Project Using Marposs' Artic CTM Wins a 2020 HFTA from Ford

Marposs’ Artis CTM Tool and Process Monitoring System played a role in a 2020 Henry Ford Technology Award (HFTA)-winning program focused on Torque Monitoring of Gear Machining Processes. The Marposs monitoring solution, one of 14 projects receiving this award, helped Ford to improve its tool life by 30 to 80 percent for approximately 25 percent ROI.

The Artis CTM solution used the power draw of the hob-cutting spindle to predict tool wear and signal tool change when the draw met programmed power limits. Spindle power was correlated to hob-cutter wear and used to optimize the number of cutting cycles prior to cutter change. In addition to tool life, the monitoring system helped to detect machine degradation in workholding, hob collet clamping and outboard support bearin, as well as detect incoming gear blanks with oversized bores that would cause part slippage and scrap. Ford has applied the monitoring solution across all of its transmission facilities.

The HFTA awards offer global recognition of technical achievements that have been implemented into Ford products by its employees, with areas including research, business process and methodology, product development and manufacturing.