Testing Of Hardmetal Cutting Inserts Additive Manufactured By Fused Filament Fabrication

Additive manufacturing allows machining tools to be specifically adapted to the machining task. However, currently the question remains whether additive manufactured hardmetal tools can achieve comparable performance to conventional produced hardmetal tools. In this study, hardmetal inserts manufactured using fused filament fabrication were tested in industrial machining trials on samples of AISI 304 (X5CrNi18-10). Due to their high degree of standardization and simple geometry, indexable inserts are well suited for such feasibility tests, although they do not have a geometry that requires or is advantageous for additive manufacturing. \n Within the presentation the whole process chain will be shown. Starting from powder, over the preparation of thermoplastic based filaments, the FFF printing up to the grinded tool. Specific issues for ensuring high material and component quality are discussed and an outlook into the use of ultrafine hardmetal powders more complex tools will be given. The promising results show great potential for complex special hardmetal tools, weight savings and conformal cooling.