The Art of Sharpness: 4 Proven Techniques to Prevent Cracks in Cemented Carbide Tools
When it comes to sharpening cemented carbide tools, a common challenge that many engineers and technicians face is the occurrence of sharpening cracks. These cracks can be frustrating, costly, and even lead to tool failure. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the causes of sharpening cracks and provide 4 expert-approved techniques to prevent or reduce their occurrence.
What are Sharpness Cracks?
Sharpness cracks refer to the phenomenon where a blade or tool becomes damaged or broken during the sharpening process. This can be attributed to the high hardness of cemented carbide materials, which makes them prone to cracking. When the grinding wheel passes through the blade or tool at high speeds, it can generate excessive heat, causing the metal to expand and contract rapidly. This thermal expansion and contraction can lead to cracking or breakage.
Technique 1: Negative Blade Hanging Method
To combat sharpening cracks, the negative blade hanging method is a simple yet effective technique to prevent blade vibration and impact loads. By sharpening the blade on both sides, the surface area is increased, reducing the risk of cracking. This method is particularly useful for blades made of hard materials like cemented carbide. By increasing the blade’s resistance to vibration, it’s less likely to suffer from sharpening cracks.
Technique 2: Infiltrate the Grinding Wheel with Molybdenum Disulfide
In this innovative technique, a grinding wheel is impregnated with molybdenum disulfide powder and anhydrous ethanol. After soaking the wheel for 14 hours, it’s left to dry for 18-20 hours. This process creates a lubricative environment that allows the abrasive particles to move smoothly, reducing the likelihood of blade damage. As a result, the chips produced are smoother, and the shape of the blade remains more precise.
Technique 3: Reasonably Choose the Grinding Amount
Proper grinding amounts play a crucial role in preventing sharpening cracks. If the friction force is too high, it can generate excessive heat, causing the blade to crack or break. To avoid this, it’s essential to carefully select the amount of grinding, considering factors such as:
- Circumferential speed (V): 10-15 m/min
- Vertical feed rate (f): 0.5-1.0 m/min
- Horizontal feed rate (f): 0.01-0.02 mm/line
Remember, manual polishing requires a delicate balance between longitudinal and transverse power supply, so it’s crucial to avoid excessive pressure.
Technique 4: Other Process Measures to Prevent Sharpening Cracks
To ensure the tooling system is rigid and accurate, regular maintenance is essential. This includes:
- Inspecting the machine for any signs of wear and tear
- Tightening loose components
- Ensuring proper alignment and adjustment of the grinding wheel
- Regularly cleaning and maintaining the machine
By implementing these 4 techniques, manufacturers of cemented carbide tools can significantly reduce the occurrence of sharpening cracks, ensuring a higher level of precision, quality, and reliability in their products.
In this blog post, we’ve explored the causes of sharpening cracks in cemented carbide tools and presented four expert-approved techniques to prevent or reduce their occurrence. By implementing these methods, engineers and technicians can troubleshoot and overcome common challenges, resulting in improved performance, efficiency, and reduced costs.
Stay ahead of the curve and take your sharpening game to the next level with these innovative techniques. Remember, in the art of sharpness, attention to detail and precision is key.
