Site 2 is UFS’s advanced technology hub. Created in the late 1990s as a comparative testing center, it has evolved over time to become the heart of Research & Development, with specific expertise in geometries, materials and coatings for taps.
Role in the production cycle
Site 2 plays a strategic role in the continuous improvement of tool performance.
Here, the following are developed, tested and validated:
- new geometries
- cutting profile optimizations
- dedicated solutions for critical materials
- high-performance surface treatments
The constant interaction between design, production and R&D makes it possible to guarantee reliable, repeatable and high-performance tools.
In-house PVD coatings
Since 2010, Site 2 has housed the area dedicated to plasma coatings (PVD), a key element for high-productivity automatic machining.
The main coatings produced in-house include:
- Chromium Nitride (CrN)
- Titanium Nitride (TiN)
- Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN)
- Titanium Aluminium Nitride (TiAlN)
Each coating is calibrated according to the required performance: wear resistance, thermal stability, chip evacuation and service life in series production.
In-house coating production ensures:
- superior quality
- greater repeatability
- reliable delivery times
- complete integration with central I4.0 planning
Testing and metrology laboratory
Site 2 houses metrology laboratory C, with a testing room dedicated to functional verification and the service life of coated tools.
Activities include:
- comparative tests
- surface analysis
- dimensional checks
- service-life tests under real conditions
- validation of new projects
The development cycle follows a continuous process: design, test, correct, validate.
Expertise and added value
Site 2 combines:
- the experience of designers
- the laboratory’s analysis capabilities
- the application know-how developed in production
- direct proximity to customers during critical phases
This integrated approach is one of the distinguishing features of UFS R&D.