Every client has a different set of needs when it comes to machining. Carbide inserts have to be strong and intricately designed for different industrial processes, which requires a high-quality selection of materials. To ensure quality for your specific carbide insert needs, you should know the process that your request goes through, at least for the first batch. Here are a few parts of the custom carbide design and creation process to equip you with the knowledge you need to confirm an insert's quality.
Designing Or Importing Your Custom Carbide Inserts
With any prototyping and machining request, it all starts at the drawing board. If you have an existing design that you need for your industrial process or product catalog, the existing design can be adapted into a newer, stronger, or even slightly altered form if you need it.
Rapid prototyping for a quick idea of what can be done is achieved with 3D printers in most businesses. They're affordable and can be easily programmed with a design, especially if you already have the dimensions written down for creation. A resin or plastic-like model can be created for your inspection, which allows easier discussion when it comes to changes that need to be made or inspiring other products.
If you don't know what kind of insert you need, a consultation meeting is the first step. You need to discuss the type of cutting, shaving, impact, or other forms of shaping that are needed. If this is for a new process and you need a new solution engineered, it's best to invite a customization team to inspect your business and planning information.
A walk-down of industrial spaces is a good way to figure out how certain components need to work together. By looking at the type of product you want to produce, along with your existing machines and working conditions, you can move on to the prototyping phase a lot faster than just talking over the phone about specific, new dimensions.
Gauging The Quality Of Carbide Inserts
Getting the right shape isn't the only important part. Do you know how much of a specific metal is being used? Do you know how the component is being shaped, cooled, and polished? Many parts of the design process can have a profound impact on the final product.
When working with carbide inserts, ask for strong metals such as tungsten, which is strong, but still malleable. It's hard to drill or cut, but its main weakness is impact. You need a metal that is not only "strong" for generic construction purposes, but able to withstand high amounts of heat while moving at high speeds. There are many forms of strength, and you need the type of strength specific to your industry.
A mixture of cobalt and titanium is acceptable for adding malleable strength, but the percentage is what matters. Survey existing carbide inserts and their durability and look for their warranty information to figure out what to ask from your new customization team.
Another great service to ask for would be product recycling. When your insert is worn out, you should be able to send the old product in for meltdown and reuse. Don't expect a free, one-for-one trade unless the insert fails within warranty, but do expect costs to stay stable as you and other clients recycle materials.
Contact a custom carbide inserts company like Olson Carbide to discuss everything from the design phase to recycling.
