Toolholder Economics
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Enter machine information including torque/power curve.
- Get the current data on their existing endmill; speed, feed rate, width and depth of cut. Enter this information under the current conditions tab in the DC software.
- Record the cut using Harmonizer to verify there is no chatter. If there is chatter, select that in the current conditions.
- Tap an endmill of the same brand and part number, you can use a worn one if that is all they have, in your selected toolholder at approximately the same stick-out.
- Submit the DC file to BlueSwarf for Dashboard analysis and production.
- Use the Dashboard to find maximum available stable cutting parameters.
- Go to Analytics Tab and find before and after cost per cubic inch removed (cost per in3/m) and enter those values into the above calculator.
- Adjust tool price to their endmill cost and tool life on both tools to the same values. Enter shop's hourly rate for that machine. If you do not know, leave at default.
- Enter the cutter's cut time per part in seconds and the number of parts typically produced per shift.
- Enter the cost of the tool assembly equipment needed (if any), the number of expected toolholders to be replaced and the cost of this specific toolholder. The cost of the equipment will be amortized over all of the toolholders.
- If needed, run verification test using Harmonizer if any chatter is encountered. Adjust speed accordingly. Use a new endmill for this.
- Measure tool life (it will likely be much better than their current). Enter that value in the analytics tab on the Dashboard side, leaving the user value at its current. Recalculate their ROI using the above calculator.
