XYZ ends 2017 on a high

XYZ Machine Tools closed out 2017 by posting an increase in order intake for the eight months from May to December.

The company’s UK order book grew by more than 23% in this period, while orders from the rest of Europe rose by 19%. XYZ managing director Nigel Atherton says: “2017 ended very strongly for XYZ and, with the new machine developments already announced, along with several other introductions that will be unveiled at MACH, we are looking forward to 2018 continuing the positive trend.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Tool management services offered on cloud

Cutting-tool specialist Mapal now offers its Tool Management services based on the c-Com cloud platform, a product of c-Com GmbH. Tool Management 4.0 is designed to provide an overview of all data and inventory movement, as well as costs.

Digitalisation opens up a world of new opportunities relating to tool management. Data and information is today available to all process stakeholders in a transparent and consistent fashion. As a result, the entire process is more efficiently structured. Mapal uses the c-Com open cloud platform, upon which it offers digital tool management services to give companies a functional and group-wide technology database. As a result, transparency and complete cost control are available to customers at all times; as are supplier’s prices, conditions and production dates, all of which are available in real time via c-Com. Where previously, individual lists with limited access were used, data is now consistent and transparent.
With Tool Management 4.0, customers have access to automatic analyses of data concerning delivery dates, current stock levels, tool reconditioning status and tool costs per component. Furthermore, technology transfer is made easier, while process parameters such as tool life and cutting values are managed at a central location and can be accessed by the customer’s manufacturing and planning departments, for example. This exchange can occur within a specific plant or across several sites.
For further information www.mapal.com

Y-axis parting aids stability

Sandvik Coromant has unveiled a new blade for its CoroCut QD parting-off system, which in combination with new process methodology, improves the tool’s stability by realigning the resultant cutting force. Among the benefits said to be available are improved productivity, enhanced surface quality and reduced noise levels.

In conventional parting-off tool configurations, the capability of feed motion in the XZ plane is an inherent limitation. When performing parting operations, the resultant vector of cutting forces is inevitably directed sharply across the tool’s cross-section, leading to high loads and potential deformation.
As a remedy for the situation, Sandvik Coromant has developed a solution that takes advantage of capability in modern turning centres and multi-task machines to feed the tool in the Y direction. In the new concept, the top face of the insert is placed parallel to the end of the blade, as if rotating the insert seat 90° anti-clockwise. The new blade cuts its way into the workpiece with its front end, which roughly aligns the resultant vector of cutting forces with the longitudinal axis of the blade. FEM analysis confirms that this process eliminates the critical stresses typical to conventional blades and increases blade stiffness by six times compared with standard designs. With enhanced stiffness, customers can increase feed rates or use a longer overhang without losing stability.
The new CoroCut QD blades come in widths of 3 and 4 mm. Standard length versions (in both 3 and 4 mm widths) are offered for parting up to 120 mm diameter, as well as an extra-long 4 mm wide blade for parting up to 180 mm diameter.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

Drills offer 140% more life

A re-engineered drill range from Seco Tools is said to increase tool life by 140%. The company’s Perfomax indexable-insert drills feature a new flute design with special anti-friction surfaces and laser-hardened fronts (60 HRc) that provide added strength, stability and accuracy.

Furthermore, the flutes have larger helixes, centre chip areas and smoother chip-flute exits, while an engineered wave pattern helps minimise contact between chips and flute surfaces. The new design also features a larger radius at the bottom of the drills’ insert pockets for extra rigidity.
Ultimately, Perfomax drills generate shorter chips that can be evacuated quickly and thereby reduce the risk of chip jamming’ which, if left unchecked, can damage the workpiece and have a negative impact on process security.
Seco’s DS2050 and DS4050 insert grades, which are recommended for use with the new Perfomax drills, are suited to drilling heat-resistant materials like titanium and titanium alloys. These grades, with their recently developed free-cutting MP and MC geometries, help increase productivity and extend insert life, says the company.
Perfomax drill bodies are available in a range of diameters from 15 to 59 mm, and in length to diameter ratios of 2xD, 3xD, 4xD and 5xD. Compatibility is offered with most spindle interfaces.
For further information www.secotools.com

Milling inserts come in seven grades

AMXT inserts with a choice of seven substrate grades and three chip-breaker geometries have been developed by Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal to meet specific demands where lower powered machines or less stable application conditions are encountered. Each insert has a high rake featuring a curved wave form to the cutting edge. With greater insert width, this design creates a more stable seating to support the cutting action.

The seven grades: ACP100, 200 and 300; ACK200 and 300; and ACM 200 and 300, can cut to depths of up to 5 mm. ACP100 has the latest Sumitomo ‘FF’ CVD coating, giving wear and thermal resistance in the high-speed and light cutting of steel. Sumitomo’s ACP200 uses the company’s ‘Super ZX’ PVD coating on a carbide substrate, which is said to enable milling 1.5 times faster than conventional inserts. ACP300 also has Super ZX coating and is designed for use under more arduous roughing applications.
ACK200 grade with its ‘Super FF’ CVD coating is for use in general machining tasks (including interrupted cuts) involving grey and ductile cast irons. ACK300, which is coated with Super ZX, provides a solution able to generate even greater levels of productivity.
Sumitomo’s ACM200 is coated with Super FF to provide high orders of wear resistance when machining PH stainless steels, while ACM300 is first choice (with its Super ZX coating) when balanced wear and fracture resistance is required.
The AXMT inserts can be paired with Sumitomo’s new WEX Type 1000 cutter bodies for 90º shoulder-milling applications. In fact, pocketing, helical boring, slotting, shoulder milling and ramping cycles can be carried out with the same tool, says the company.
For further information www.sumitomotool.com