Cutters suit aluminium aerospace parts

With the MD266 Supreme solid-carbide milling cutter for the aerospace industry, Walter is launching a universal aluminium specialist. The tool is suitable for all roughing, semi-finishing and finishing operations in ISO N materials.

In the new range, Walter offers the uncoated MD266 Supreme (z2/z3) with centre cut and a reduced neck from 2 to 25 mm diameter. A radius at the end of the cutting edge minimises transition steps when wall finishing. According to Walter, this concept is why the milling cutter is suitable for machining deep pockets where slot milling or ramping has preceded in the process. The internal coolant with axial outlet from 6 mm diameter maximises lubrication and improves chip evacuation. As a result, long tool life is possible with minimal build-up on the cutting edge, thereby ensuring increased process reliability.

The high operational smoothness of the MD266 Supreme is the result of a 30° helix angle and low-vibration micro-geometry. These features are a particular advantage for users because high speeds are frequently accompanied by challenging conditions. Walter’s MD266 Supreme is specifically for machining wrought aluminium alloys, particularly in applications where the focus is on high power and high metal removal rates, as well as process reliability.

Examples include the machining of structural parts in the aerospace industry, as well as components in general engineering. MD266 Supreme is capable of full slotting and ramping and, alongside its high performance and process reliability, is impressive due to its suitability for universal applications.

For further information
www.walter-tools.com

Top engineering award

Manufacturing Technology Centre chief executive Dr Clive Hickman has received one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s most prestigious awards – the Sir Frank Whittle Medal. The academy said that Dr Hickman received the award – named after the inventor of the jet engine – in recognition of his outstanding career in the automobile industry and for leading the set-up and growth of two engineering research centres: the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Tata Motors European Technical Centre. Dr Hickman has been chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre for more than 11 years.

Said Dr Hickman: “I am honoured to be awarded the Sir Frank Whittle Gold Medal but I could not have achieved anything in my career without the help and support of the great teams that I have been privileged to work with. So I would like to thank all of my colleagues, friends and family for their continued support.”

For further information www.the-mtc.org

GM CNC expands network in Scotland

To further enhance its presence in Scotland, GM CNC has appointed the services of CNC Services (Scotland) Ltd, which will provide sales, service and maintenance support of the Victor brand of machine tools, as well as customer support and services for the company’s used machine division.

Lee Mezzetti, director of CNC Services (Scotland), says: “Scotland is renowned for its oil, gas and offshore industries that place heavy demands on machine tools. Having a diverse range of machines built for longevity with in-stock availability will be the perfect solution for manufacturers north of the border. Furthermore, GM is a leader in used machine tools. The facility to provide manufacturers with the best prices and service for their used machines in part exchange for new Victor machines will certainly aid companies in getting the best possible solution for their requirements.”

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

Sustainable manufacturing

Kyocera (Stand F12/G11, Hall 2) is exhibiting various new cutting tools for industrial machining, including the MFH Boost for high-feed milling up to 2.5 mm maximum depth of cut, new PCD tools for the electric vehicle market and new aerospace solutions. In view of a rapidly changing world and new challenges, Kyocera is expanding its portfolio of tools with an even more economic and sustainable approach. Thanks to new coating technologies, users can prolong tool life, while newly developed hybrid substrates, like latest cermet grades, can reduce the usage of carbide.

For further information
www.kyocera.co.uk

Panel bender

Salvagnini (Stand E07, Hall 5) will show its P2-2120 panel bender featuring the new CUT option to sequentially cut one or more profiles starting from a single notched sheet with different lengths. The new CUT option includes: a CUT blade, which lies on top of the lower bending blade of the P2 to make the separation cut of the bent profile; a cutting tool with a fixed composition that acts as the upper cutting blade; and a conveyor that transfers the cut part to the automatic shutter for manual extraction. Parts are made in multiples as they are associated on the same strip of material, which is bent and cut in a single process. This optimisation helps to increase overall process efficiency. In terms of feasibility, the CUT tool is advantageous for parts that are too small or too narrow for bending on a press brake.

For further information
www.salvagninigroup.com