Rainford Precision is introducing two new brands to the UK: 6C Tools AG and BSQ Tech GmbH.

Unlike many other products on the market, micro-tools from 6C Tools are manufactured by laser ablation, a process that is particularly gentle for material removal compared with grinding or spark erosion. This method of manufacture avoids damage and significantly increases the wear resistance of 6C Tools, creating a potential 5-10 times tool life increase.

The 6C product catalogue covers several drilling, milling and threading tools, as well as tailored tools manufactured from PCD and PCBN. Designed specifically for machining challenging materials such as tungsten carbide and zirconium, the standard 6C portfolio introduces PCD drills, PCD end mills, PCD chamfer tools, PCD ball-nose mills and ball-nosed polishing tools, as well as a range of PCD thread mills.

The ability to machine such difficult materials with impressive tool life and productivity characteristics makes the 6C range suitable for manufacturers in the medical, electronics and jewellery industries, to name but a few.

For engineers looking to improve their productivity when machining aluminium, aluminium alloys, copper, brass, plastics, PEEK and all other non-ferrous metals, Rainford can now offer the SwissCeraMill series from BSQ Tech, which the company says can increase tool life from 5 to 25 times and improve productivity by 400% compared with conventional carbide cutting tools.

Manufactured from high-tech ceramic zirconium oxide with a micro-grain structure, SwissCeraMill end mills are available in square-end, corner-radius and ball-nose designations, along with special-purpose tools to suit the diverse needs of industry.

For further information
www.rainfordprecision.com

Vargus Tooling has launched its new series of MACH Supersonic Threading products, which incorporates a complete range of thread turning tools and thread milling products.

The patent-pending turning range features a comprehensive range of MACH TT external inserts and corresponding MACH TT tool holders. MACH TT external turning inserts cater for the complete threading spectrum. Each of the respective thread geometries incorporates an improved rake featuring a reinforced geometry which creates a strong insert design with a high resistance that permits cutting at higher speeds while simultaneously reducing the number of passes required, says Vargus.

Adding to this geometry is the new Vargus VK8 insert grade that combines an AlTiN and TiN PVD coating to give durability and performance on materials that range from steel and stainless, cast iron and non-ferrous materials, through to heat-resistant alloys and hardened steels.

Complementing the thread turning range is the new MACH TM thread milling range. Like the thread turning range, the MACH TM thread milling line is available in a complete range of thread geometries to cater for the demands of any machine shop. The solid-carbide thread mills incorporate an improved edge design with a reinforced geometry to allow cutting under high loads. In addition, a large core diameter increases the stability and strength of the MACH TM series to enable higher speed and feed rates.

Further enhancing the ability to cut at high feed rates is a design feature that includes a fourth flute to improve cutting performance and evacuate the swarf at speed. Assisting this tool design in removing chips from the work zone is a through-coolant facility that flushes swarf from the cutting edge.

For further information
www.vargusuk.co.uk

With the support of Ceratizit UK & Ireland, Techni has dramatically cut the time to market for its compressor mount kits used in van-based refrigeration and compressed air applications.

Typically, Techni machines the kit’s compressor brackets from SG iron castings, as normal batch sizes make this the most cost-effective method. However, driven by a significant increase in home deliveries due to the Covid pandemic, customers have demanded faster turnaround, and volumes in much lower numbers but more diverse configurations.

“In order to compete we needed to review our production methods to reduce lead times by as much as possible, and billet machining was the logical step,” explains Ali Kerr Techni’s manufacturing engineer who worked on the project.

To help with the work holding, tooling and methodology, Techni turned to preferred tooling supplier Ceratizit UK & Ireland.

With the billet gripped, up to 90% of the machining, both roughing and finishing, is carried out using a WNT CircularLine end mill featuring Ceratizit’s extremely wear resistant Dragonskin DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating. In the case of Techni, these 4 mm diameter five-flute cutters run at a conservative 450 m/min surface speed and 0.2 mm/tooth feed, with a 10-20% step over.

“The help we’ve received from Ceratizit on this project has been invaluable,” says Kerr. “We can now deliver finished machined parts to customers within a week if required, compared to four months for a new cast product. This gives us a valuable competitive edge with new customers. In future, with batch quantities up to 300, billet machining will offer a significant advantage, and we already have more parts lined up for billet machining.”

For further information
www.ceratizit.com