HBK and Cetim-Ctdec Cooperative Relationship

Exemplary Partnership with HBK

Ctdec has set up long-term cooperative arrangements with HBK on this project, spread out over four years. More than six months were devoted to product qualification, especially its performance in industrial premises and endurance. Ctdec initially worked with HBK on the transducer-related electronics and then this collaboration very quickly expanded to the transducer itself. Ctdec was looking for rugged electronics (IP67). During the course of development HBK had a product that could meet this demand. As the opportunity arose, the manufacturer HBK then expedited the release of the product. This involves a new MX411P module integrating the QuantumX family. As for the transducer, Ctdec had already approved the technology of the metal foil strain gauge. "In working with HBK on the development of sealed electronics we came into contact with HBK's customized transducer department and this has allowed us to make far greater progress in the development of the tool holder", says Patrice Laurent. In concrete terms, the collaboration involved the search for the right compromise between the spring element geometry and the bonded gauge Ctdec and HBK both praise the exemplary nature of the partnership. Several models and mock-ups were built before the best compromise was found, with special attention paid to sealing (a lot of oil in the vicinity of the tool holder) and to mechanical protective devices (metal chip emissions). The wire outlets also received a great deal of attention so as to avoid wire breaks. Now that the industrial production stage has been reached, HBK continues to this day to carry out the bonding of its gauges to the spring elements supplied by Ctdec, while Ctdec performs calibration and analysis.

"This partnership is based on a perfect balance between the two companies. This collaboration with Cetim-Ctdec has really allowed us to progress and to develop a new generation of transducers. In particular, we have made use of the numerous tests conducted by their technical center. This is focused development to which we also bring our long-term capability to supply transducers that exhibit very stable performance", emphasizes Bernard Vindret, HBK engineer and architect of the partnership with Cetim-Ctdec.

Concrete Results

This development has led to an innovative product, the Cut Optimizer, placed on the market by Cetim-Ctedec. This product allows industries to determine the optimal area of operation of cutting tools based on the tool used, the material and the lubricant. It comes in the form of kits composed of a set of transducers, processing softwares and methodologies that can be used in production machines.

Perspectives

At the moment, this is primarily an adjustment tool used by turning industries (as well as those who work with them such as suppliers of cutting tools and lubricants). Industry can thus take a structured cutting approach through a global approach to machining (tool-material relationship) and quantify workshop practices. Once this data is recorded, the tool holder is withdrawn and replaced by the classic cutting tool. The production methods department uses this information to allow machine operators to carry out the optimum settings for each production variation. The future plan is to be able to work in a closed loop with a permanently installed tool that carries out self-adaptive adjustments. Of course, once the first step is taken, a big market will open up for Cetim-Ctdec...and HBK!

About CTDEC

The Centre Technique du Décolletage (Ctdec) was created in 1962. As it name suggests it lends support to industries specializing in bar turning. It employs 55 individuals and is based in Cluses, Haute-Savoie, in the heart of the Arve valley where more than two-thirds of French companies engaged in bar turning are concentrated. Ctdec was merged with the Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques in 2015 at the request of public authorities (the regulatory authority) and is now called Cetim-Ctdec.

 This merger promotes the convergence of turning and machining jobs and allows the offering of support to industries over the full life cycle of products.

 Cetim-Ctdec is engaged in diverse activities, particularly in the provision of consulting services and technical expertise in the field of materials (characterization, failure analysis, tests, etc.), production methods (machining, production organization and management) and metrology. It also carries out significant work in training (more than 1500 trainees per year) and information technology (databases, standards, technical documentation).

 Cetim-Ctdec also works on large-scale projects involving a large portion of the profession as well as on projects addressing a problem presented individually by an industry.