During a brief interview at IMTS 2018, Steve Howard, marketing and engineering manager for NTK Cutting Tools, discussed the significance of the company's patented BIDEMICS material, calling it "the first real improvement in ceramics in 20 or 30 years."

Chatting with Cutting Tool Engineering Publisher Dennis Spaeth, Howard said BIDEMICS makes it possible to increase cutting speeds in heat-resistant alloys by 17 times over carbide. The new composite material reportedly is capable of running at 1,600 sfm to 1,700 sfm.

"That means time saved; that means more parts on the floor, and that means more money," Howard added.

The company's JX1 BIDEMICS tool, intended for semi-finishing & finishing/rough no scale, is said to be capable of withstanding small interruptions, and can provide productivity gains, particularly when running a 20" or larger diameter part. The JP2 BIDEMICS tool, intended for ultra highspeed finishing of super alloys, is said to work well on Inconel 718 and Inconel 625.