ITC expands trochoidal tool range

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has once again extended its trochoidal milling portfolio with the introduction of the new 6054 end-mill series. Complementing the depth of the company’s four- and five-flute trochoidal ranges, ITC has now expanded its six-flute range with the arrival of the 6054 series.

Developed specifically for the machining of steel and exotic material types, the 6054 series offers manufacturers a long flute length for reaching into pockets and difficult-to-reach surfaces. The company says that the geometry of the 6054 series provides end users with a robust and stable platform which instils confidence when undertaking extended-length machining with high material removal rates. Furthermore, the latest end mills have a centre-cutting geometry with harmonic fluting to maximise material removal rates.

Swarf evacuation comes courtesy of effective chip breakers. The 6054 series has a square-end geometry for 90° machining in corners, with a corner radius range also available. The corner radius tools with 0.25. 0.5, 0.75 or 1 mm radius prevent edge chipping and prolong tool life.

ITC’s six-flute series is available with diameter options of 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20 mm, with a length of cut from 18 mm on the 6 mm diameter tool, through to 60 mm on the 20 mm diameter end mills. To provide long reach, the 6054 series is available with an overall tool length from 75 to 150 mm depending upon the diameter selected. Rigidity and performance get a boost with a shallow chip gullet that guarantees core strength for high material removal rates and stability. Complementing this feature is the polished harmonic flutes and Cupro coating that work in synergy with the chip-breaker design to evacuate chips at high rates.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Smarter digital manufacturing guide available

Digital transformation specialist LMAC Consulting has partnered with EAMA (Engineering & Machinery Alliance) to create a free-to-download Industry 4.0 guide. The guide summarises the different pillars of Industry 4.0, the impact they have on costs and KPIs, as well as giving practical examples. EAMA secretary Jack Semple says: “This insightful guide is fit-for-purpose and offers long-overdue help and advice after the delays caused by Brexit and Covid-19. It’s both a training and education solution that gives quick productivity improvement wins, but also the longer term framework for sustainable change.
Download the guide at www.bit.ly/3d9ECaS

New sales manager at Leadwell agent

With effect from the start of August 2022, Graham Cherry is the UK sales manager of WH-Lead, the sole sales and service agent in the British and Irish markets for the Taiwanese-built Leadwell range of vertical machining centres and CNC lathes. An established figure in the machine tool industry, Cherry has spent recent decades progressing through numerous well-known machine tool subsidiaries and agencies, always in sales and marketing roles. He also has experience of the carbide cutting tool industry.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to bring my long experience of CNC technology, particularly five-axis prismatic machining, to promoting and selling the Leadwell brand,” says Cherry. “Everything is in place to allow that to happen, including six new machines in stock in Towcester, with more on the way, alongside good applications engineering support and excellent service.”
For further information www.wh-lead.co.uk

New bore and keyway machining service

Buck & Hickman, a UK supplier of industrial MRO products and services, has launched a new fast and flexible bore and keyway machining service. This latest addition to the company’s services has seen new bore, keyway and grub-screw machinery installed, operated by experienced in-house engineers. Now, Brammer Buck & Hickman can rework products to suit specific requirements and within a short timeframe. The new service encompasses horizontal and vertical adaptations; the greatest demand will likely by machining customer bores and keyways into pilot-bored products such as sprockets and couplings.
For further information www.bit.ly/3d85uYN

Latest chip breaker for machining aluminium

Widia has added an AL geometry insert to its ISO turning portfolio, strengthening its offering of affordable tooling solutions for small to medium sized shops machining aluminium and non-ferrous materials. The AL geometry insert is available in two grades for increased machining versatility: an uncoated micro-fine carbide WU10HT grade and the WU05PT PVD AlTiN coated grade. Each grade is available in all popular styles, including C, D, R, T, and V inserts to increase customer tooling options.

In addition to enhanced product versatility from multiple grade and style offerings, the AL geometry insert offers additional benefits. For instance, a highly polished rake face improves chip flow, resulting in shorter set up times due to less manual retrieval of chips following each cut. The periphery ground insert also features a sharper cutting edge to increase overall tooling precision and reduce cutting forces. Reliable tooling performance means customers can dedicate more time to machining and less time to secondary deburring operations because of the reduction in built-up edge.

“The AL geometry portfolio offers tooling versatility when machining different components and workpieces, while also providing more precise and reliable machining performance,” says Anil Kumar, Widia global turning portfolio manager. “By focusing on both tooling performance and value, we’re helping our customers maximise their return on our products.”

Versatile, reliable, and cost-effective – Widia says that its AL geometry is a universal solution for machine shops seeking lower cutting forces, extended tool life and greater tooling productivity when machining a variety of non-ferrous workpiece materials, particularly aluminium. Customers can place orders for the new AL inserts and other Widia metal-cutting tools through any authorised distribution partner.
For further information www.widia.com