Stone Cold Game Changer

One of the presentations that drew huge crowds at the Manufacturing Excellence event was 5ME’s “Cryogenic Machining Technology.” Michael Judge, EVP Business Development for 5ME, provided an excellent overview of the technology, including a discussion of the innovation his company has developed, Internal Liquid Nitrogen (LN2). 5ME utilizes vacuum jacketed feed lines to deliver low flow rates of LN2 through the machine, through the spindle, and through the cutting tool directly to the cutting edge. Prior nitrogen cooling applications were all external spray and high pressure, and like conventional flood coolants, aimed at the face of the cutting tool and cut zone. In addition to the presentation, a live cryogenics demo was running on an Okuma MU-8000V 5-axis machine tool.

Watch the Video

You can see how 5ME’s cryogenic machining technology is a “stone cold game changer” in this super-cool video that demonstrates the cutting of a titanium aerostructure component on an Okuma MA-600HII horizontal machining center. The video shows the many benefits of this process:

• Up to 5x faster processing speeds in tough materials
• Improved surface integrity
• Improved part quality
• Significant reductions in cycle time and cost per piece
• Increased tool life
• Environmentally-friendly: No coolant, hazardous fumes or mist
• Eliminates purchase, disposal, management, and infrastructure associated with flood coolants
• Fully integrated with Okuma’s OSP control

About 5ME

5ME provides innovative technologies, products, and value added services solely focused on increasing manufacturing efficiency. Cryogenic Machining is a game changing metal-cutting technology that increases throughput, quality, tool life, and profitability. Learn more by visiting the 5ME website. You can also visit their booth at the AeroDef Manufacturing event February 8-10, 2016 in Long Beach, California.

More: Read our blog post "Little-Known Facts About Cryogenic Machining" for an informative Q&A about cryogenic machining.