Customers of Seco Tools can reduce the time they need for process optimisation with quick, expert tooling recommendations through the recently redesigned Suggest portlet, a free online resource available 24/7.

As machining jobs become more complex, tolerances tighter, delivery times shorter and skilled operators harder to find, shops need reliable access to advice that helps them find the most efficient tooling solutions. After a user enters key information about their machines and application requirements into Suggest, they receive authoritative recommendations and cutting data in less than a minute.

Suggest provides real-time access to Seco product information and recommended cutting data for most Seco products, enabling shops to minimise cycle times.

“Any reduction in machining time helps shops maintain competitive advantages, but traditional cutting tool selection can be difficult and time consuming, especially for less-experienced operators,” says Gerrit Kremer, global product manager – digital product services.

As more than one tooling solution can address each machining situation, Suggest also lists alternative products that may be a better fit for a user’s unique prerequisites. For shops that need to optimise thread programming, Suggest accompanies application details with fully optimised CNC code.

Newly optimised for even easier use, Suggest helps shops get cutting data and tooling recommendations quickly and accurately. With this comprehensive solution to their questions about cutting strategies, Seco Tools says that customers can leverage the company’s expertise to achieve their best production results.

For further information
www.secotools.com

Dormer Pramet has expanded its GL assortment for parting-off and deep grooving applications with a range of tools, double-edged inserts and geometries. The additions provide new tooling options for small part machining and grooving with a shorter overhang. These tools support copy profiling and longitudinal turning in a variety of materials.

The move follows the company’s development of its parting-off and grooving range in November 2019, when Dormer Pramet introduced the 25 mm GL insert and the G8330 PVD grade to provide a versatile and stable option when machining steel, stainless steel and cast iron.

These latest tools include new 12×12 holders to support additional radial operations, accommodating various insert widths and depth-of-cut capabilities. A reinforced brace design provides high rigidity and vibration resistance for good-quality surface finish.
Users can also benefit from set-up time savings due to an easily accessible clamping screw [30° angled] and a one-hand insert replacement feature.

The new Pramet tool holders include the universal GLSF (RL) EXT for an overhang of 24-32 mm and the GLSF (RL) EXT-G for grooving operations with a 10-12 mm overhang. GLSF (RL) EXT-S is the shank tool option and suitable for small parts machining and Swiss lathes. The long GL insert, which achieves 60% deeper capacity over the previous LCMF16 insert, is also now available in two new geometries, GM and MM. Both feature a positive T-land for prolonged tool life due to low cutting forces and reduced risk of built-up edge.

With a round cutting edge, the MM geometry is suitable for turning and copy profiling operations, while the GM geometry is for grooving and longitudinal turning.

For further information
www.dormerpramet.com

Horn has introduced two high-performance coatings, IG6 and SG3, for the carbide inserts it manufactures for turning applications. Despite being less than 0.005 mm thick, such coatings can extend service life by a factor of 10 or more compared with uncoated inserts.

IG6 is a copper-coloured, aluminium-titanium-silicon nitride (AlTiSiN) coating for machining steels in groups P and M with Horn’s S224 and S229 grooving systems. In conjunction with the adapted carbide substrate, the coating allows faster material removal rates and significantly extended service life. Standard inserts are available from stock, while for special designs, Horn Greenline orders can be delivered within five working days of the customer signing off on the drawing.

Horn’s SG3 coating is for machining titanium alloys and superalloys, as well as for hard turning and hard grooving applications, and can withstand temperatures of up to 1100°C. Now that the advantages of the tool coating have been proven on selected Horn tool systems, the 105 Supermini grooving and boring system products are available from stock.

Over the past 15 years, Horn has developed a high level of expertise in the coating of precision tools, starting with five employees and one coating system and growing to over 50 employees working across 14 coating systems. Engineers are constantly researching and developing new and existing coatings with the aim of delivering ever higher performance. Horn continually invests in new, modern technologies. In 2015, CemeCon delivered to Horn the first of three HiPIMS (high power impulse magnetron sputtering) systems, which was the first in the world. The technology enables the formation of coatings that are very dense and compact, as well as extremely hard and tough.

For further information
www.phorn.co.uk

The machining of challenging materials is now simpler thanks to the expansion of the Union Tool range of CZS cutting tools. Available in the UK from Rainford Precision, the series of solid-carbide end mills from Union now covers new diameters. The range is currently available with a time-limited 50% discount (until end of January).

Union CZS end mills incorporate a geometry design that combines with a micro-grain carbide substrate and a tough UT coating to provide manufacturers with high performance levels. CZS end mills are suitable for machining everything from carbon, alloy and pre-hardened steels to 55 HRc, as well as aluminium, titanium, heat resistant alloys, copper and cast iron, making the CZS a high performing all-rounder on most types of engineering materials.

The new CZS end mills have a 40° high-helix angle for swarf evacuation that combines with a variable pitch helix which reduces harmonic effects and vibration when undertaking high-speed milling tasks. With a flat land as part of the patented tip geometry, the CZS series is suitable for drilling, milling, side milling, slotting, pocketing and trochoidal cutting operations, reducing the requirement for multiple cutting tools and excessive inventory. Furthermore, the edge geometry and high-quality carbide grade make the CZS suitable for vertical milling with high resistance to edge chipping, while the low-friction coating enhances chip evacuation and improves wear resistance.

The four-flute square end tools cover new diameter ranges that make the series available from 1 to 6 mm diameter in 0.1 mm increments, and 6 to 12 mm in 0.5mm increments. Rainford reports that 13, 16 and 20 mm diameter end mills are also available.

For further information
www.rainfordprecision.com

Kennametal has released its FIX8 heavy-duty turning system, delivering maximum metal removal rates in steel, stainless steel and cast iron. With eight cutting edges per insert, the FIX8 turning system increases productivity of any heavy-duty turning operation, providing low cost per edge while reducing cutting forces by up to 15%.

“From medium depths-of-cut to roughing in steels, cast iron and challenging materials like stainless steel, FIX8 handles it all,” says Matthew Fuerst, product manager at Kennametal. “Even extreme feed rates of up to 1.4 mm and depths-of-cut up to 12 mm are possible.”

The tangential design of the FIX8 insert features a rigid clamping system that pulls the insert securely into the pocket seat, offering high stability that enables the insert to withstand large cutting forces and vibrations for optimal performance. Importantly, the insert is also supported by a replaceable carbide shim, protecting the pocket against deformation and damage.

Kennametal says that the FIX8 tool holder features precision 3D coolant technology, supplying sufficient cutting fluid precisely where needed. Three coolant nozzles are directed to the rake face, controlling temperature, chip evacuation and supporting chip formation. Coolant exit holes in two different locations are directed toward the flank of the insert, controlling heat in the cutting zone and prolonging tool life.

FIX8 provides chip control for any heavy-duty turning application while increasing tool life, says the company. The insert design reduces cutting forces and power consumption, making it suitable for any low-power lathe.

For further information
www.kennametal.com