Autofacer BASIC PRINCIPLES:

The Autofacer is a tool that allows the machinist to reach through a hole and machine a circular feature on the back side of the hole. By circular feature we might mean a spotface, counterbore, countersink, chamfer, spherical radius, or some combination thereof. This is accomplished by folding a blade into the shaft of the tool. Once the shaft, or body, has ingressed through the hole the blade is unfolded and machining may begin.

On the basis of that introduction, there are two basic variations of Autofacer -- those that fold the blade into the shaft radially, our standard series of Autofacer, and those that fold the blade into the shaft axially, our extended range series of Autofacer (sometimes referred to as the jacknife tool).

What follows are the various methods used to open and close the blade, known as "activation methods." We offer several activation methods which provide us with the ability to more precisely match a tool's characteristics to the customer's application. For example, if you have a short-run job and require a cost effective tool we can supply one of our bump style tools. On the other hand, if you have a high-volume job and require high productivity and durability we can supply a torque-bar activated tool. Here is a list of our various activation methods:

• Cone Activation, also called "Bump Style"
• Extended Cone Activation
• Inertia Activation, also called "Flywheel Tool"
• Torque Bar Activation (uses an arrestor rod the same as a tapping attachment)
• Fluid Power Activation (uses through-the-spindle coolant or air pressure)

Also, the Autofacer is a cutting tool and that means that it uses blades. The blades are mounted in the tool shaft and can be removed and replaced. These can be supplied in various grades of tungsten-carbide or PCD tipped carbide. Blade configurations include integral brazed cutting tips and also cartridge holders with indexable inserts.

Of course there are various cutting blade geometries that may be selected to suit the application and, as was mentioned above, various cutter profiles that may combine two or more features, such as a counterbore, corner radius, and inside hole chamfer. Please note that several coatings are offered that enhance the cutter's performance and/or durability, especially when machining high temperature alloys such as stainless steel, Hasteloy, Inconel, and Titanium.

Here is a brief list of the most common cutter options that we offer:

• C2 Carbide (General Purpose)
• C5 Carbide (Most Irons and Steels)
• Micro-Grain Carbide (High Temperature Alloys and SST)
• Carbide with Poly-Crystalline Diamond (PCD) Tip
• TiCN Coating (Titanium Carbo-Nitride)
• TiALN Coating (Titanium Aluminum-Nitride)

The list above is not intended to be complete. We will always examine the application and offer the solution that our experience indicates to be optimal and are receptive to a customer's expertise and recommendations.

R. Steiner Technologies prides itself upon our innovation which is displayed in the range of models and options that we offer, enabling us to match the right tool to the customer's application requirements. As such we do not expect the customer to be an expert at selecting the best Autofacer solution for their needs. Instead we encourage our customers to provide us with the basic technical information that describes their machining application and we will then match the best solution and offer a quotation.

To simplify matters for you, we provide a Quote Request Form, that simplifies the gathering of the technical information that we need.