YMT’s Tooling &Workholding Division has launched the range of Alfa-Sys products for assembling and pre-setting cutting tools into the UK market. The company is now the exclusive agent for the complete Alfa-Sys portfolio, which is manufactured in Liechtenstein.
The range starts with the Alfa-Clamp tool device for the assembly of tool-holders, cutting-tool bodies and indexable inserts. This unit can be specified with 90 or 45° incremental locking points, and is secured to a bench or work surface to provide a stable tooling assembly station. Quick-change holders are matched with commonly-available spindle tapers that include BT/CAT, Capto, HSK-A, VDI and KM.
Once assembled, the cutting tool can be pre-set using one of the Alfa-Set units. The pre-setters can be bench-top or free-standing, and feature contact-free vision systems to measure the exact location of each insert, as well as the tip geometry. A TFT touch-screen provides measurement options, feedback and graphical confirmation.
“From experience, we know a tool can be pre-set in around 3 minutes using the Alfa-Set units,” says Jason Short, manager of the Tooling &Workholding Division. “Based on this, we can demonstrate savings of between £10,000 and £30,000 per year for shops running four or six machines.”
For benchtop users, the Alfa-Set 33- and 35-Swift can measure tools up to 250 mm diameter by 380 mm long for the 33-Swift, and 500 mm long for the 35-Swift. Offering additional functionality, the free-standing Alfa-Set 23/44/64 units can measure a range of tool assemblies up to 600 mm diameter and up to 900mm long.
For further information
www.ymtltd.co.uk

A versatile new range of milling cutters and inserts form an important part of Dormer Pramet’s first product launch of 2017. Expanding the company’s range of milling cutters, the development adds an adaptable option to support a wide range of insert shapes and operations from roughing to finishing.
The SOD05 cutter, developed under the Pramet brand, reduces tool changeover time and inventory costs with its universal pocket, which is capable of carrying octagonal, round and square inserts. It means that the cutter, available in diameters from 32-125 mm, can perform face milling, shoulder milling, slotting, plunging and ramping in steel, stainless steel, cast iron and non-ferrous materials.
To support the new cutter, Dormer Pramet has added to its range of octagonal (OD), round (RD) and square (SD) inserts. The OD insert has eight cutting edges and low cutting forces, promoting an economical option for face milling, while the RD inserts are suitable for high-feed roughing, shallow profiling and ramping. SD inserts have four cutting edges and offer a 90° option for square-shoulder milling, providing depths of cut up to 10 mm.
All insert types have the same radial and axial positions of edges – allowing for easier CNC programming and manual operations.
Meanwhile, Dormer Pramet has announced a new range of small diameter cutters (12-40 mm) for turn-milling operations, which have a high number of teeth to improve productivity.
For further information
www.dormerpramet.com

SandvikCoromant has unveiled a new turning concept that is said to offer improved machining flexibility and the potential for significant productivity gains. Unlike conventional turning operations – which have remained largely unchanged for decades – PrimeTurning allows machine shops to complete longitudinal (forward and back), facing and profiling operations with a single tool. The methodology is based on the tool entering the component at the chuck and removing material as it travels towards the end of the component. This allows for the application of a small entering angle, higher lead angle and the possibility of machining with higher cutting parameters. Furthermore, conventional turning (from part-end to chuck) can be performed using the same tools.
SandvikCoromant believes that some applications could see productivity increases in excess of 50% through the deployment of PrimeTurning rather than conventional techniques. Some of these improvements are due to the small entering angle and higher lead angle, which create thinner, wider chips that spread the load and heat away from the nose radius. The result is said to be increased cutting data and extended tool life.
PrimeTurning is initially supported by the introduction of two dedicated CoroTurn Prime turning tools and the PrimeTurning code generator, which supplies optimised programming codes and techniques. CoroTurn Prime inserts have three edges/corners; one for longitudinal turning, one for facing and one for profiling, thus delivering efficient edge utilisation and longer tool life.
For further information
www.sandvik.coromant.com

Mapal has released its HPR400 reaming tool to simplify the fine machining of bores with large diameters in a defined tolerance range. According to the company, tool quantity can therefore be reduced, as can the subsequent logistics and even tool-setting efforts.
The fine machining of large, tight-tolerance bores traditionally leads machine shops to deploy multi-edged reaming tools as these are both fast and less sensitive to interrupted cuts. However, the reconditioning of reamers with fixed inserts is a complex process.
Instead, by incorporating high-accuracy insert seats on the HPR400, customers can replace inserts instantly using a torque wrench. Incorrect insert mounting is eliminated, as only one mounting position is possible and the inserts can be fitted in any pocket. As a result, no setting is required and there is no need to send tools away for time-consuming or expensive reconditioning.
Available from 50 to 315 mm diameter, the HPR400 is offered with either a HSK or Mapal’s own module adaptor. It can be applied to almost any workpiece material as inserts are available in a variety of grades and geometries.
For machining cast iron, Mapal has developed the wear-resistant HC419 insert grade with a CVD coating for use with the HPR400 reaming tool. One automotive customer is using the tool to machine the main bore in a differential housing made from GJS400 cast iron. With a tool diameter of 150 mm using eight inserts, the HPR400 is obtaining a tolerance level of IT7. These results arrive using a cutting speed of 160 m/min with a feed of 1.6 mm to achieve an average surface finish of 1.35 Ra.
For further information
www.mapal.com

Horn has launched a new range of solid carbide milling cutters designed specifically for machining titanium alloys such as Ti6Al4V. The programme comprises cutters with diameters from 2 to 20 mm, available in four- and five-flute geometries with a cutting edge length of 2xD and 3xD.
The newly-developed TSTK grade is specifically intended for machining titanium, widely used in the aerospace and medical industries. As well as offering good tribology properties and high temperature resistance, the material transmits minimal heat into the substrate and acts as a kind of thermal shield.
Further important characteristics of the newly-designed solid carbide end mills are alternative helix angles and pitches to ensure a softer, gentler cut, therefore eliminating vibration and chatter. As titanium’s low thermal conductivity makes it difficult to remove heat from the point of cutting, a copious supply of coolant directly to the cutting edge is essential, advises Horn.
For further information
www.phorn.co.uk