- Patented technology
- Convert common materials to tool materials
- Save on materials and process
The development of forming tools for manufacturing by forging, rolling, stamping, pressing (powder metallurgy) or cutting are usually carried out in steels known as “tool steels”, with high hardness and high wear resistance.
In order to reduce costs and speed up the tool manufacturing process while ensuring their dimensional precision and durability, AZTERLAN has developed the SOFTCLAD technology (patent protected) that offers:
- Development of forming tools based on other lower cost materials
- Energy savings thanks to the elimination of the hardening heat treatment (annealing)
- Reduction / elimination of surface oxidation caused by heat treatment
- Reduction of surface deformations caused by annealing treatment
- Savings in costly precision machining work on high hardness materials
The tool body can be made of steel or other cast materials that ensure easy initial machining and sufficient hardness for forming work.
Deposit of powdered steel whose chemical composition has been designed in order to favor the retention of austenite in the coating and its thickness responds to the specific characteristics of the work to be performed.
It favors the transformation of austenite into martensite, providing hardness to the coating. Unlike the annealing treatment, it avoids significant dimensional distortions and surface oxidation, as well as the need for new machining on an already hardened part.
“Solid state forming technologies gather a diverse group manufacturing means, materials and sectors with very different characteristics. However, they face common challenges associated with the incorporation of new materials, demanding production rates and increasing requests for the products they manufacture.
Developing components with advanced features, improving the useful life of manufacturing tools and addressing new markets and industrial applications are some of the areas through which we add value to the companies that design, manufacture and apply these components.”
