Under the leadership of Mécachrome,Manufacturing'21(a commission of the French Mechanical Engineering Association), industrialists and academics gathered at theUppercut National Knowledge Network (RNC)on the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers to discuss cryogenic-assisted machining. Here is an overview of the working group's objectives and the challenges of cryogenic machining.
The aim of this first meeting was to set up a working group on cryogenic machining in France. From an academic perspective, the meeting was attended by those currently conducting research on this subject: the Arts et Métiers campusesin Angers and Cluny, the University of Tours, ENISE (National Engineering School of Saint-Étienne) and ENIT (National Engineering School of Tarbes), which wishes to join the project. Also present were CETIM and major contractors such as Air Liquide, Airbus,Mécachrome, Sandvik, and Safran.
Arts et Métiers key player in cryogenic machining in France
Arts et Métiers a key player in the field of cryogenic machining in France. "Four presentations were given by academics on the progress of this new technology in order to show manufacturers the benefits of such assistance," explains Gérard Poulachon, Head of RNC UpperCut."The stakes are high because it is highly likely that conventional lubrication of machining operations, using petroleum-based products, will soon be banned under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) standards," he continues. Cryogenic machining is not yet a mature technology, which is prompting academics to continue their research on this subject. Two theses are currently underway at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Cluny, and a thesis is about to begin at the Angers campus.
The implementation of these theses will enable us to maintain our lead in the field of cryogenic machiningat the national and international level.
Unlocking the scientific potential of this new technology
This working group has approved the creation of a consortium to work on this topic, called the "French cryo cut network ." In the short term (early September 2018), it will work on setting up three theses to continue developing the fundamental aspects of this new technology. The aim is to share the intellectual property of the results of this work between the laboratories and the industrial sponsors. "The creation of this working group will thus make it possible to remove the scientific barriers to this new technology, one of the challenges of the industry of the future and at the heart of the themes of Arts et Métiers," concludes Guénaël Germain, Senior Lecturer at the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers .
What is cryogenic machining?
During machining, the tool reaches very high temperatures, which causes rapid wear and defects on the part.
Cryogenic machining involves cooling the cutting area using a jet of liquid nitrogen (-196°C). This technique, which is still under development, is currently being industrialized by Mécachrome, a world leader in high-precision mechanics andanaerospacesubcontractor.
