Product R&D Background
 How to quickly replace the tool without disassembling the tool handle?
Nowadays, technological advancements from the field of machine tool engineering have brought new opportunities to manufacturing, resulting in a "rethinking" of the manufacturing of different parts. Multi-task machines and turning centers enable different types of machining tasks to be performed on the same machine tool. The ability to machine an entire part in a single clamping of a toolholder has been a long-standing dream for every manufacturer. |  How to reduce manufacturing costs and tool inventory through reliable connection mechanisms?
Traditional solid carbide tools often use only a small part of the tool tip or tool contour during face milling, square shoulder milling, and copy milling. When encountering ultra-long stroke processing conditions, extension tools are required. Tool holder or tool arbor is used to assist, which increases the cost of using the tool. At the same time, during the processing of some non-standard parts, only one step or groove needs to be processed and a tool needs to be ordered, which also causes a waste of resources. |
Product Advantages
◆ Strong stability
The cutter head is centered through the tapered surface of the cutter body; the cutter head and the cutter body (handle, handle) are in surface contact; the cutter head and the cutter body are connected by threads. The contact and centering of the cutter head with the taper surface of the cutter body makes the milling cutter have a higher precision level; the surface contact ensures that the cutter head overhang is controlled within strict tolerance limits. The result is that the cutter head has strict dimensional repeatability positioning accuracy after assembly; The threaded connection makes the replacement of the cutter head simple and easy to operate.
The biggest and most critical feature of the replaceable-head assembly tool developed by our company is its special thread structure and positioning mechanism. In order to distinguish it from the common thread structure on the market, our company named it: ST thread
Compared with the traditional M-shaped cusp thread, it has the following significant features:
1. A more perfect fit with the knife handle
The front end of the ST thread has a tapered surface. After being connected to the tool holder and tightened with a wrench, its unique slope mechanism will produce a "tightening" effect, similar to the Morse handle principle. | 
The front end of the ordinary M-type thread is straight. After being connected to the tool holder, it is impossible to judge whether it fits properly. There may be gaps during use, causing jumps. |
2. Higher accuracy
The double positioning structure solves the shortcoming of M-type threads that only rely on plane positioning, and maintains excellent concentricity and circumferentiality.
3. Better reliability
The ST thread is as shown in the figure. It has a wider ruler and pitch and is stronger during use. The sharp teeth of the M-type thread will crack, crack or even break. This is one of the main reasons why we developed a new interface. | 
The ST thread has better locking force, making it easier for customers to replace it and no additional adjustments are required. |
◆ Compared with the replaceable cutter heads imported from abroad, our company's products are cost-effective.
① The production cycle is short. Our company has mature technology and supporting equipment and is now capable of large-scale production.
② Materials, coatings, etc. can be flexibly selected according to customer needs to meet customer demand for price.
③ Provide non-standard customized services and provide complete pre-sales, sales and after-sales services.
◆ In the process of developing this replaceable head tool, our company also developed a matching tool holder.In terms of material selection of the tool holder, customers are given more choices.
① Solid carbide tool holder
It has excellent vibration resistance and is not limited by foreign technology. In addition, the taper can be ground according to customer needs to avoid voids.
② It adopts V-shaped welding, the connecting part is made of steel, and the remaining part is made of carbide.
Its characteristic is that it uses the good ductility of steel to provide stronger tensioning force.
◆ A wide range of possibilities, minimizing downtime
Fully responding to the important demand principle of "no downtime", replacement of worn and failed tool heads does not require additional loading and unloading operations. The tool head can be replaced without removing the entire milling cutter from the machine, which significantly reduces downtime. The series of unified threaded connections allow the cutter body to hold different cutter heads, and the cutter heads are also adapted to different cutter bodies; changing the tool holder to a universal tool holder can not only reduce tool investment but also reduce tool inventory.
In addition, we also provide extension rods and reduction rods for a wide range of applications, ensuring that the required tool structure can be provided to process workpiece areas with poor accessibility. Applications include square shoulder milling, plane milling, curved surface copy milling, chamfer milling, slot milling, thread milling, etc., and has hole processing capabilities covering center hole drilling, spot drilling and countersunk screw hole processing.
Solving the problem of thread interface stability, we can develop ever-changing assembly cutter heads on this basis, while supporting non-standard customization.
Product Outlook
◆ Feasibility of project industrialization
1. Sufficient market demand
The emergence of this product of our company has filled the market gap of domestically produced replaceable head tools, reduced users' production costs, and improved users' production efficiency.
2. Reasonable team structure
The company's R&D team provides complete theoretical and technical support, and has prepared active response plans in the early promotion, mid-term production, and later support processes.
3. Complete production line
The company specializes in the production of non-standard cutting tools and provides customers with complete cutting tool solutions. Except for quenching, coating and other environmentally friendly links, all are designed and produced by the company itself.
◆ Project planned establishment status
This product has begun mass production and has received good feedback from users. It has been unveiled at domestic and foreign exhibitions and has received very enthusiastic responses. The company will continue to promote it.
◆ Project development plan
1. Develop a wider range of cutter heads and tool holders to adapt to more industries and working conditions
2. Register patents to protect intellectual property rights
3. Improve production scale and efficiency to meet customer needs
lubin@china-end-mill.com
