Optimise chip control to end scrap parts

Seco Nanojet solid-carbide reamers enhance chip control with an innovative through-coolant outlet for optimal chip evacuation. This design eliminates costly scrapped parts, jamming and edge damage to increase safety, part quality and tool life.
 

Critical reaming operations require stable, secure, predictable tools. On blind and through-bores, Seco Nanojet solid-carbide Reamers extend the performance of the company’s Nanofix products with through-coolant outlets that stop chip jamming and enhance application stability. Seco says that the proprietary design of these new tools delivers a powerful, precise stream of lubrication directly to the cut zone for optimal chip evacuation and tool life. Along with production stability, shops can rely on Seco Nanojet to maintain cutting speed and part quality, reports the company.

This versatile range of multi-flute reamers comes in eight grades and more than 10 geometries, along with custom sizes and tolerances. The tools work with any precision toolholder. They hold tolerances from 10-15 µm and produce surface finishes from Ra 0.2 µm to Ra 1.2 µm. Seco inspects each Nanojet solid-carbide reamer and documents its measured diameter for consistent performance.

Many industries, including general engineering, automotive and aerospace rely on secure, reliable reaming to avoid costly scrap. According to Jean-Bernard Hantin, product manager at Seco, manufacturers realise that poorly manufactured or incorrectly specified reamers can jeopardise high-value parts. “Nanojet solid-carbide reamers provide cost-efficient performance with much needed quality and stability,” he says.

Seco Nanojet solid-carbide reamers are available in stock and custom diameters down to 1.461 mm. Through the online Seco MyDesign tool configurator, machine shops can obtain custom tools with the stability, reliability and availability of commodity products.

More information www.secotools.com

Stay cool when machining superalloys

When machining heat-resistant materials, such as titanium and other super alloys, two factors play an especially crucial role in controlling temperature and minimising downtime: high-quality tools and a targeted coolant supply. The new additively manufactured MaxiMill-211-DC indexable insert milling system from Ceratizit showcases how proper nozzle positioning can prove a true differentiator.

“If the machining of titanium and superalloys is to take place in a financially viable manner, professionals often have to deviate from the proven ‘roadmap’ and be open to trying new strategies,” says Robert Frei, product manager at Ceratizit. “It’s for such stubborn instances that we developed our 3D-printed indexable insert milling system, the MaxiMill-211-DC.”

Optimised coolant is essential for achieving top-quality results, especially when machining titanium and other heat-resistant materials. Ceratizit says it is here where the patented shoulder mill shines, thanks to precision coolant placement on the milling indexable insert flanks.

“Additive manufacturing processes are no longer mere nice-to-haves, they are essential to achieving results that would be impossible with conventional strategies,” explains Frei.

Ceratizit’s team of engineers sought to optimise the flank cooling process. The objective was to funnel the maximum amount of coolant directly on the flank, which sounds straightforward enough. However, pulling it off required a very complex construction process, which was only made possible by additive manufacturing. In doing so, Ceratizit is able to guarantee full coverage wetting of the coolant on the indexable insert cutting surface. 

Despite the complexity of the numerous coolant holes present inside the tool body, the MaxiMill-211-DC is compatible with standard adapters with through-coolant supply, without requiring any standard coolant on the chip breaker.

More information www.ceratizit.com

Rainford presents latest tooling at MACH 2024

At the MACH 2024 exhibition in Birmingham this week (15-19 April), Rainford Precision is
presenting its latest cutting tool solutions from brands such as Union Tool, Louis Bélet,
Delmeco, Gloor, HOBE, Osawa, DTS, Iwata, 6C Tools, Swissceramill and ATOM. These
respective partners specialise in the manufacture of drills, end mills, reamers, boring bars,
thread mills, slitting saws and more.
Within this diverse portfolio are tools for specialist applications and material types, such as
the Hufschmied brand of milling tools. The Graftor range of end mills from Hufschmied are
specifically for machining graphite, and Rainford says the range can double productivity
rates and tool life in comparison with rival tools.

