Floyd Rolls out Innovation with New Marking Tools

1 February 2012

As a market leader in the provision of specialised cutting tool solutions for turning machines, Floyd Automatic Tooling has now launched the new range of Zeus Marking Tools from Hommel & Keller. The new tooling systems enable the end user to mark workpieces directly on the turning centre to guarantee uniform precision components without the need for secondary processing.
By integrating the marking process onto the turning machine, the new Zeus roll marking system eliminates secondary operations and any consequent inaccuracies, eliminates tool changeover times, improves productivity, eradicates potential human error and mix ups with batches and reduces the cost per component.

The Zeus tooling range is available as a continuous rolling system (like knurling) or a spring return system that is designed for fast, precise and economic marking of turned components of different diameters where medium to large scale batches are produced.

The continuous roll marking technology from Zeus is custom built and adapted to the exact diameter of each individual workpiece. With a user friendly mounting design, operators can efficiently and easily change the rolls, so the tool can be used for a broad range of different markings and workpieces.

The continuous roll marking system has a diameter approximately 0.15mm smaller than the component diameter and rolls the pattern with multiple revolutions to guarantee high definition marking with perfect precision. With driving knurls on the roll, the revolving system delivers fast and extremely precise marking on all types of materials and components. The revolving system offers exceptional flexibility for the end user as the rolls can be flipped 180 degrees to provide marking in two directions. Additionally, customers can specify specialised markings such as logos, backslashes and patterns.

Complementing the continuous roll marking system, Hommel & Keller has developed its spring loaded design that incorporates a spring return design that is perfect for flexible marking of jobs that involve parts with various sizes and shapes. This enables the end user to rapidly and easily set the tool for different texts, numbers and characters right up to the shoulder of the workpiece. The flexibility of the spring loaded system enables the customer to generate the required impression by rolling only once or even partially to acquire the desired pattern.

This system does not require a perfect diameter match between component and roll and with three driving points it ensures impeccable marking quality.Unlike the continuous roll marking system, the spring loaded units require greater contact pressure as the required depth must be achieved in one revolution. The benefit of the spring loaded design is that it is suitable for batches of all quantities regardless how large or small and it can be applied to parts of all diameters and shapes.

Both roll types are available in a number of width and diameter options with additional designs available to accommodate the marking of chamfers and other non-uniform shapes.