Introduced by Tungaloy is the company’s new TungForceFeed small diameter high-feed milling cutter. With a tool diameter range from 8 to 16 mm, the TungForceFeed caters for a diameter range smaller than the existing DoFeed series.

Aimed at the mould and die industry, and general machining applications, the TungForceFeed is available with both a high-feed insert and an R2 insert line that can be applied to machining a diverse range of materials, from alloy steel, stainless and hardened steels, through to cast iron, titanium alloys and heat resistant alloys such as Inconel and Hastelloy.
Tungaloy’s high-feed insert is suitable for general high-feed milling applications and subcontract machine shops, while the R2 insert designation is designed for full profiling and semi-roughing to semi-finishing processes. R2 inserts have a free-cutting geometry that eliminates chatter and improves surface finishes, along with a built-in wiper that reduces burr formation. Applying the latest PremiumTec coatings, the inserts are offered in Tungaloy’s AH3225 and AH8015 grades. The AH3225 incorporates a multi-layer nano coating that is said to optimise cutting-edge integrity and increase wear, fracture and oxidation resistance. AH8015 has a hard coating layer that improves performance on difficult to machine materials, reports Tungaloy.
Especially prominent in high-feed machining applications is the design of the toolholder, which is suitable for shoulder milling, slotting, ramping, plunging and helical feed drilling. The toolholder pockets are designed with a positive inclination that works in synergy with the thick corner inserts. Supporting this feature, the toolholders have a robust M2 screw that reduces screw neck shearing, which can be commonplace during high cutting force applications.
For further information www.tungaloy.com/uk

A solution has been developed by Mapal for producing the small connecting pin bore on automotive connecting rods.

The newly developed tool is suitable for wet or MQL machining operations, on transfer lines or machining centres.
Within automotive engines, connecting rods are highly stressed components. To take account of downsizing trends and the reduction of CO2 emissions, connecting rods are also becoming increasingly lighter. Indeed, the combination of high-strength materials and modern production processes has seen modern connecting rods change shape and dimension.
During the machining of connecting rods, the small connecting pin bore is a particular challenge. Depending on the geometry, there are completely different drilling situations that cater for the connecting rod’s forms, flats and conical/spherical surfaces. Especially for this type of machining, Mapal has developed a modular tool concept for drilling from solid with indexable inserts. The introduction of radially integrated, sintered indexable inserts – each with four cutting edges – can now be applied to such operations.
Mapal has designed the indexable inserts and chip spaces to meet the special requirements of the different drilling applications. The insert materials and composition have also been adapted. Among other things, the newly developed CVD coating is applied to combine the previously opposing high ductility and high wear resistance parameters. As a result, there now exists the potential to machine at significantly higher cutting speeds than before.
The tool body of the range is made from an optimised material that produces significantly less vibration. Furthermore, a central coolant supply in the holder ensures the optimum provision of coolant directly to the cutting edges.
For further information www.mapal.com