Turning line gets into the groove

As part of its AddForce global launch of next-generation cutting tools, Tungaloy is introducing AddInternalCut to its product portfolio. The company reports that the new AddInternalCut is an industry first, introducing four cutting edges on an internal grooving tool for precision turning and small part machining applications.

The R&D experts at Tungaloy have developed a clamping system that incorporates into the tool body to provide high levels of clamping rigidity, indexing repeatability and precision. AddInternalCut supports the four-edged insert in three positions, with each of the cutting edges protected by the new pocket design. Furthermore, this design allows end users to deploy the same insert on a right- or left-hand tool body.

Tungaloy’s AddInternalCut is available with a steel or carbide tool body featuring a necked relief of 24 or 30 mm to provide sufficient clearance and swarf evacuation. The round tool shanks also have 12 mm flats to correspond with everything from sliding-head turning centres to larger, more robust lathes, while the through-coolant tool bodies reduce vibration and chatter with an overall tool length of 100 or 125 mm, and an insert seat size of 10.

To ensure the new AddInternalCut is suitable for the widest possible number of applications, Tungaloy has developed the range with its CWN and CWX insert designations. The CWN is 1.5 mm wide with the heavier duty CWX being 2.5 mm wide. Depending upon the chosen insert geometry, AddInternalCut provides a protrusion for cutting at depths up to 2 mm. Both geometries are available in Tungaloy’s AH725 insert grade, which features a PVD coating to suit a wide variety of steels, stainless steels and challenging alloys, such as titanium. The tool is suitable for machining inside holes from 10.5 mm diameter upward.

For further information
www.tungaloy.com/uk

Reduce tool inventory costs with Seco

Manufacturers looking for versatility and precision in machining can pair up Seco Turbo 16 square-shoulder milling cutters and Helical Turbo 16 milling cutters to reduce tooling inventories and costs. According to Seco Tools, both series offer high material removal rates in steel, stainless steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals, superalloys and titanium. Scannable data matrix tags on the cutter inserts store product and batch information that the new Seco Assistant app can read.

Versatile Turbo 16 square-shoulder milling cutters deliver outstanding results and process security with exceptional ramping capability, reports Seco. Optimised insert pocket angles enhance the cut and deliver high surface finishes. With a high helix angle for smoother workpiece entry and exit, these cutters also feature efficient chip evacuation, while lower cutting forces reduce power consumption, tool wear and noise levels.

“Manufacturers can achieve production efficiencies and enhance machining performance with these tools in virtually any material,” says Michael Davies, global product manager – square-shoulder milling. The eco-friendly design uses corrosion-resistant steel with no nickel coating.

Next-generation Helical Turbo 16 milling cutters combine performance with ease of use, benefiting from a comprehensive range of Seco insert grades and geometries for high material removal rates (MRR) and extended tool life. The company says that larger cuts and higher feeds reduce cycle times and accelerate production, with optimised coolant channels, flutes and cutting rakes for stable machining and optimal chip formation.

“These features produce smoother cuts, longer tool life and more process reliability for faster production,” confirms Benoît Patriarca, global product manager – helical milling. “Helical Turbo 16 uses fewer inserts than equivalent tools that provide the same MRR.”

For further information
www.secotools.com

FANUC helps Mollart create automated cell

Robotics and automation expert FANUC UK has supported deep-hole drilling technology specialist Mollart Engineering in developing an automated three-machine production cell for an automotive customer in China. Designed to manufacture parts for pre-machined transmission shafts used in hydraulic gearboxes, the solution by FANUC and Mollart drills deep holes into shafts to a depth of 384 mm. Operating to a precision level of 0.2 mm at the start of the hole and within 0.3 mm of the deviation at the end of the hole, the production scale has an uptime efficiency of over 90%.

For further information
www.fanuc.eu

New grades for roughing stainless steel

A new generation of grades developed by Boehlerit for rough-turning stainless steels is available from Horn under a joint sales co-operation agreement between the two tool manufacturers. The tools are the result of innovations in carbide manufacture, insert coating and chip flow, with parameters finely tuned to create the new grades: BCP10T, BCP15T, BCP20T and BCP25T.

Horn says that all grades offer high performance and reliability throughout the entire turning process. Designated MRM, a special chip breaker with a modified chamfer suppresses a significant proportion of the vibration generated by the machining process to ensure reliable chip flow.

According to Horn, the new AlTiN PVD coating meets demanding temperature and toughness requirements, while its golden colour allows easy wear detection. The coating allows the machining of small diameter components, as it is capable of operating at low cutting speeds. In addition, the coating makes the grades suitable for turning when the tool is required to enter the material frequently.

With the new MRM chip breaker, Boehlerit has extended its ISO turning portfolio for medium to heavy roughing of stainless steels and can now offer indexable insert geometry for virtually any application. The chip breaker is an extension of the established BMRS geometry. Although the feed rate ranges are similar, MRM boasts a deeper rake angle, resulting in significant differences in micro-geometry. Boehlerit says this development reduces the cutting force, increases process safety and extends cutter life when machining hard stainless steels.

For further information
www.phorn.co.uk

Somers Forge buys A&B Richardson

Somers Forge has acquired A&B Richardson Engineering, which will continue to operate under the A&B Richardson Engineering name. The deal will allow Halesowen-based Somers Forge to build upon current machining capabilities, with it tripling the company’s CNC capacity. A&B Richardson Engineering, based in Oldbury, is a specialist in tool and die manufacture. The firm has continually invested in a variety of CNC machine tools, CAD design capabilities and welding technologies.

Somers Forge production director Alex Cross says: “Last year we made a £1m investment in a new CNC vertical boring machine that is helping us to manage capacity for a specific product range. However, we also recognised the need for greater capacity in CNC milling, so the acquisition of A&B Richardson was the perfect solution. The purchase has tripled our CNC machining capacity and further enhanced our capabilities, allowing us to continue offering competitive lead times and products of the highest quality.”

For further information www.somersforge.com