Smooth tooth flanks prevent built-up edges: With an additional surface treatment, premature breakage of the knurling wheels’ teeth can be prevented. Read on...
When processing aluminium, a special surface treatment of the knurling wheel can prevent premature breakage of the knurling wheels’ teeth.
In this particular case a silicon aluminium material was processed. The work piece required a face knurl with a 3,0 mm pitch. Due to the adhesive characteristics of the material, the knurling wheels’ teeth broke at an early stage.
The application
- Knurling application: Face knurling
- Material: AlCuMgSi
- Knurling Tool: 311-20R250806/13-45°
- Knurling Wheel: No.70 KAA 30x8x6/13 Fine-Polished
- Machine: INDEX ABC
zeus® Special tool for face knurlings 311-20R
Application optimization
After the customer discussed the problem with the Hommel + Keller application technicians, a solution with an immediate substantial increase in tool life was put in place:
Aluminium shows adhesive bonding at the edge, resulting in a transformation of the tool’s geometry leading to breaking of the teeth. In order to minimize this adhesive effect, smooth flanks are required. Depending on the material processed and the specific application requirements, Hommel + Keller offers a number of after-treatment services to optimize
the overall knurling quality in terms of surface finish and tool
life.
zeus® Polished Knurling Wheels
For adhesive materials that require an optimal chip-flow, fine-polished knurling wheels have delivered an improved performance in practice.
The knurling wheels are polished in-house with a special technique that allows a highly-precise rounding of the edges and excellent surface smoothing. The precise edge rounding of the tooth flanks enhances the edge stability and prevents built-up edges.

Through the use of fine-polished knurling wheels, tool life is increased substantially. Moreover, polished knurling wheels are a cost-effective alternative to ground carbide knurling wheels, that are commonly used for adhesive materials.
Further details regarding the polished knurling wheel product line can be found in the product sheet "zeus® Polished Knurling Wheels".
Our sales team will be pleased to optimize your application in terms of costs and surface quality.
If you have further questions regarding the application, please call us:
Benjamin Fritsch: +49 (0)7424 9705-343
01/2010
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