Turning heat-resistant super alloys (HRSAs) has always been a challenging prospect for the modern machine shop.

However, TaeguTec is now simplifying this challenge with the arrival of insert designations that have been added to its T-Turn turning series of cutting tools.
With a glossy yellow sheen, the PVD coated TT3010 grade is characterised by its high abrasion resistance and high bonding strength, which result from its ultra-fine substrate. In combination, this abrasion-resistant, high-bonding strength, ultra-fine substrate – and a special coated layer – enables chipping resistance to prevent built-up-edges. The grade is suited to low depths-of-cut finishing applications.
Alongside the TT3010 will be the new PVD coated TT3020 grade. This insert uses an ultra-fine substrate that is said to generate high abrasion resistance and toughness during machining. With a smooth coated layer surface manufactured through a special treatment process, the TT3020 demonstrates resistance to built-up-edges. For HRSA materials, this is TaeguTec’s most frequently recommended grade for the machining of scaled surfaces and light external applications in the low-to-medium speed range.
Both grades are available with two new chip breakers, MGS and FGS. The MGS chip breaker is a negative insert with a sharp cutting edge that reduces cutting resistance and heat generation during machining. In contrast, the FGS chip breaker is a positive insert that has a sharp cutting edge to generate low cutting resistance while guaranteeing precision machining. The chip breaker serves to minimise heat when machining high-temperature alloys.
For further information www.taegutec.com

Cutting-tool specialist Walter GB has introduced a range of boring tools with tangentially-arranged indexable inserts to meet demands prevalent in the automotive sector.

Specifically, Walter says that the tools will be used to rough and finish bores in multiple steps, at higher feed rates and generating better surface finishes than those produced by conventional tools, even in applications without good chip clearance.
An additional benefit is the reduction of chatter, which is achieved by combining an extremely stable tool body with separate indexable-insert geometries that feature a second clearance angle – thus reducing the effective clearance angle, which is usually high for tangential tools.
Applications for boring of 4xD can be achieved, while small diameters (from 24 mm) can be machined with three teeth. The square-shaped inserts can be installed at any approach angle; a face chamfer (wiper) also works at 72° and 90°, which guides the tool and helps to minimise noise. In addition, the inserts are cost-effective, with four plus four cutting edges.
The availability of numerous insert grades makes the tools particularly advantageous for users machining workpieces from cast iron, chrome nickels, steel or aluminium, such as turbine or gearbox housings, gears, cylinder bores, and steering knuckles.
For further information www.walter-tools.com

Located in Poole, Allied Tooling is a business that has completely evolved its cutting-tool services over almost 40 years of existence.

The company offers a comprehensive range of services, from the supply and sharpening of TCT saw blades, to bespoke CNC and PCD tooling for the woodworking and metal-cutting industries. Allied has recently spent almost £1.2m on new equipment, including Vollmer and Anca grinding machines, and three machines from Haimer.
The company acquired a Haimer Tool Dynamic TD Comfort balancing machine, a UNO 20/70 Microset pre-setter and a Power Clamp Economic Plus NG heat-shrink machine.
As to why the company opted for the Haimer UNO 20/70 Microset pre-setter, Allied Tooling’s Rod Knight says: “It is simple to use, the software is very user friendly and we even selected a version with the extra travel height of 700 mm for our particularly long tools.”
Looking at the heat-shrink system, Knight states: “With the Haimer Power Clamp Economic Plus NG, we can now offer a service where we heat-shrink customer tools into holders for them. What we do is re-lap or re-grind tools in the holders, which are perfectly concentric. This is a service that has taken our business into an area that we didn’t have before. We can provide a complete refurbishment service on the tools.”
Moving on to the arrival of the Haimer tool balancing system, Knight says: “Everything we do on our Vollmer machines has to be balanced to within 2.5G. It’s essential, especially as some of the machines using these tools are now running upward of 24,000 rpm. If you have a tool that isn’t balanced when working at those speeds, it won’t be long before you have a spindle that is out of sync.”
For further information www.haimer.biz

The CoroBore BC (Boring Combination) range of solutions, which comprises Tailor Made tools for high-volume applications, is being released by Sandvik Coromant.

Using CoroBore BC it is possible to perform different operations such as semi-finishing and chamfering with a single tool. Manufacturers set to benefit include those serving the automotive, general engineering and construction equipment sectors.
According to Sandvik Coromant, CoroBore BC offers a quick and easy alternative when standard tools do not match up to specific requirements, but the cost and delivery time of a specially engineered solution are prohibitive. The process is fast as Sandvik Coromant personnel utilise an online program that automatically creates the tool and provides price and delivery information.
“The productivity advantages offered by CoroBore BC tools are based on eliminating unnecessary tool changes and reducing cycle times,” says Jenny Nilsson, global product manager at Sandvik Coromant. “Among the many strengths of the new solution is the capability to offer these benefits at much shorter notice, thanks to an automated design and quoting process. The Sandvik Coromant representative simply goes through the required operations with the customer, and enters the parameters via a web-based design interface. Once this is complete, the system instantly produces the tool design and quote.”
Thanks to the various CoroBore BC options offered, a range of multi-step boring applications can be performed. Indeed, customers can choose from up to four machining operations in a single tool (a maximum of two cutting edges per operation). Cutting diameters range from 20 to 200 mm, while tool length can be up to 400 mm, depending on coupling size.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

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