Guhring dives into micro-milling

Guhring is extending its Diver series of end mills for the micro-machining sector. Coined by the company as the ‘smallest diver in the world’, the new RF100 Micro Diver end mills machine small components of any material.

Providing plunging and milling in a single tool, Guhring says that the RF100 Micro Diver permits very high cutting depths that until now, were beyond the realms of micro-precision cutting tools. Available in two variants, the 6808 and 6809, the RF100 Micro Diver features a symmetrical drilling face for stability when ramping and drilling, a new transition geometry to improve rigidity, and a novel flute form that further enhances rigidity and eliminates vibration.

The RF100 Micro Diver 6808 series is a three-flute solid-carbide end mill suitable for cutting materials up to 48 HRc at depths up to 2.5xD. With a 40° helix angle to evacuate chips from the work area when conducting high-speed machining, the 6808 series is available with a H5 4 or 6 mm shank diameter and a H8 cutting diameter from 0.79 to 3.175 mm (with a multitude of dimensional increments available).

For the machining of pockets and slots up to 5xD, manufacturers can select the longer 6809 series, which offers an overall tool length from 45 to 57.15 mm with a 5.00 to 15.87 mm cutting length.

From a tool life perspective, both end mills have an optimised geometry that adds strength and rigidity, while Guhring says that its new HIPIMS Durox coating enables end users to achieve a very high surface finish with optimal chip-removal rates.

For further information
www.guhring.co.uk

316 joins Go2

Go2 Engineering has acquired Peterborough-based stainless-steel fabrication specialist 316 Engineering. 316 offers nearly 20 years of experience and today employs 40 people. Michael Donachie will head-up the new management team. Donachie also leads as general manager at Go2 Engineering Group’s Gateshead-based steel fit-out specialist firm, Tech Projects. He will be supporting Clyde Stratton, operations manager, who after a few years away from 316 Engineering, has returned to the team.

For further information
www.go2engineering.co.uk

Universal micro-boring from Floyd

With the recent pandemic forcing more businesses to look at their costs, Floyd Automatic Tooling has given a UK launch to the MicroTurn eLine of boring tools from Ifanger. The MicroTurn eLine MTEE is an optimised universal boring tool that is 25% less expensive than Ifanger’s existing MTEC or MTEN tools.

Available as a right-handed boring tool in seven variants, the universal inserts are suitable for small-bore machining starting from 1.80 mm diameter. With the new eLine MTEE, the series incorporates a positive-cut 8° rake angle and a short neck length for rigidity and stability.

From a dimensional perspective, the MTEE line is available with a 4 or 6 mm diameter shank, and an overall length of 31 or 43 mm. Neck lengths range from 5 to 19.5 mm, while corner radii extend from 0.05 to 0.15 mm. MTEE-series inserts are currently available uncoated, which retains edge sharpness and precision when machining certain materials, and with a TiALN coating.

Complementing the MTEE line is the classic series of Ifanger boring inserts that incorporates the MTEC, MTEN, MTKE and MTKH boring and copying tools. For profiling applications, Ifanger has a diverse range of geometries and coatings to support manufacturers with all their threading, grooving, chamfering and axial plunging requirements.

Although the new MTEE line caters for the majority of small boring applications with the most commonly-used dimension ranges initially available, Floyd Automatic Tooling and Ifanger can customise this extensive range upon demand.

For further information
www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Heatrod acquires Graybar

Bolton-based electric-heating specialist Heatrod Industrial has acquired Wellingborough-based GrayBar Ltd, a manufacturer of products for the rail industry. Heatrod is part of Nibe Element (the world’s largest heating-element manufacturer) and represents Nibe in the UK. The acquisition will become part of the Nibe Rail group, working closely with the team at Denmark-based San Electro heat, one of Nibe’s specialist rail divisions. Graybar commands annual sales of circa £1.2m and a regular operating profit of 10%. The company collaborates closely with Network Rail and leading contractors.

For further information
www.heatrod.com

Additive Casting comes to DMC

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has struck a partnership with Enable Manufacturing, the UK-based start-up behind Additive Casting®. This novel process overhauls traditional casting with the help of additive manufacturing to deliver a modern, viable solution that embraces Industry 4.0 principles. Suitable for a variety of part complexities and sizes, the Additive Casting process is available in more than 130 different metals. Customers of Silverstone Park-based DMC can access the process from March onwards.

For further information
www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com