Walter launches FW4 and MW4 wiper geometries

With the FW4 and MW4 wiper geometries, Walter is introducing two turning indexable insert geometries. The new FW4 and MW4 combine the ‘wiper effect’ with new chip-breaker geometries and wear-resistant Walter Tiger•tec Gold grades. Walter’s curved wiper edge sweeps over the machined surface again, making it possible to either double the feed rate and increase productivity by 100%, or significantly improve the surface quality while maintaining the same feed rate.

With these new geometries, Walter is now transferring this effect from the existing FW5 and MW5 double-sided cutting inserts to indexable inserts with a positive basic shape. The result is the FW4 geometry with a narrow chip breaker for finishing operations and the MW4 geometry with an open chip-breaker groove and longer wiper cutting edge radius for medium machining.

Both geometries are for universal application in ISO materials P, M and K, as well as for secondary applications in ISO S materials. The FW4 and MW4 geometries make it possible to achieve improved surface quality, productivity and process reliability thanks to the wiper edge with its curved design. This curved wiper design also helps when the machine is not aligned 100%, for example after a crash or with slightly offset turrets.

As a further advantage, the new chip breakers increase the chip-breaking range with higher feed rates, resulting in less machine downtime caused by ‘birds nesting’. Higher feed rates reduce machining times and therefore contact times, increasing tool life and reducing the number of tool changes. The combination of double the productivity and/or surface quality is particularly appealing for series manufacturers.
For further information www.walter-tools.com

End mills gain Lockheed Martin recognition

Kennametal reports that its Harvi solid-carbide end mills will be included as a preferred product in Lockheed Martin’s internal machining guide. The resource, produced by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ Operations Technology group for internal operations and engineering, as well as global supply-chain partners, identifies the most effective parameters and processes for machining material-specific aerospace components.

“We’re honoured to be a long-time supplier to Lockheed Martin and have our Harvi III end milling portfolio featured in one of its most invaluable machining guides,” says Keith Mudge, Kennametal VP -metal cutting sales, Americas. “We work closely with customers like Lockheed Martin to solve problems and deliver the utmost accuracy in machining. The inclusion of Harvi end mills in this internal resource is a testament to our commitment in the industry and our high standard of excellence.”

Kennametal says that its Harvi solid-carbide end mill portfolio is an industry staple because of its ability to outperform other end mill tools when working on hard-to-machine aerospace materials like titanium and Inconel.A signature Kennametal brand and bestseller, Harvi end mills deliver time and cost savings in aerospace operations with fastmetal removal rates and longer tool life, reports the company.

Users experience maximum productivity from Harvi-style end mills with features like the
Harvi 1 TE’s twisted cutting edge for increased corner stability and ramping and helical interpolation operations. Further stand-out features include: proprietary relief from anti-vibration-anti-friction technology; unequal divided flutes, including some with variable helix, enabling vibration dampening and unmatched feed rates; and an innovative flute design with chip gashes to reduce cutting forces and promote more efficient chip evacuation.

In April, Kennametal launched a new end mill grade called KCSM15A and will be expanding its Harvi product lines further this autumn.
For further information www.kennametal.com

Big Kaiser adds 360° LED indicator to Base Master

When it comes to tool pre-setting, the Big Kaiser Base Master Mini from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has proven its credentials, offering precision tool measurement with simplicity. Now, the Base Master Mini is seeing two upgrades.

The first upgrade replaces the single LED indicator on Base Master devices with a 360° light, which makes it easy for operators to see contact from any orientation. Secondly, the Base Master Mini is now available with a side handle, making it easier to use on turning centres with limited operator access.

Base Master Mini has a compact design that allows machine shop personnel to pre-set the offset position quickly and simply, while providing accurate results to a height tolerance of just 5µm. With a standard height of only 20 mm, the device is suitable for small Swiss-type lathes and compact machine tools with little room for manoeuvre.

The Base Master line-up allows use with all types of machine tools and materials, including non-conductive cutting tools. It enables operators to measure workpiece offsets, tool lengths and cutting edges with zero risk of damage or breakage, at sub-millimetre levels.

Three Base Master models are available. The range includes the BM-50H, BM-50GH, BM50-MH, and one Base Master Mini – the BMM-20H. For maximum flexibility in real-world conditions, the Base Master series offers precision with a repeatability of just ±1µm. From a flexibility standpoint, the system has a solid magnetic base that mounts vertically, horizontally, or at any angle. Optionally, the BM-50H is available without a magnet. This configuration is often required to machine additively manufactured workpiece materials.

For Swiss-type turning centres, ITC also offers Big Kaiserhigh-precision hydraulic chucks, which can reduce the time required to replace cutting tools while also improving the safety and repeatability of tool runout.

“We design our products based on the requirements of machine tool builders, so we can be confident there is a solution for any customer need,” says Giampaolo Roccatello, chief sales &marketing officer for Europe at Big Kaiser.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

New grooving and cut-off milling system

A new generation of tools for grooving and cut-off milling is now available from tooling manufacturer Horn. The cutter bodies are available from stock as side, shell and screw-in milling cutters; the two latter variants being equipped for internal coolant supply. Special surface treatment offers protection against abrasion from chips.

Horn offers the side milling cutters in diameters from 80 to 200 mm, while thegrooving width is optionally 5, 6 or 8 mm. As shell mills, the tools are available in diameters from 63 to 200 mm and with identical grooving widths. Horn’s screw-in cutters are for a groove width of 5 mm and come in diameters from 40 to 63 mm as standard. The effective number of teeth of depends on tool diameter and ranges from two to 13.

The M475 system employs precision-ground, indexable inserts with four cutting edges. Positive geometry and a round chip-breaker groove together with a new grade, RC4G, deliver economical, productive machining performance. New also is the availability of an RC4 coating applied using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering. It provides high toughness and hardness to enable the machining of steels at elevated cutting speeds, leading to increased insert life.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

Voortman acquires Muller Opladen

Voortman Steel Machinery has completed its acquisition of pipe processing machinery manufacturer, Müller Opladen. The move will allow Voortman to offer even more value to customers while tapping into emerging markets. Müller Opladen manufactures solutions for cutting steel pipes, pressure vessels and structural steel, boasting over a century of market presence. The company has an installed base of over 1000 machines in 70 countries.

Müller Opladen GmbH will continue its operation in Germany, now accessing Voortman’s trusted and recognised network for customer support and consumables. Mark Voortman CEO of Voortman Steel Machinery,says: “The integration of Müller Opladen is an important step forward in meeting the needs of our current and potential customers, and provides a complete product portfolio for profile, plate and pipe processing.”
For further information www.voortman.net