Offering such a varied platform of specialist cutting tools and micro-tool solutions, Rainford
has recently invested in a Keyence digital microscope to provide a complete tool
investigation and consultancy service for customers in the UK and Ireland. With a niche in
the micro-tooling sphere, Rainford has acquired the new Keyence VHX-970FN digital
microscope to assist customers in diagnosing issues and maximising the performance of
micro and precision cutting tools.
Providing dozens of tooling lines below 1 mm diameter, Rainford says it operates beyond
the remit and scale of other cutting tool vendors. It is here that the new service will
optimise and enhance tool service life and performance for clients.
Commenting on the new investment, Rainford Precision managing director Miles Evans
says: “When you’re servicing customers with tools below 0.5 mm in diameter, diagnosing
and optimising tool life and performance is a challenge. The Keyence system will enable us
to provide a unique service to our customers within the cutting tool marketplace.”
For further information www.rainfordprecision.com

Easy, accurate digital boring head set-up

Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads eliminate tedious, inaccurate
boring head adjustments that can lead to scrapped parts. A wide digital display helps for
quick, efficient adjustment and set-up.
“Boring heads typically require a skilled operator for accurate adjustment,” says Seco
product manager Kavita Dandge. “For shops struggling with skilled labour shortages, the
digital axial boring heads use a reversible digital display so operators of any level can make
adjustments without mistakes.”
Cutting-edge displacement is critical to boring accuracy. Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus
digital axial boring heads use a digital device to display precise displacement values during
tool set-up. This wide display works with all Seco digital axial boring heads.
Without a digital device, boring head set-up requires time-consuming adjustments of tiny
hard-to-read scales. Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads allow for
clear and concise adjustments to eliminate virtually all human error. With a wide, easy-to-
read display and convenient button controls, the Seco digital head also shortens set-up
times for greater efficiency and productivity.
For maximum versatility, the Seco digital adjustment device uses no batteries; charging is
via USB and attaches to the boring head with magnets for a tight seal. The elimination of
replaceable batteries prevents contamination during battery changes. Furthermore, the
battery-free design of Seco Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads remains
sealed to keep dust and coolant out, while the digital display’s single charge lasts for 200
measurements.

Seco offers the Axiabore and Axiabore Plus digital axial boring heads in five sizes, starting
from 2 mm diameter. The heads handle OD turning diameters from 2 to 57 mm and
grooving diameters from 19 to 96 mm.
For further information www.secotools.com

Latest cutting tool technologies on show

Ceratizit says that more than 40 engineers are manning its stand at the MACH exhibition in Birmingham this week (15-19 April), ensuring that anyone wanting to enquire about working with the company gets the chance to have a useful conversation. Alongside the technical expertise of the engineers there are hundreds of items of tooling on display.

Among the huge selection of tools are three highlight products from Ceratizit: the HyPower, the WPC-Change and the MonoThread. 

The WPC-Change is an indexable insert drill. Making sure that high-quality machining does not have to come at a high price, the WPC-Change and Change UNI combine the advantages of Ceratizit’s WPC high-performance drills with the flexibility of an exchange system, allowing for quicker changeovers and reduced material usage.

Moving from drilling to hydraulic chucks, Ceratizit’s expansion of its HyPower hydraulic chucks makes it possible to meet the demands of difficult machining requirements. For rough and demanding machining operations, the company says that the HyPower Rough is tough enough to take on any challenge. For optimum accessibility in the machining zone, the HyPower Access 4.5° offers itself as a highly flexible adapter for machining contoured components.

On the thread milling side of cutting tool innovation is the MonoThread, a champion of Ceratizit’s performance line. Delivering an improvement on performance of 20%, this thread milling cutter upgrade is suitable for all standardised thread profiles with all tolerances and especially for asymmetrical, thin-walled, large or very expensive workpieces. The solid-carbide shank thread milling cutters are suitable for machining any materials, including high-strength and tempered steels, guaranteeing performance even in tough machine conditions.

For further information www.ceratizit.com