Extended Life Microtooling by Advanced Coating Technology (ELMACT)

ELMACT will exploit its novel developments in nanostructured coatings & state-of-the-art laser processing to extend the life and facilitate the re-conditioning & re-use of hard-metal and other alloy micro-tooling, more specifically micro-mills and drills used in demanding machining applications, such as the machining of intricate patterns in hardened die steel moulds, the direct machining of micro-scale features in difficult- to-machine alloy components, composites, etc. The project will develop and pioneer the application of laser assisted sol-gel coating technology on micro-tools of micro- grain carbide substrates. ELMACT will benefit its industrial partners, which encompass the complete value chain, by improved tool performance, and by providing optimised machining conditions and reduced costs. It will reduce the partners' demand for materials, such as heavy metals, that are of increasing strategic importance. The University of Manchester will increase understanding of the use of coated micro-tools and develop specific IPR in the area of femto-second laser technology as applied to sol-gel coating technology, shot peening and re-shaping of micro-tools.