Cutting Tools

Greenleaf Corp. introduced its WG-300 ceramic composite  tool material about 25 years ago. The ceramic matrix  is reinforced with silicon-carbide "whiskers” that boost  toughness. Initially applied in the relatively constant cutting  conditions of turning operations, the composite tools  provided a significant increase in productivity when roughing  aerospace alloys. Shops are now using WG-300 tools in hard  milling operations. 

Travis Biggs, applications engineer, technical service, for Greenleaf Corp., offers the nitty gritty on the tools used in this 1 minute and 40 second video featuring a 5/8" ball nose tool followed by the company's Extreme Feed Mill 1" dia., 4-tooth cutting tool.

Don Nelson, publisher of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine, recently sat down with two Sandvik Coromant representatives to learn more about the company's outlook and strategy for the aerospace market, its new CoroMill products and why the company puts such an emphasis on its partnership with end users. Interviewed are Brian Norris, vice president of marketing, and Chris Mills, aerospace development-North America and the company's national portfolio manager.

Watch Sandvik Coromant Co.'s CoroMill 365 cutter mill an engine blockmade of compacted graphite iron in this online complement to our September CTE cover story.

Watch a video presentation from Seco Tools LLC about the tools and techniques suggested for machining powdered metallurgy. The company reports that inserts with Seco Tool’s Duratomic CVD aluminum-oxide coating can work well for P/M components. The Duratomic technology promotes growth of coating crystals in certain crystallographic directions to improve coating properties.