed was established that not
only gave the required production rate, but also longer tool life.
“As the
tool life was substantially increased, the average holes per drill increased
from 15,000 to 30,000 and, as a consequence, the cost per hole was also
reduced, achieving a saving of 59% compared to the previous method,” he added.
Chad
Copeland, ATI Stellram’s sales engineer, said the patented HardCore® technology
was suitable for the application because it combines two optimum grades of
carbide in one tool, removing the problems usually associated with switching
between tools with different carbide grades.
“This new
technology helps extend tool life, eliminate chipping and resolve durability or
production speed issues. While one of the carbide grades is designed to
withstand the high speed of the tool’s outer diameter, the robust
characteristics of the other grade easily handle the slow speed of the tool
centre,” he commented.
Jeremy
Kennedy, Young Touchstone’s CNC Coordinator (Supervisor), praised the product
and the efforts of ATI Stellram’s team. “The design of the HardCore® drill
means we get longer tool life at an increased feed and speed rate. The
technical support was excellent and I have since purchased more ATI products
for other applications with great success.”
HardCore® drills are available in sizes ranging from
3-16mm (0.118-0.63 in.) diameter and capacities up to 5x diameter. Further
details are available online at www.atistellram.com or from Elena Gandiglio on 00 41 22 354 9711
(email egandiglio@ATIEP.com).
-ends-
Note to editors:
ATI Stellram is one of several business units of ATI
Engineered Products of the Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (ATI) group of
companies. ATI is a leading producer of specialty metals including titanium and
titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys and superalloys, and stainless steel and
specialty alloys. ATI Stellram has manufacturing facilities in the United
States, United Kingdom and Switzerland, with 9 sales offices around the world
and a product distribution network covering 40 countries.