- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Ceramic manufacturing tools align with HSS
- December 12, 2006
- News Release
- Bending and Forming
The use of high-strength steel (HSS) is increasing in popularity with automakers that are using it to manufacture lighter cars to help reduce fuel consumption. However, using HSS complicates the forming process.
Due to the heavy mechanical load, the matrix wears out more quickly with HSS than with conventional sheet metals. Molds have to be manufactured with extreme precision, which is expensive. A possible solution is to replace the tooling steel with high-performance ceramics in areas that are subjected to the particularly high forces.
Ceramic material is harder than steel and exhibits resistance to high-wear applications. Working in cooperation with partners from research and industry, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) has demonstrated a way of producing high-performance ceramic inserts. The advantage of the material is also a drawback. High-performance ceramics are so hard that they can be worked only with diamond.
"The complex shape of the inserts represents a special challenge. This is where we need new process technologies," said Andreas Weber, IPT project coordinator.
The Fraunhofer team has identified three conventional methods suitable for working ceramics and has optimized them for its own purposes. The best results were achieved with jig grinding, a method in which a small, rapidly rotating grinding tool moves across the ceramic part to create the desired shape.
The use of ceramic-reinforced forming tools is beneficial when producing a large numbers of parts, according to IPT.
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win
San Diego landmark becomes floating classroom for student welders
K&S celebrates 50 years in business
Guiding metal fabrication’s automation transformation
Increasing revenue by applying production concepts to sales and marketing
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY