Cutting Tool Review

Solid-carbide drills for deep-hole drilling

Sandvik Coromant Co., Fair Lawn, N.J., (www.sandvik.coromant.com/us) introduced its CoroDrill 861 solid-carbide drills for deep-hole drilling 12 to 30 times diameter without pecking. Featuring advanced flute geometry, the drills produce small, manageable chips.

The tools’ chip management, combined with a point geometry that reduces thrust forces and a double-offset margin geometry, helps provide the high stability necessary for drilling deep holes, according to the company. The edge preparation protects the cutting edge from premature chipping and flaking. Using a high-precision chuck, IT8 to IT9 is the achievable hole tolerance in steel, stainless steel, cast iron and nonferrous metals. Tool ports deliver coolant directly to the tip of the drill, even at deep drilling depths. The drill is also capable of producing cross-holes and holes in angled faces.

In a customer performance trial, using a 0.406 “-dia. CoroDrill 861 for horizontal drilling operations in alloy steel produced good results, the company reported. Drilling to a depth of 5.5 ” (14 times diameter), the tool achieved 60 percent higher productivity than a comparable competitor’s drill in 30 minutes of machining time. The feed rate increased from 22 ipm to 36 ipm, resulting in a drilled length of 90 ‘, compared to 55 ‘ for the competitor’s drill, according to Sandvik Coromant.

Milling cutter for difficult-to-fixture workpieces

Walter USA LLC, Waukesha, Wis., (www.walter-tools.com/us) has expanded its Xtra•tec F4045 milling cutter line with a new medium-pitch tool for use on lower horsepower machines and for difficult-to-fixture workpieces.

Stable machines, workpieces and clamping arrangements are required for maximum cutting rates. However, sometimes feeds and speeds need to be scaled back because workpieces with complicated shapes do not always permit rock-solid clamping. That’s where a tool with medium pitch comes in. The medium pitch allows the tool to deliver optimal performance in conditions of limited stability.

The milling cutter’s other features enable it to boost productivity in different applications. These features include negative-shaped inserts with 14 cutting edges, seven per side. The inserts are pressed with a positive rake face, which allows for freer cutting geometry for high cutting volumes in lower horsepower machines. Also, its insert clamping system locks the inserts securely in their seats. The clamping wedge pivots to the side after just a few turns of the clamping screw, allowing rapid insert change, according to Walter. Three geometry shapes (stable, universal and easy-cutting) enable adaptation to a range of different applications.

Facemills for roughing to semifinishing

Iscar Metals Inc., Arlington, Texas, (www.iscar.com) has introduced its Helido S890 FSN line of right-hand indexable facemills for roughing to semifinishing, primarily when cutting cast iron and steel components.