When San Antonio-based job shop Anthony Machine purchased a pair of NLX 3000 1250 universal turning centres from CNC machine builder DMG Mori – the company’s first Y-axis, live-tool lathes – the team was challenged with making the most of its new investment.

Long-term tooling partner Kennametal explained to Anthony that the best way to reduce set-up times and maximise the new machines’ potential would be to equip them with Turret Adapted Clamping Units (TACU) and KM-series quick-change tool holders.
According to Anthony Machine manufacturing technologist Daniel Goller, the decision to adopt TACU and KM for the new machines was an easy one. “Over the years, we’ve built a number of KM-equipped custom tool holders for deep boring and other machining operations on our CNC lathes and machining centres, and we use Kennametal on several of the shop’s manual turret lathes to overcome limitations with available tool positions. On more than one occasion, we’ve earned new business because KM was able to achieve tolerances and surface finishes that others couldn’t do with conventional tooling.”
Anthony’s operations manager Mohsen Saleh agrees: “The differences are striking. Compared to the traditional wedge and screw-style blocks that come standard on most machines, the KM-equipped TACU units are both faster and more accurate. We routinely hold tolerances of 0.013 mm and I’m told that part size doesn’t change from one clamping to the next. The turret’s less crowded, everything’s easier to get at, and you don’t have the chatter and deflection that you often find with your typical straight shank tools and set-screw type boring bar holders.”
For further information www.kennametal.com

The TurnTenFeed series of tools for turning operations has been introduced by Tungaloy.

This newly developed tool holder and indexable insert line is now the company’s first choice offer for heavy industrial applications that demand a productive all-rounder.
Designed with a double-sided, 10-cornered M-class insert, TurnTenFeed can offer cutting depths to 7 mm and a maximum feed per revolution of 2 mm. To attain robust and rigid machining conditions, Tungaloy has introduced two tool-holder configurations: the HF tool holder for high-feed turning and the HD holder for large depths of cut.
Tool holders are available in shank dimensions of 25 or 32 mm square, while a precision seat ensures positional repeatability and clamping stability underpinned by a dovetail clamping system that is designed to improve chip flow. Furthermore, with just a spring pin, lever and clamping screw, TurnTenFeed demonstrates rapid insert changes with positional repeatability.
Tungaloy’s TurnTenFeed tool holders have been developed with a 108° obtuse angle. Although this design has not been developed for machining corners, the material removal capabilities and productivity rates lead to machining efficiency improvements beyond 130%, which are proven under test conditions, says Tungaloy. To achieve such productivity gains, R&D engineers at Tungaloy have introduced an MNW-style chip breaker that features protrusions on the rake face to facilitate smooth and efficient swarf flow, while providing crater and wear resistance. In addition, the 10-sided inserts have been designed with a straight-wiper design that is built into the cutting edge to facilitate higher machining performance and
feed rates.
For further information www.tungaloy.com

Complementary to its trochoidal milling benchmark 5021 series, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has launched its 5031 series of square-end and corner radius five-flute end mills.

These Cupro-coated stub-length end mills are available in diameters from 3 to 16 mm.
ITC’s 5031 has an overall length from 40 to 72 mm, with a length of cut from 7 to 24 mm. This reduced shank and flute length eliminates vibration and improves machining performance in high material removal applications. These benefits are underpinned by harmonic flute geometry that improves chip evacuation and extends tool life.
The company has also introduced the 5031 series with a range of corner radii for each diameter, from 0.25 and 0.5 mm for the smallest 3 mm diameter cutter, all the way up to a 4 mm radius on the largest 16 mm tool.
Geometry combines with a sub-micron carbide substrate and wear resistant Cupro coating to deliver reduced torque and load on the machine. These benefits are credit to a smooth cutting action that improves swarf evacuation and reduces temperature during machining. The composition of the 5031 series is said to makes it the tool of choice for machining steel and exotic materials that inherently increase temperature and stress on the cutting tool.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Tooling specialist Walter GB says companies of every size can cash in on the benefits of high-dynamic milling, namely higher process reliability and faster, more cost-effective cutting by using higher speeds and feeds, as well as reduced ‘free travel’ of the milling cutter and longer tool life.

Indeed, compared with high-performance cutting (HPC), the advantages of high-dynamic cutting (HDC) can be realised when milling components of every size and in all materials, says the company.
The main differences between conventional HPC and HDC are in the movement of the cutter and the forces generated. During HPC milling, the tool takes relatively small depths of cut, while during HDC milling, the machine and its CADCAM functionality adapt the paths so that the tool delineates during machining to the shape of the workpiece and takes greater depths of cut.
Tool engagement angle is usually very large during HPC milling, so the process forces are accordingly high, which not only creates significant tool wear but places undue stress on the machine spindle. The tool engagement angle for HDC is normally small, so the forces which impact the tool and machine are much lower.
Higher cutting parameters, less free travel and increased process stability result in a much higher metal removal rate for HDC milling.The cornerstones of HDC are the tool, machine, CADCAM system and the workpiece – and the strategy is successful only when all four are in synchronisation.
For further information www.walter-tools.com

Dormer Pramet’s range of ProLog vending systems has been extended through the addition of three machines – SaveRing, SaveBin and SaveRent – giving even greater choice to suit individual customer requirements.

It is a known fact that tool inventory and management can be a costly and time-consuming process for any manufacturer. Having greater control over cutting-tool stock, availability, use and re-ordering, offers significant support and accountability.
When using ProLog vending systems, in addition to the standard check-in/check-out features, reports are available to provide detailed analysis of performance. Furthermore, users can automatically ‘age’ and lock-down tools based on specific criteria, set-up alert notifications when a tool has reached a defined setting, and access a full audit history by asset and user.
Dormer Pramet’s SupplyBay and SmartDrawer are its most popular vending devices. Enhancing its offer in this technology area, Dormer Pramet has launched three additional machines: SaveRing, SaveBin and SaveRent. All of these systems help companies to move away from peg-board or open-access methods.
SaveRing is a versatile vending machine which stores and distributes up to 540 unique items. The machine has four key functions to distribute, rent, return (for regrinding) or reserve products for up to 30 days. SaveRent is a locker-type tool renting and monitoring system that allows the storing, distribution and return of frequently used tools and items. Each transaction is saved and recorded when users access an item. With SaveBin employees return used or contaminated items, with the unit taking a photo of the product and logging the transaction to the employee. The system automatically produces an alert if waste levels reach a pre-defined number.
For further information www.dormerpramet.com