Lightweight materials are becoming increasingly important in industrial production, particularly for the automotive and aerospace sectors where lower weight equals reduced energy costs. To meet this growing demand, Walter has expanded its product portfolio and expertise in the lightweight sector.
Through measures such as the acquisition of the manufacturer FMT (Frezite Metal Tooling), Walter FMT now offers an incredibly extensive selection of tools for machining aluminium. Solutions which can be customised to the individual application. The same is true of the PCD range for machining light metals such as aluminium and aluminium alloys.
"Around 98% of our PCD tools are special tools which we tailor individually to the specific requirements and applications of each customer," explains Roland Hanischdörfer, field business developer PCD at Walter. "We therefore develop tailored machining solutions together with our customers. In doing so, we and our clients benefit from Walter FMT's vast experience in the lightweight segment."
These lightweight high-tech components place extremely high demands on the machining operations and the tools used. "Aluminium materials, like those with a high silicon content, are abrasive, while an aluminium from the 7000 alloy group can be high tensile," explains Stefan Benkóczy, component manager at Walter. "Other aluminium groups, for their part, tend to result in continuous chips and galling." This, alongside a variety of different shapes or materials, calls for flexible machining strategies and tools. Walter offers an ideal solution to these challenges with its wide selection of standard tools and PCD special tools, as well as its experience.
The new additions to Walter's PCD range for the automotive industry include tools for machining chassis parts – this is a field where the company has considerable experience and knowledge. The company also supports advancements in electro mobility, with tools for machining stator housings, the outer shell of electric motors.
Walter's current product range for light metal machining comprises a total of around 12,000 different standard tools. There are also special PCD and carbide tools, as well as hybrid versions which showcase the problem-solving skills of Walter's PCD and lightweight experts. All of these tools boast cost-efficiency thanks to short machining times and longer than average tool life.
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