Floyd Automatic Tooling is the new UK and Ireland distribution partner for German cutting tool brand JBO, a specialist in precision tools for manufacturing and checking threads.

Established in 1849, the JBO brand encompasses: thread-milling cutters; shell-type thread milling tools and combination tools; PCD, CVD and CBN tools; thread-cutting dies and rolling dies; and precision thread gauges.

With such an expansive range of options, Floyd Automatic will be paying particular attention to thread mills, threading dies and thread gauges. With more than 80 pages in the JBO thread milling catalogue, the options now available from Floyd Automatic are extensive.

As an overview of the thread-milling options, JBO manufactures tools for all metric, metric fine, Whitworth, UNC, UNF, UN, UNJF and NPT requirements, plus a host of other thread-form designations. Within the thread geometries, Floyd can offer everything from standard solid-carbide thread mills to tools with chamfers, special tools, coated tools for challenging materials, and combination tools from M1 upwards.

The threading dies come in all recognised thread designations and pitches, with solid-carbide, coated, high-precision solutions and thread-rolling options. Also available are special dies with projected noses for confined spaces, re-cutting dies, split dies, special dies for external threads inside bores, bell-form dies for cutting two dies simultaneously, deburring tools for cross-drilled holes, and coated or uncoated elastic thread-cutting dies.

JBO also has a large range of precision thread gauges to match. Indeed, the company has more than 10,000 different thread dimensions and tolerance bands from 0.5 to 300 mm available for quick delivery to UK manufacturers via Floyd Automatic. The thread gauges include go and no-go gauges, box sets of plug and ring gauges, extended thread length gauges and the Multicheck range of digital gauges.

For further information
www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Widia is launching its WCE solid-carbide end-mill platform, which the company says delivers affordable performance and reliability for small to medium sized machine shops. The initial release of the WCE platform features WCE4, a four-flute geometry that, according to Widia, combines advanced, high-performance features with a new versatile grade offered at a highly competitive price.

“With its new design, the WCE4 delivers the next generation of versatile end mills to help customers be more productive and efficient,” says Tamir Sherif, solid end milling global portfolio manager at Widia. “The WCE4 is an attractively priced tool for small-to-medium shops where reliability and consistent tool life are high priorities.”

Two key features of the tool are its asymmetrical index and variable helix. The combination of the two reduces vibration and enables heavy cuts, while the new grade, WU20PE, enables versatility in applications involving steel, stainless steel and cast iron workpieces. These design features, coupled with the four-flute geometry, deliver an end mill with reliable performance and application versatility, even in demanding operations such as full slots and heavy cuts, reports Widia.

The WCE platform includes four-flute, square-end and ball-nose end mills with both straight and Weldon shanks, and is available in both metric and imperial dimensions. Widia will release WCE5 five-flute geometry later in 2022. Orders for the WCE4 end mill, as well as other Widia tooling for metal-cutting applications, can be placed through Widia authorised distribution partners.

For further information
www.widia.com