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10/09/2024|MICROTECH s.n.c

Process optimization thanks to laser sharpening of tools

Gabriele Borri and Orlando Carciofi founded MICROTECH in Appignano in 1980 to manufacture high-quality diamond tools for woodworking. 

 MICROTECH

Today, the 30-strong team produces a wide range of products for customers in 45 countries all over the world and is one of Italy’s top companies for the manufacture of PCD tools for woodworking. Previously, the hard diamond cutting edges were always sharpened on eroding and grinding machines. However, since 2022, MICROTECH has been using a new technology: The company has invested in a LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool in order to machine the tools in a more efficient, precise and sustainable way. MICROTECH has improved its productivity even further with robot automation, which has been developed in-house. It makes unattended shifts possible, therefore achieving a high degree of autonomy.

Custom diamond tools for woodworking 

 MICROTECH

“Be it saw blades, milling cutters or drills – we develop and produce our PCD tools individually in accordance with our customers’ requirements,” explains Gabriele Borri. The precision tools are often used in furniture manufacture, where they have a long service life thanks to their hard cutting edges. Wood, plastic and even lightweight metal alloys can be machined with high precision. “Of course, we also sharpen worn tools so that they remain in use for as long as possible.

The goal of MICROTECH is to continually optimize manufacturing processes and supply top quality tools. “A large proportion of our machinery is automated and we are always looking for new machining technologies,” says Gabriele Borri. An addition to eroding and grinding has been discovered in the form of laser machining. “With the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool, DMG MORI has a machine in its armory which fulfills all of our requirements – with numerous advantages over conventional technologies.” The compact machine only requires a footprint of 4 m2 and covers a wide range of components, allowing MICROTECH to machine small milling cutters and also large tools up to ø 355 mm in diameter with different clearance angles. The defined influence on cutting edge preparation, which can be easily implemented by the laser, has significant potential particularly for the performance of the tools during machining.

 Gabriele Borri
Gabriele Borri, Founder and Managing Director of MICROTECH

We can machine our tools efficiently thanks to the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool. The service life increases significantly, which gives us an important competitive edge!

Gabriele Borri, Founder and Managing Director of MICROTECH

5-axis machining of complex tools in a single clamping 

 MICROTECH
From left to right: Laura Borri, Luca Carciofi and Elena Borri will lead MICROTECH into the second generation of ownership.

Thanks to it being easy to use and clean, since no coolants are required, the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool has won the hearts of the employees within a very short time. DMG MORI has implemented the GTR industry standard as the programming solution at job shop level, meaning that existing eroding projects can also be included.

Sauro Bravi, who is responsible for laser machining, was quickly able to program even the most complex processes following his training in Pfronten. “The 5-axis machine can also produce in a single clamping adjustable jointing cutters consisting of several discs. This has to be done in several steps on grinding machines. The laser allows me to manufacture tools repeatably, since factors such as PCD grain size, grinding wheel shape, dielectric material and accessibility of the wheel do not have any direct influence during laser cutting.”

High productivity thanks to automated production 

 MICROTECH
Maximum utilization in unattended multi-shift operation by means of automated component handling.

The fast speed is also impressive, adds Gabriele Borri. Linear drives in the X and Y axes accelerate at up to 1 g and the two rotary axes also have highly dynamic torque motors that are ideal for repeatability and long-term stability. “Overall, we were able to significantly increase our productivity – particularly thanks to the robot automation we connected.” Overnight and at weekends, the storage always contains workpieces that need to be machined, so the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool is utilized to the maximum during unattended shifts.

With regard to precision, the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool provides top-class machining results. It makes it possible to manufacture defined cutting edge radii of 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 µm and also negative chamfers. “The high-precision cutting edges give our tools even better quality,” says Gabriele Borri happily. Laser processing increases the service life by a factor of as much as 2.5 in some cases. The long service life of the laser source and the low maintenance costs of the LASERTEC machine are further competitive advantages that help to keep down the cost of manufacturing. The outstanding repeatability of the lasered results in particular means that repeat orders can be costed very precisely and delivered in accordance with market requirements.

The versatility of the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool 

 MICROTECH
Repeatable laser machining of cutting edges – independent of grain size, dielectric material or grinding wheel geometry.

With a view to increasing process optimization, Gabriele Borri is already thinking ahead: “We would like to use the LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool for sharpening used tools in future.” He is considering further investments, together with the next-generation management. His two daughters Laura and Elena will continue to run MICROTECH along  with Luca Carciofi. “If we need a further increase in production capacity, another LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool would definitely be an option.”

MICROTECH s.n.c
Di Borri e Carciofi
Via Leonardo da Vinci 21
62010 Appignano (MC), Italy
www.microtechdia.com


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