Now available in the UK from Floyd Automatic Tooling is the latest addition to the CrazyDrill range from Mikron Tool: the CrazyDrill Cool SST-Inox.

Small, deep and fast characterises the new drill, which incorporates internal coolant ducts and a novel geometry and coating for the machining of stainless steels, nickel-based super alloys, and CrCo alloys.
The range includes through-coolant drills in six different working lengths: 6xD, 10xD, 15xD, 20xD, 30xD and 40xD. For machining holes between 1 and 2 mm diameter, the maximum depth available is 20xD. However, from 2 to 6 mm diameter, the entire range can be offered. In addition, there is a short pilot drill for a maximum bore depth of 3xD.
Although drills with spiral coolant ducts are already available in small diameter ranges, many such tools get into trouble with tough-elastic materials or with the poor heat conductivity of super alloys. Here, cooling through conventional round ducts is insufficient, even with high pressure. Premature edge chipping and excessive chip accumulation are typical symptoms that prevent stable drilling.
A new geometry on the CrazyDrill Cool SST-Inox provides a chip-breaking effect at the front that results in short, curved chips, while at the back, an open-flute profile facilitates the evacuation of micro-chips. There is a variant for long drills as they incorporate an open profile and polished flutes to help the easy evacuation of chips from the bore.
Performance and process stability is mainly delivered by cooling the tool via two spiral internal coolant ducts up to the drill tip, while the ducts themselves have the largest possible diameter and are teardrop shaped.
For further information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

The KOR 5 solid-carbide end mill is Kennametal’s latest innovation in high-velocity aluminium roughing. Designed for maximum productivity in aerospace machining, the use of this five-flute end mill means that table feed rates can be increased by up to 66% compared with common three-flute tools.

Kennametal’s KOR 5 is aimed at removing large amounts of metal and getting it away from the work zone as quickly as possible. Design features include a tapered core, variable pitch design and a 35° helix to help eliminate chatter and tool deflection. The through-coolant tool also has a novel chip-splitter pattern that is designed to break up long chips and eliminate re-cutting, but still contribute to high surface quality.
KOR 5 has more active contact points than a two-fluted or three-fluted end mill, chiefly because the five-fluted cutter creates improved stability and eliminates chatter on even the heaviest cuts. Applying the tool with low radial engagement, but high depth of cut, results in much higher metal removal rates than traditional methods. And to assure predictable, zero pull-out performance at maximum feed rates, the KOR 5 is available with Safe-Lock shanks.
Thilo Mueller, manager for solid-carbide end milling, says: “Slotting, deep pocketing, dynamic milling – whatever your aluminium application – KOR 5 can do it faster.”
For further information www.kennametal.com

In a joint sales co-operation with Boehlerit, Horn Cutting Tools has introduced to the UK market an expanded 3D milling programme for the tool and mould-making industry.

The ISO 00P is a universal tool system for general mechanical engineering and mould making. As the inserts are mounted in a neutral position in the tool holder, they ensure a high level of contouring accuracy. However, despite the neutral position, the edge geometry enables a soft cut to be achieved.
Boehlerit’s RhombiTec system is a universal finishing tool for all standard materials and applications. The indexable inserts demonstrate high manufacturing precision and long tool life, says the company. Of particular note, the axial and radial wiper geometry is said to ensure high productivity, good surface quality and vibration-free finishing, even at high depths of cut.
The BallTec and TorroTec milling systems are multi-functional tools for achieving high productivity. These systems allow users to save on tool holders, as the ball-nose copying tools are suitable for semi-finishing and finishing.
Additionally, Boehlerit offers a variety of indexable inserts and tool holders. The carbide shank with brazed insert seat provides vibration damping, resulting in high levels of surface quality on the workpiece. Inserts based on ultra-fine carbide ensure high wear resistance combined with elevated fracture resistance, which increases process reliability. All variants have an internal coolant supply.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

Kennametal has added to its Harvi line of solid-carbide end mills in the shape of its Harvi I TE. With a radical new design, the HARVI I TE is suitable for use on materials that include steel, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys and cast iron.

Furthermore, thanks to significantly reduced cutting forces, the tool can be used on any machining centre or mill-turn centre in the shop.
“The Harvi I TE consistently outperformed competing four-flute end mills in both wet and dry machining tests on a variety of materials and applications, delivering unprecedented tool life in many cases,” states Bernd Fiedler, manager – solid end milling. “It performs exceptionally well on heavy roughing and finishing cuts alike, from deep cavities and full width slots to shoulder and dynamic milling.”
Kennametal engineers designed the Harvi I TE to address four key problems that plague more than 90% of all milling applications: chip evacuation, tool deflection, corner stability, and breakage due to radial cutting forces. The result, according to the company, is a tool that is durable and versatile enough to tackle the lion´s share of milling applications.
Consider chip evacuation. The Harvi I TE has a novel flute design that helps curl and break chips into manageable pieces, while a series of chip gashes within the flute lift those chips up and away from the workpiece. Both serve to promote coolant flow, eliminate chip re-cutting and improve tool life. A twisted end face and novel gashing further promote chip evacuation but are also responsible for the Harvi I TE´s ramping and plunging capabilities.
Tool deflection is reduced thanks to the tool´s parabolic core, as well as an eccentric, faceted relief along the entire flute length that lowers cutting friction.
For further information www.kennametal.com

ActiveEdge Apex, the latest fully automated fine-boring innovation from Rigibore, is pitched at the accurate machining of small bores. Making use of Rigibore’s ActiveEdge technology, Apex is said to be a world-first in terms of fully integrated, automatically adjustable fine-boring heads, delivering precision performance on bores ranging from 0.25 to 26 mm diameter. Rigibore unveiled the Apex system at EMO 2019 last month.

The Apex boring head offers a closed-loop compensation system that automatically adjusts the diameter being cut as a result of commands sent directly from the machine tool’s control, based on values calculated by in-process measurements. Importantly, the boring head can be adjusted with micron accuracy, anywhere within the machine, completely independent of operator intervention. Compensations can be made with the head in the spindle, or even while it remains idle in the tool carousel and another operation takes place. Assurance that the correct adjustment value has been made is confirmed via direct feedback from the tool to the ActiveEdge interface.
“Typically, manufacturers experience all too familiar problems with conventional boring heads, mainly the issue of accurately setting and maintaining fine-tolerance limits, with high scrap rates impacting on bottom-line performance,” says Rigibore chairman Roger Bassett. “The requirement for operators to constantly check boring heads for accuracy, and then living in fear of backlash, and slowing production can now be eliminated.
“Our Apex boring head provides manufactures with a perfect bore, first time, every time, using macros to accurately adjust the boring head within predetermined tolerance parameters, all while reducing cycle time,” he adds.
For further information www.rigibore.com