Kennametal, Haimer to work jointly on DUO-?OCK Modular Interface

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2014-10-02 23:46:30

In an agreement signed earlier this year, Kennametal Inc and Haimer GmbH have agreed to a revolutionary joint technology partnership and development cooperation for modular cutting tool systems. The agreement involves a significant 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 Mr Carlos Cardoso, chairman, president and CEO, Kennametal Inc.

The companies are combining their toolholding and carbide knowledge to provide solutions for high-performance milling applications with this revolutionary 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.

Mr John Jacko, Vice President and CMO of Kennametal, explains: “Working with world-class partners like Haimer demonstrates our commitment to Different Thinking”. Mr 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.”

For the past few years, the cost of carbide has been consistently increasing. Following this trend, Haimer and Kennametal have developed DUO-LOCK™, which is the most rigid and most precise interface in the marketplace and virtually unbreakable. Mr Oliver Sax, Director 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.” Mr Colleen Cordova, Vice President Industrial Marketing at Kennametal adds: “Haimer and Kennametal have been able to create a modular interface based on maximum stability that allows the user to make full use of the carbide tool potential!”

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.

Mr Doug Ewald, Director Product Management System Tooling at Kennametal says: “The system provides 5 µm runout accuracy and a Z accuracy of 10 µm, which will eliminate most of the expensive presetting processes.” The superior 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.

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