Breakthrough in CNC Turning Technology of Carbon Steel Forklift Chain Links: Double Improvement in Efficiency and Quality

Recently, a precision machinery manufacturing enterprise has made technological progress in the processing of carbon steel forklift chain links. By optimizing the CNC turning process, it has achieved a comprehensive upgrade of key parameters. This technology controls the amount of material removal through a numerical control program, enabling the surface roughness of the chain links to reach Ra1.6μm and increasing the fatigue strength by 40%. It has been applied to the high-load transmission system of electric forklifts. "The core of CNC turning of carbon steel forklift chain links lies in the design of the tool path." The process engineer demonstrated the processing simulation animation. Traditional turning is prone to generate vibration ripples, while the new solution adopts the strategy of "variable diameter turning + dynamic compensation". The diameter fluctuation is monitored in real time through a laser displacement sensor, and the spindle speed is automatically adjusted to ensure that the roundness tolerance is controlled within 0.02mm. "This is equivalent to installing an 'adaptive brain' for the machine tool." To improve the processing efficiency, the team has developed a combined tool system. The machining of the outer circle, end face, and chamfer can be completed in one clamping, reducing the tool change process three times compared with the traditional process. "The comprehensive efficiency has increased by 65%," the project leader introduced. By optimizing the coolant injection angle, the tool life has been extended to 800 pieces per time, further reducing the cost per piece. A forklift manufacturing enterprise has reported that for the vehicle models using the new chain links, during the 400-hour intensive test, the meshing noise of the sprocket has decreased by 12dB, and the transmission efficiency has increased by 3%. "Customers are particularly satisfied with the stability under high-load working conditions," the quality director said. The product repair rate has been reduced to less than 0.3%. The enterprise has established a complete processing database for carbon steel chain links, covering the cutting parameters of different specifications. The technical team revealed that they are developing a virtual verification system based on digital twin, and in the future, AI optimization of process parameters can be achieved. "This will promote the intelligent transformation of CNC turning of carbon steel forklift chain links." With the maturity of this technology, the precision processing capacity of core components of forklifts in China is expected to be greatly improved, providing more reliable transmission solutions for high-end equipment such as new energy forklifts and AGV robots.