Steel products refer to a wide range of products made from steel, a
versatile and durable material that is used in a variety of industries.
Steel products can be classified into two main categories: flat products
and long products. Steel Products,Cutting Sheet Metal,Corrugated Metal Siding,Galvanized Punching Parts Suzhou Gold ant Precision Sheet Metal Co.,Ltd , https://www.jmysheetmetal.com
Flat products include sheets, coils, plates, and strips that are used in
the construction, automotive, and appliance industries. These products
are typically produced through hot rolling or cold rolling processes.
Long products include bars, rods, wires, and tubes that are used in the
construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure industries. These
products are typically produced through hot rolling or cold drawing
processes.
Other steel products include pipes, fittings, valves, and forgings that
are used in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation
industries. Steel is also used to make a variety of consumer products,
such as cutlery, kitchen appliances, and furniture.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has recently introduced a groundbreaking machining tool that eliminates the need for cutting oil, marking a significant advancement in gear manufacturing technology. This innovative tool is used for producing hobs, shavers, and spiral bevel gears, and it has already been commercialized, signaling a major shift in the industry.
Traditional cutting tools are typically made from high-speed steel and coated with titanium nitride to enhance their hardness. However, MHI's research team discovered in 1997 that incorporating a special titanium compound could significantly boost material hardness. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, extensive testing confirmed its practical benefits. As a result, MHI accelerated the development of this new tool, aiming to bring it to market quickly. The company has since filed 16 patents across Japan, Europe, and the United States, protecting its intellectual property.
The latest gear hobbing machine from MHI now features these advanced cutting tools, each priced at around 15 million yen. These tools not only eliminate the need for cutting oil but also offer a fourfold increase in tool life compared to conventional tools under similar conditions. Additionally, they allow cutting speeds up to 200 meters per minute—double the speed of previous models. This improvement leads to a 40% reduction in the cost of machining individual parts.
While the new tools are 2.5 to 3 times more expensive than traditional ones, their long-term benefits are clear. They help reduce production costs and minimize environmental impact by eliminating the use of cutting oils, which are often harmful to the environment. U.S. automaker Chrysler has already decided to adopt the new tools, and several Japanese automotive companies are currently evaluating their potential for future use.
This innovation represents a major step forward in sustainable and efficient manufacturing, demonstrating how advanced materials and smart engineering can transform traditional industrial processes.