You are here

High-Speed Machining of Titanium Alloys Using Indirect Cutting Tool Cooling

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-06-C-0069
Agency Tracking Number: N041-013-0992
Amount: $893,745.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N04-013
Solicitation Number: 2004.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2006-02-02
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-11-15
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jay Rozzi
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 643-3800
 jcr@creare.com
Business Contact
 Gordon Willett
Title: Business Administration M
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: contractsmgr@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Creare proposes to develop a novel indirect cutting tool cooling system (ICTCS) that will enable the high-speed machining (HSM) of titanium alloys. Titanium aerospace components are notoriously expensive and difficult to machine. Currently, only light finishing cuts of titanium can be completed at high speed, with a correspondingly low material removal rate. This fact drives up the processing time and the cost of the finished titanium part, particularly for roughing operations. During the Phase I project, we demonstrated the feasibility of the system for titanium milling by improving the tool life by 200% and increasing the processing speed by 80% or more, compared to conventional flood cooling. We also demonstrated that our innovation produced a high-quality machined surface and a near-surface residual stress distribution equivalent to conventional cooling. We estimated that our cooling system would enable a multi-million dollar (~$50 million or more) cost savings for the V-22 Osprey program per year. During the Phase II project, we will focus on the improvement and transitioning of our technology to key partners. Our approach is intended to integrate with standard indexable or conventional carbide milling cutters; hence, it can be integrated with current manufacturing operations easily.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government