From Constant Changes to Uninterrupted Runs: How Ajax Precision Doubled Tool Life with Carbide Flats
The Challenge: Ajax Precision, a mid-sized contract manufacturer specializing in high-mix, low-volume aerospace components, faced a persistent bottleneck. Machining heat-resistant superalloys like Inconel was grueling on their tooling. They experienced severe notch wear and thermal cracking, leading to tool changes every 45-60 minutes. This not only hurt productivity but also introduced variability in the precision of their critical finishing passes.
“We were walking a tightrope,” says Maria Chen, Lead Process Engineer at Ajax. “We’d dial back parameters to save the tool, but then cycle times suffered. Or we’d push for speed and risk a catastrophic failure that could scrap a valuable part. The inconsistency was our highest cost.”
The Solution: Ajax partnered with Carbide Flats for a targeted trial on their most challenging job: a complex Inconel 718 turbine housing. The Carbide Flats engineering team recommended their CF-718 specific grade, featuring enhanced thermal resistance and a reinforced edge preparation for tough materials.
