Versatile milling cutter unveiled

Dormer Pramet’s Econ LN has been designed as a cost-effective, versatile milling option that is capable of supporting numerous operations in most materials while still producing high levels of surface finish.

Positive axial geometry on this universal 90° cutter allows for lower cutting forces and smoother machining in steel, cast iron, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals and hardened materials.
Econ LN cutters offer internal cooling capability close to the cutting edges, a combination of wiper inserts, secure clamping and reduced power consumption. Compatible with the cutter are Dormer Pramet’s LNGX 12 and LNMU 16 inserts, which provide four cutting edges. LNGX 12 inserts support helical interpolation, ramping and progressive plunging, while LNMU 16 inserts are said to deliver long tool life when machining steel and cast iron.
In a recent example in North America, an end user was face milling gas turbine end caps made of stainless steel on a large horizontal mill. An Econ LN 80 mm face mill with LNGX 12 insert allowed the customer to use a feed rate that was 44% higher than the previous option. The improved cutting data meant that the company ran the equivalent of three finished parts on the first edge, with the insert showing little-to-no wear. Furthermore, the Econ LN reduced cycle time by 18 minutes in this operation alone.
For further information www.dormerpramet.com

Chuck provides best pull-out security

Sandvik Coromant has released the CoroChuck 935 high-precision hydraulic chuck for turning operations that is said to offer the market’s best pull-out security.

With CoroChuck 935, Sandvik Coromant says that machine shops can confidently perform demanding turning operations, including those with long overhangs. In fact, CoroChuck 935 ensures that a clamping length of four times the bar diameter can be achieved. Developed for use on lathes, turning centres and multi-task turn-mill machines, the chuck covers most common machine interfaces.
The design principle behind the high level of security offered by CoroChuck 935 is based upon fulcrum technology. A thin, brazed membrane offers an optimised clamping function whereby expansion creates two distinct clamping points on each side (fulcrums). The concept is said to ensure that the clamping force repeats for every use.
Additional benefits of the new chuck include the use of EasyFix sleeves to provide the correct centre height and help reduce set-up time. EasyFix sleeves are a solution for cylindrical boring bars that sees a spring plunger (mounted in the sleeve) click into a groove on the bar to guarantee the correct centre height. In addition, the metallic sealing offers good performance in applications that require high-pressure coolant.
CoroChuck 935 is available in 20 and 25 mm bore sizes to suit Coromant Capto, HSK-A/C/T, cylindrical shank and VDI machine interfaces.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

Internal grooving systems feature coolant

Horn Cutting Tools has launched two grooving systems for the internal machining of bores. System 209 is intended for bores of diameter 16 mm and above, while system 216 machines bores greater than or equal to 20 mm diameter.

The two systems make use of tool holders with internal cooling. A robust shank with elliptical cross-section of the boring-bar neck ensures high-performance damping, says the company. The ground shanks, of g6 quality, are available in left- or right-hand design.
Coolant flows from a nozzle in the clamping finger and from the side of the tool holder. The two jets cool the cutting zone and remove chips from the inside of the workpiece.
Precision-sintered, indexable, two-edged inserts with cutting widths from 2 to 6 mm are available in geometries .5, .1A and .KF for cutting medium-strength materials. All three geometries are said to offer good chip control and targeted chip breaking, even on long-chipping materials.
System 209 tool holders with a shank diameter of 16 mm allow retraction distances of up to 30 mm in conjunction with a grooving depth of 3.5 mm. For bores with a diameter of 18 mm or above, a more stable shank diameter of 20 mm, also with a retraction distance of 30 mm, can be used to achieve a grooving depth of 5 mm. The 216 system tool holders, with a shank diameter of 20 or 25 mm, enable grooving depths down to 7 mm at a projection length of 2xD.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

New standard in drilling

Mapal says it has set a new standard in drilling with its Tritan-Drill range (featuring three cutting edges) which is being gradually expanded. For instance, a new universal version, made from HSS, has been specifically developed to maximise cost effectiveness in small-series production.

Thanks to the shape of its main cutting edge, the Tritan-Drill-HSS is robust, even in difficult drilling situations, says the company. Stable cutting edge corners mean that damage to the edge geometry is reduced, which allows for both greatly improved results and smooth machining. The coating of the Tritan-Drill-HSS is optimised for universal machining. As a result, the drill can be used for different materials while maintaining a long tool life, reports Mapal.
According to the company, the Tritan-Drill-HSS can achieve feeds up to 50% higher than twin-edged HSS drills, while at the same time has a tool life that is up to four times longer. Due to the special point geometry of the Tritan-Drill-HSS, piloting and centre-punching are not necessary. The tool can also be used on hand drills, with the pronounced drill tip preventing it from slipping over the chisel edge (in contrast to drills with two cutting edges).
Mapal’s Tritan Drill-HSS is available in a diameter range from 8 to 40 mm.
For further information www.mapal.com

Alitech races to success with ITC

As a subcontract machine shop, Alitech Precision is a company that is rapidly evolving, a fact credit to its aggressive investment programme, enthusiasm and love for all things motorsport. Since its inception little over three years ago, the Silverstone-based company has purchased three Haas machining centres, Open Mind CAM software, a Spinner five-axis machining centre and cutting tools from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC).

A recent example of the partnership between Alitech and ITC could be seen when it came to the profile machining of deep port pockets. Here, it was ITC that stepped up to the challenge with its lollipop cutters. The majority of projects undertaken by Alitech involve the complex, simultaneous five-axis machining of parts such as billet inlet manifolds, valve seats, inlet port heads, billet turbo manifolds and much more. Reaching deep into ports is a complex challenge for the machine tool kinematics, the CAM software, the cutting tools and tool holding. At the sharp edge are ITC 4101 lollipop end mills that permit Alitech to reach surfaces around corners and deep inside manifold ports.
Commenting upon the daily challenges at Alitech, managing director Darren Cudd says: “We recently machined a billet turbo manifold for a motorsport customer that required two 40 mm diameter oval shaped port holes with a curved machining depth beyond 200 mm. We used an 8 mm diameter ITC lollipop cutter necked to 5 mm that was protruding 70 mm from a slim 80 mm heat-shrink tool holder extension with a 75 mm long back-end configuration. The rigidity and geometry of the ITC lollipop tools ensure we attain an exceptional surface finish while machining at extremely productive speed and feed parameters.”
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk