Development of an end mill made from a composite material based on rock flour

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Term:
10.2021 to 09.2023
  • University of Bayreuth, Chair of Environmental Production Engineering
  • Alfred Schweizer GmbH & Co. KG
  • Biersack Aerospace GmbH & Co. KG
  • SAM Coating GmbH
  • RSB Schleifdienst GmbH

The main components of the hard metals used in conventional tool production are the raw materials tungsten and cobalt. Both are classified as critical raw materials due to their limited deposits, which are concentrated in just a few countries. The LithoMill research project therefore aims to develop a coated end mill made of a composite material based on highly available and environmentally safe rock flour. The innovative end mill is to be used in the machining of plastic and aluminum components and will have improved dynamic tool behavior due to its material properties. The innovative end mill is manufactured using a combination of additive and subtractive manufacturing processes. A new type of coating is also intended to protect the innovative end mill from thermal and abrasive loads. In addition to demonstrating its usability in an industrial environment, a carbon footprint will be used to show that the innovative end mill is superior to conventional solid carbide end mills in terms of resource efficiency.

Sub-project realized by SAM Coating GmbH:
Tailor-made PVD/PACVD coating on rock cutters for plastic and aluminum processing.