Machining Steel Girders Economically And Reliably

Steel girders and profile steels are indispensable in many areas. Both their dimensions and the position and size of their holes are precisely defined. For the manufacturers of steel girders, therefore, in addition to process reliability and economic efficiency, the focus is on the hole quality produced during machining. MAPAL offers the optimal solution for this with the QTD-STEEL-PYRAMID insert drill with pyramid point.

Steel beams are a prime example of successful recycling. Manufactured primarily from scrap metal, they are used in the construction of halls, bridges or apartments, in mining, in the transport and logistics sector, as well as in machine and vehicle construction. Their role is just as varied as their possible uses and uses. If, for example, load-bearing walls are removed during house renovations, steel girders are the solution to maintain the statics and replace the wall as a girder.

Dimensions, masses and cross-sectional properties of steel girders and profile steels are defined. For the various profile shapes it is precisely specified which static values ​​they have to meet with defined dimensions. The position of the bolt holes and their size are also specified. The machining of these bores is subject to challenging conditions. Overall, the machining conditions are mostly unstable, the material thickness fluctuates and the material specification also varies.

Australian manufacturer of steel beams is looking for contact with MAPAL
In a specific case in Australia, those responsible at a manufacturer of steel developers were not satisfied with the performance of the tools used by a competitor. The tool life of the drill was subject to strong fluctuations. Jammed chips in particular ensured that the hogger often had to replace it after 150 holes.

The customer turned to MAPAL. The experts at the precision tool manufacturer designed a QTD-STEEL-PYRAMID insert drill (QTD) with a diameter of 18 mm specifically for the conditions on site. The QTD is predestined for machining steel girders.

The MAPAL tool in detail:

• QTD insert drill with pyramid tip – Insert made of coated solid carbide especially for machining steel
• Pyramid tip for the best possible self-centering and thus safe hole entry - Shank according to ISO 9766
• Back exposure for secure chip evacuation
• Optimal power transmission through embedded insert
• Hardened steel holder with cylindrical shank
• Stable Torx Plus clamping
• Prismatic insert seat for optimum centering of the cutting insert
• Highest performance in combination with MAPAL chucks

Significantly improved service life, high process reliability
Work is carried out with MMS and the same cutting data as with the previously used tool:

• Cutting speed: 63 m / min | Speed: 1,115 min-1 | Feed: 0.3 mm
• The results are inspiring. With the MAPAL tool, the customer can machine 2,000 bores reliably and economically.

In addition to the significantly longer service life, the QTD offers the manufacturer of property developers further advantages compared to the previously used drill. The chips are broken better. They are significantly shorter and therefore easier to transport. Difficulties with stuck chips are a thing of the past with the MAPAL tool. Even with fluctuating material thickness - in this specific case it is between three and twelve millimeters - the QTD works reliably with constant performance. It produces excellent hole quality with a burr-free hole exit. In addition, changing the insert is as easy as it is safe

The tool not only convinced the customer with its performance and easy handling. Its use is also extremely resource-saving and economical. Because the costly hard metal is limited to the cutting plate. And that without the user having to accept any losses compared to the solid carbide counterpart.