Thread mills with anti-vibration technology

Unstable conditions and long overhangs often lead to vibration, poor thread surfaces and even fractures during thread-milling processes. With the TC630 Supreme orbital thread milling cutter, Walter is presenting the first solid-carbide thread milling cutter with DeVibe anti-vibration technology.

Incorporating an anti-vibration land on the flank face, the tool is stabilised during machining, thus suppressing vibration. The patent-pending DeVibe technology ensures excellent operational smoothness and enables usable lengths up to 4xDN, which is suitable for small threads, long overhangs, unstable conditions or difficult materials.

In these difficult areas of machining, creating and maintaining dimensional accuracy is also desirable which, according to Walter, is where the cutter’s overall design and geometry deliver results. With only one row of cutting edges engaged at a time, the design addresses tool deflection to ensure the thread remains cylindrical. The moderate number of teeth also enables a high feed per tooth, enhancing the wear resistance already created by the carefully selected cutter substrate and coating.

The Supreme milling cutter for blind-hole and through-hole threads has a broad application range that covers all ISO materials up to 48 HRc. Metric thread sizes from M1.6 to M20 are in the standard programme, while also in the range are cutters for metric fine pitch threads, UNC, UNF and STI UNF. The latter is primarily suited to aerospace applications.
With the TC630 Supreme, users can take advantage of a range of benefits, such as a high level of process security and reliability in unstable machining operations. This ensures its suitability for lathes with driven tools, long-overhang applications or instances where reliable chip removal is required – even in deeper thread applications where the optional internal coolant (from M5) applies.

For further information
www.walter-tools.com

Report reveals hidden cost of accidents

Organisations may be unwittingly paying the price for poor health and safety practices in the workplace, a new report suggests. While accidents that cause injuries, absences, compensation claims and fines are known to be costly, employers are not always aware that a poor safety culture can also impact staff morale, productivity, turnover and, ultimately, their bottom line.

Seton, a health and safety solutions provider, has published a new report highlighting the benefits of prioritising employee safety, with insights from experts in personal injury law and HR. Across the UK, almost 700,000 people suffered a non-fatal workplace injury in 2019/20, while 142 were killed in 2020/21 (according to HSE statistics). These numbers are clearly devastating for workers and their families, but it also comes at a cost of £5.6bn per year to individuals, employers and the government – or around £1.7m per fatal injury and £8800 per non-fatal injury. However, according to Seton, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

For further information https://is.gd/utenaf

CCA could offset rising energy costs

Manufacturers of sheet metal components, forgings, fasteners and cold-rolled sections can get vital support to help them cope with soaring energy costs according to a sector trade body. The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) has received notification from the Environment Agency that the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme has reopened to new entrants, but firms only have until 31 March to stake their claim.

Thousands of businesses – already struggling with supply chain disruption and the aftermath of the pandemic – could be eligible for a discount of up to 100% of the tax they will be paying on their gas and electricity bills. Bosses at the CBM made the rallying call in a bid to raise awareness among companies that did not know the change of rules could help them benefit from the discount on the Climate Change Levy while the replacement scheme is under consultation.

For further information www.thecbm.co.uk

ITC launches Widia M1600 face mill

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has introduced the new Widia M1600 face-mill series for roughing to semi-finishing operations in steel, stainless steel, cast iron and nodular iron materials. With 16 cutting edges and a novel insert design, Widia says that the M1600 performs exceptionally well under various machining conditions, including those with low power, unstable set ups and long overhangs.

“Face milling is one of the most common machining operations, so we designed a versatile and cost-effective solution that delivers substantial improvements concerning metal removal rates in steel and cast iron for our customers,” says Anna Kim, Widia’s indexable milling global portfolio manager. “The M1600 represents a turnkey solution for general engineering, energy and automotive customers who want to reduce their face-mill inventory and increase their machining outputs.”

The 16-edge, precision-ground insert with positive geometry facilitates low cutting forces and low power consumption, resulting in higher tool life and attractive cost per edge, reports Widia. Notably, the M1600 has one universal insert geometry in three versatile grades: WP35CM, WK15CM and WU20PM. The WP35CM grade targets all types of steels, while WK15CM is for cast-iron materials and performs best in dry applications but is also suitable for wet conditions. The universal WU20PM grade is for the machining of steel, stainless steel and high-temperature alloys, in both dry and wet face-milling applications.

The ‘smart’ insert design features a seating surface below the cutting edge that promotes smooth chip flow and reduces cutting forces on the tool. The insert also has a curved cutting edge and is axially positive, resulting in reduced power consumption. M1600 face mills are available in six metric diameter ranges between 50 and 160 mm.

For further information
www.itc-ltd.co.uk

XYZ strengthens sales team

XYZ Machine Tools has appointed Martyn Jones to the position of area sales manager. Jones is making a return to the company after a 12-month break, during which he continued his excellent track record of selling machine tools. However, a chance encounter highlighted the opportunity to return to XYZ Machine Tools and he grabbed it with both hands having recognised that making the sale was just part of the overall picture and that he was missing greater involvement and autonomy.
“Basically, I forgot how fulfilling it was to work with a customer from initial enquiry, completing the demonstration myself in many cases and getting involved with training the operators when required,” he says. “All of this gets you close to the customer and strong relationships are the result.” Jones is now responsible for sales of the XYZ Machine Tools’ range in the Coventry (CV), Hemel Hempstead (HP), Milton Keynes (MK), Oxford (OX) and Reading (RG) postcodes.

For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com