Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has launched its Clearcut range of single-flute balanced routing tools, specifically engineered to eliminate delamination issues when machining aluminium composite material (ACM) panels.

ACM panels have become increasingly popular in signage, architectural cladding and display applications. To meet growing demand for faster turnaround times, more manufacturers are now printing directly on to ACM panels before cutting. This workflow significantly reduces lead times but introduces new machining challenges. ITC says it listened to the industry and developed a solution with its Clearcut range of cutting tools.

“The trend towards printing directly on to ACM substrate before cutting has created a perfect storm for delamination issues,” says Sally Hunt, technical sales manager at ITC. “Manufacturers gain significant time savings in production, but they’ve discovered that conventional cutting tools simply cannot handle the increased complexity of machining pre-printed panels without causing costly damage.”

Traditional cutting tools often leave jagged edges with visible print layer damage, forcing manufacturers to choose between speed and quality. However, with the slow helix Clearcut series of routing tools from ITC, manufacturers can maintain both of the key metrics.

ITC’s solid-carbide Clearcut range is VITREO coated, with the company reporting that the slow helix geometry ensures maximum productivity with unparalleled edge finishes. The single-flute routing tools are available in both coated and uncoated variants, with unbalanced or high-performance balanced tools offered.

The balanced tools are designed for modern digital cutting tables that incorporate high-frequency spindles operating at speeds exceeding 30,000 rpm. Notably, the single-flute balanced design on a 6 mm shank provides construction that eliminates vibration at high speeds, preventing print damage and substrate delamination.

More information www.itc-ltd.co.uk