For edge preparation (Honing) of cylindrical carbide tools

Application

The Drag Finishing Technique developed by Walther Trowal is a special process for mass finishing of:
- high value and delicate components
- sophisticated geometries and contoured parts
- extremely hard and difficult to machine materials

The field of application for the drag finishing technique covers a wide range from heavy metal removal and edge breaking to fine finishing and surface improvement as well as high lustre polishing of visible surfaces.

The Walther Trowal Drag Finishing Machine M-TMD 6/2 is especially designed for:
- End Mills
- Drills
- Thread Milling Cutters
- Hobs

Made of carbide or CBN

Functional Properties

The tools are fixtured on special holders and dragged through a still standing abrasive media mass. The individual tool holders may also rotate separately.
- up to 40 times faster metal removal verses vibratory finishing
- components do not touch nor damage during process

Technical Characteristic

- compact, space saving design
- main drive by strong geared motor or servo motor
- lowering / lifting of rotary main gear via spindle drive /
  ball spindle drive
- fast exchange of abrasive media by replacement of portable
  work bowl
- user friendly industrial PC with unlimited number of programs
- variable speed adjustment of all drive motors by frequency control
- possible upgrading for automatic loading / unloading systems

The Processing Targets

- produce a defined and reproducible cutting edge
  radius on cylindrical tools
- improve the quality in the flute and on the clearance angle surface
- improve lifetime of cutting tools with selected edge preparation
- remove uncontrolled debris from surface and polish after coating

The Advantages

- extremely precise edge radiusing in short cycle times
- fully reproducible process performance
- surface improvement of flute and clearance angle area
- up to double lifetime improvement when machining tough materials
- improvement of durability of coated material after edge preparation
- production cost savings with proper edge preparation

Machine Features

- rotary gear driven by main motor or servo motor
- individual tool holders driven by separate motor
- rotation speed and direction individually selectable
- precise submersion adjustment of tools in abrasive media
- rapid movement of lowering / lifting device by ball spindle drive
- fast and easy replacement of portable abrasive media bowl

Tool Clamping Stations

- mechanical clamping and pneumatic disconnect
  chucks with collets
- special chucks covering a range of tool diameters for
  automatic load / unload
- up to 6 clamping stations