HYBRID PROCESS: INTEGRATED ULTRASONIC AND CNC MACHINING
MULTIAX PROCESS FOR MACHINING HONEYCOMB MEANS TIME OPTIMIZATION AND COST REDUCTION

At Multiax we have been pioneering the special technology of cutting with ultrasonic units, applied to cutting of honeycomb and other core materials, testing and delivering this innovative process since several years.

We found that a hybrid process allows to machine complex parts thanks to the possibility to perform the classic CNC machining with standard honeycomb tools and the use of the ultrasonic units on the same 5-axis machine.

Multiax has been delivering several CNC machining centers with classic tools + Ultrasonic units to process complex honeycomb components.

Ultrasonic end-effectors
When the ultrasonic end effectors are used, the dust extraction hood is packed around the spindle nose, making sure it is not disturbing the use of the ultrasonic end effector, which is pick up by the machine spindle, just like all the other tools.
There are no visible infeed cables to supply the end-effector with power from the spindle, because this connection is set through a special connector.

  • No chips in the cells as with milling,
  • no burnt edges as with laser cutting
  • no moisture penetration in the material, as with water jet cutting.
 

No visible infeed cables

classic honeycomb tools

Ultrasonic Units

   
 

Multiax is strongly promoting the use of innovative US units with blades or discs managed by a CNC Machining center together with classic honeycomb cutting tools as the perfect combination to machine challenging materials such as honeycomb (Nomex or aluminum), films, skins, CFRP and GFRP fabrics can be cut through very efficiently and with the utmost precision.

Multiax CNC machines including the US units are equipped with dedicated ultrasonic unit magazine to store different end-effectors with different oscillating tools, in function of the type of cut to be carried out.

ADVANTAGES AT A GLANCE

  • No noise
  • No dust
  • No burnt edges, deformed cells or lint
  • Very sharp cut edges
  • Reduced cycle time
  • Possibility to make straight angles and complex geometries
  • no visible infeed cables to supply the end-effectors.

 

COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL METHODS

If compared to conventional cutting methods, the ultrasonic cutting brings evident benefits. The cutting forces are reduced by abt. 3/4 and the productivity of the cutting process is greatly increased.

Unlike conventional cutting and trimming, the ultrasonic process produces neither swarf nor noise and unlike laser cutting there are no burnt edges or flue gases. When compared to water jet cutting, there is no moisture penetration or of the material. Yet above all, in terms of cost, it is a pretty comparable alternative to laser and water jet cutting.

 

MULTIAX EXPERIENCE

Thanks to the experience we have been building up during several years with leading customers worldwide, the Multiax team can support you during the entire process of development of this process:

  • Make a comparison between different CNC machining strategies (Classic tools only Vs Ultrasonic end-effectors Vs Classic tools + Ultrasonic end-effector)
  • Co-engineer the first pilot parts
  • Suggest an optimized strategy for machining the parts
  • Launch the manufacturing of the first trial parts on the CNC machine
  • Support for a better environmental impact of this innovative process
  • Co-engineer special equipment, fixtures and tools to raise the added value of the process

 

 

Contact Us

Get in touch with us!



MULTIAX INTERNATIONAL CNC S.R.L.
Viale Europa, 11 - 33070 Brugnera (PN) - Italy
info@multiax.com
Phone: +39 0434 598151
Fax: +39 0434 598151
Piva IT01671740932
MULTIAX AMERICA Inc.
3000 Remico Street St. SW - Grandville, MI 49418 - USA
info@multiaxamerica.com
Phone: +1 616.534.4530
Fax: +1 616.534.4570
MULTIAX GERMANY
Hans-Reiser-Str. 8 - 96145 Sesslach
stefan.stark@multiax.com
Phone: +49 (0)9569-1889146 
Mobile: +49 (0)157-34870674

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