JULY 2019 | Manufacturing Today http://www.manufacturingtodayindia.comCUTTING TOOLS
TURNING & MILLING
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For this reason, Tungaloy India has a training mod-
ule for the shop floor team on usage and mainte-
nance. “We discuss the basics of machining and
help them understand the features and longevity of
the tool. There is a need for training, so we conduct
seminars at plants which leads to consistent machin-
ing,” says Shah.
Companies like TaeguTec India prefer to underline
the importance of total cost of manufacturing. “Many
a times, tools cost 2-3% of the total cost of manu-
facturing. Productivity is a bigger influencer when it
comes to total cost of manufacturing. At times, cus-
tomers focus on tool cost and lose the opportunity
of reducing manufacturing cost or cost per part to a
much larger extent,” says Krishnan.
Using low quality tools that are cheaper but offer
no predictability and consistency can damage the
workpiece and the machine. Tools also need to be
maintained, otherwise it can increase the hazard for
the operator. “Training must include all aspects of a
tool, such as handling, replacement, understanding
its longevity, etc. We ensure that the team and our
customers have the right training before application/
selection of a tool, says Menon.
Demand for cutting tool industry is driven by
metal cutting and manufacturing across the sec-
tors. “Several factors like introduction of electric- Productivity is a
bigger influencer when
it comes to total cost of
manufacturing. - Customers seek
customised solutions to
reduce cutting time and
specialised solutions
are the answer.
4LOW QUALITY
TOOLS OFFER NO
PREDICTABILITY AND
CONSISTENCY AND
CAN DAMAGE THE
WORKPIECE AND THE
MACHINE.
5the aerospace sector, LMT Onsrud has a dedicated
programme for machining aerospace materials with
specialised geometry and coating.”TOOLS COUNT
Tools work well when used on suitable machines
with proper work- and tool holders, coolant, and cut-
ting parameters. The quality of work material, tools
used before and after also play a significant role.
Most tool manufacturers do make customers aware
so that the end result is consistent. Sashi Menon,
technical head, Hoffmann Group, says, “Based
on the complexity of the geometry and material, the
higher is more will be the requirement for complex
machining processes, which can only be done by
modern milling and turning centres. With the growth
expectation in infrastructure-related industries, en-
ergy, road and railway construction, automobile and
aerospace, the overall cutting tool inserts market will
continue to grow.”
However, considering that most machine shops
are SMEs and MSMEs, they need to be taught the
importance of investing in new tools after wear.
Kumthekar says, “If a worn-out tool worth Rs 3000
is used for machining one extra job then there is a
possibility of the work getting rejected or leading to
low productivity.”“With the growth
expectation in
infrastructure-
related industries,
energy, road and
railway construction,
automobile and
aerospace, the overall
cutting tool inserts
market will continue to
grow.”- Sashi Menon