Japanese ceramics specialist Kyocera presented a number of new products at the AMB trade fair in Stuttgart last month.

The debutants included the MEAS series for high-speed and high-performance aluminium machining, and the JCT (Jet Coolant Through) series of tool holders with a high-pressure coolant supply.
Milling cutters in the Kyocera MEAS series impress thanks to their long service lives and low cutting forces, says the company. The stable clamping system ensures the form-locking fit of the cutting plate in the plate seat. What’s more, a stable tool-holder design guarantees the durability and reliability of the cutter.
The JCT series of tool holders are optimised for a high-pressure coolant supply. For turning, there is the double clamp JCT variant, which allows a coolant supply from three directions, while for parting-off and external grooving, Kyocera has designed the KGD-JCT variation, which directs the coolant on to the rake and frank surfaces of the indexable insert. The KTN-JCT variation was developed for threading. In this variation, two cooling holes reduce the tendency for plate breakages and therefore facilitate an extension of service life.
In addition, the JCT series includes smaller tools with internal coolant supplies that can operate at a pressure of up to 200 bar. And again there are variations for turning, with screw clamping; these variations have two cooling holes that deliver coolant supply to the cutting edge surfaces of the indexable insert. For external grooving, there is the KGBF-JCT design, which directs the coolant towards the cutting edge of the insert. And for parting-off operations there is the KTKF-JCT variation, which directs the coolant towards the cutting surface from three directions.
For further information www.kyocera.com

Horn has introduced a grooving and parting-off system, 32T, for Swiss-type lathes and smaller fixed-head lathes. With a precision-sintered grooving insert and central clamping screw, the system offers easy insert indexing and direct entry into the seat of the tool carrier.

Importantly, there is no need for clamping elements, which may have a detrimental effect on chip flow. The screw head of the clamping bolt does not introduce interference and therefore permits grooving and parting-off directly at the spindle. Inserts can be used in a neutral position or as left-hand or right-hand configurations.
By adding the new system to complete its triple-edge insert range, Horn is responding to customer solution requests for Swiss-type lathes and other smaller turning machines, in particular for applications where space is at a premium.
The maximum groove depth using 32T is 4 mm with a width of 2 or 2.5 mm. For grooving, the inserts are available with both straight and full radius cutting edges. Horn offers the insert
with a 15° chamfer for parting-off. A cylindrically ground chip-breaker geometry makes for reliable chip removal. The tool carrier is designed as a square shank of 10 x 10 mm or 12 x 12 mm cross section. Each version features internal coolant supply.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

In a move designed to help machine shops increase productivity, tool life and process reliability, Walter is now offering an app that enables users to quickly and easily replace existing cutting tools – including those currently applying competitor tooling – with the latest Walter indexable inserts.

Rather than endless menu options, a simplified search function within the Insert Converter app allows users to make selections based on insert grades and geometries – inputting the current geometry before the alternatives available from Walter are displayed.
Recommended grades or geometries may vary considerably depending on the workpiece material type, in which case the user will receive additional details such as the coating process or ISO classification and, in the case of ISO geometries, the indexable-insert type. Applications include ISO turning, grooving and parting off, while in addition to carbide cutting tool materials, CBN, PCD, ceramic and cermet are also covered.
Walter’s Insert Converter app is compatible with Android and iOS (Apple) devices, and is available as a web version via a browser – and offline, if required. The app can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play or via Walter’s website.
For further information www.walter-tools.com