The new tool is specially coated using physical vapour deposition, a material that is significantly harder than tungsten carbide. Carter states that it is the only commercially available aerospace bearing cutting tool designed for the challenges present in removing Inconel 718 bearings.
FAA/EASA 145 engine and component repair stations, OEMs, airlines and the military working with Inconel 718 bearings all know the limitations of currently available bearing removal tooling, and of the expense involved in frequently replacing cutting tools when these style bearings need to be removed or installed. As Inconel 718 is a nickel-based precipitation-hardening alloy, only particular tools will be effective. Now, with the advent of Carter’s new UNASIS tool (originally designed for use both in and around the CFM56-B and V2500 engines but equally at home on other fitments), engineers have a bearing removal and installation tool that can readily cope with extensive use on Inconel 718 bearings on almost all aircraft both fixed wing and rotary.
The new UNASIS Aerospace Bearing Cutting Tool is part of a complete Kit: a useful package that includes a tri-roller swaging tool, a specialist cutting tool, an installation and removal tool, a proof load test tool and breakaway torque tool. This ensures the entire job can be simply accomplished with custom engineered and kitted tooling. Equally good news from Carter is that the new UNASIS tools can be specified for use with either a drill press or completely portable and hand-held, thus offering users significant operational flexibility. The new tool allows users to cut a relief onto the V-groove in Inconel 718 bearings so that the bearing can be pressed out without damage to the housing, and, in the event of technical challenges arising, Carter provides a first-class response to UNASIS customers in need of application assistance or advice.
Commenting on the launch of the new UNASIS Inconel 718 tool, Erick Sloan, UNASIS Lead Engineer for the Americas said: “This unique new tool has been in the pipeline for some time as we developed and refined the materials technology necessary to work with bearings manufactured from Inconel 718. Our new tool and its associated kit will hold special appeal for operators who are already doing their own repairs on engine mounts, and those who are sending their engine mounts out to a third party. The introduction of our new UNASIS Aerospace Cutting Tool allows users to bring Inconel 718 bearing replacement operations in-house and under their own direct control. Carter specialises in helping companies achieve this by providing the correct tools to make it an effortless and logical progression as they expand their business capabilities.”
