Autofacer Automatic Back Boring and Back Spotfacing Tools

March 21, 2017
Autofacer Automatic Back Boring and Back Spotfacing Tools

The Autofacer from Steiner Technologies Inc. is a tool that allows the machinist to reach through a hole and machine a circular feature on the back side of the part automatically. By circular feature we might mean a spot face, counter bore, countersink, chamfer, spherical radius, or some combination thereof. This is accomplished by folding the cutting blade into the shaft of the tool body allowing the tool to pass into the part. Once the tool has entered the part the cutting blade is mechanically opened and cutting may begin.

The key design features of the Autofacer are:

  1. Friction type clutch that mechanically opens and closes the cutting blade ensuring high reliability of part processing.

  2. Cutting blades that are mechanically held open during cutting allowing Autofacer to perform heavy interrupted cuts.

  3. Autofacer body utilizes the part hole to support the tool while cutting. This enables the operator to run the Autofacer at carbide speeds and feeds even at long length-to-diameter ratios.

Autofacers cutting blades are available in many different configurations depending upon the customers’ application.

There are various activation methods available for the Autofacer, depending upon the customer’s specific application. The key considerations for activation method selection are the machine tool being used and production quantities. The company says its application engineers will select the appropriate method to ensure optimal performance.

Related Glossary Terms

  • countersink

    countersink

    Tool that cuts a sloped depression at the top of a hole to permit a screw head or other object to rest flush with the surface of the workpiece.