KCFM 45 Face Milling Cutter

September 30, 2020
Fine-Finishing Face Mill for Cast Iron Exceeds Highest Surface Requirements

Kennametal has introduced a new face milling platform for cast iron applications, the KCFM 45. With fixed and adjustable pocket seats, the new milling cutter provides the option for semi-finishing as well as fine-finishing applications, exceeding the highest surface quality requirements. With carbide, ceramic and PcBN inserts, this new tool is a flexible, cost-effective and user-friendly solution that is ideal for any type of CNC machining center. 

Insert offering
Carbide inserts are ideal for machining at lower RPM, or in thin-walled workpieces and less stable conditions, while ceramic inserts (KY3500 grade) provide elevated surface speeds resulting in higher productivity. Both offer excellent performance. For fine finishing operations, PcBN inserts will deliver the best possible surface finish, tool life, and throughput. 

"With the KCFM 45 face milling cutter, users can mix and match different insert options to suit the application requirements and machining conditions," says Michael Hacker, Product Manager, Kennametal. For example, you might use PcBN finishing inserts in the adjustable pockets and ceramic or carbide inserts in all other pockets for wet machining or lower volume applications. Regardless of the configuration, the KCFM 45 exceeds the highest surface requirements. 

Wave killer 
The inserts are positioned at a positive axial angle, but with a slightly negative radial angle for better tool life. That creates significantly lower machining forces than competing cast iron face mills, helping to eliminate chatter and further improving surface finishes. 

"The KCFM 45 with its adjustable pocket seats can generate surface finishes of 0.8µm Ra (32 µin.) or better, and waviness lower than 10µm Wt (400 µin.)," says Hacker.

The KCFM 45 is ideal for gray cast iron, CGI applications, semi-finishing and fine-finishing operations. 

The KCFM 45 uses a combination of hexagonal semi-finishing inserts in the fixed pockets together with square finishing inserts in the adjustable pockets with cartridges.

Related Glossary Terms

  • chatter

    chatter

    Condition of vibration involving the machine, workpiece and cutting tool. Once this condition arises, it is often self-sustaining until the problem is corrected. Chatter can be identified when lines or grooves appear at regular intervals in the workpiece. These lines or grooves are caused by the teeth of the cutter as they vibrate in and out of the workpiece and their spacing depends on the frequency of vibration.

  • computer numerical control ( CNC)

    computer numerical control ( CNC)

    Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

  • gang cutting ( milling)

    gang cutting ( milling)

    Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.

  • machining center

    machining center

    CNC machine tool capable of drilling, reaming, tapping, milling and boring. Normally comes with an automatic toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger.

  • milling

    milling

    Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

  • milling cutter

    milling cutter

    Loosely, any milling tool. Horizontal cutters take the form of plain milling cutters, plain spiral-tooth cutters, helical cutters, side-milling cutters, staggered-tooth side-milling cutters, facemilling cutters, angular cutters, double-angle cutters, convex and concave form-milling cutters, straddle-sprocket cutters, spur-gear cutters, corner-rounding cutters and slitting saws. Vertical cutters use shank-mounted cutting tools, including endmills, T-slot cutters, Woodruff keyseat cutters and dovetail cutters; these may also be used on horizontal mills. See milling.

  • polycrystalline cubic boron nitride ( PCBN)

    polycrystalline cubic boron nitride ( PCBN)

    Cutting tool material consisting of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride with a metallic or ceramic binder. PCBN is available either as a tip brazed to a carbide insert carrier or as a solid insert. Primarily used for cutting hardened ferrous alloys.

  • waviness

    waviness

    The more widely spaced component of the surface texture. Includes all irregularities spaced more widely than the instrument cutoff setting. See flows; lay; roughness.

Additional Products from Kennametal Inc.

Designed for extended tool life and smooth drilling at high metal removal rates, Drill Fix PRO has outboard inserts that feature a wiper geometry for smoother surface finishes and larger coolant channels for high-volume flow. Other platform advancements include the versatility of the four-time…

The product expansion includes best-in-class features and advanced technology for metal cutting applications. The launch includes eight products that expand on and support existing platforms in delivering superior performance across multiple applications as well as address common machining…

The Blast Ninja reduces air exit velocity while maintaining particle velocity, resulting in a significant reduction in noise production at the source while maintaining blasting production. This proven technology remains Kennametal-manufactured and is now available directly through authorized…

Using the 140-degree solid carbide point design from Kennametal’s GOdrill, the KenTIP FS GTP insert allows for multiple machining applications across a range of materials including steel, stainless steel and cast iron. KenTIP FS GTP also features excellent centering capabilities, even at moderate…

KYHK15B provides excellent edge stability, high chipping resistance, and a PVD gold coating makes wear progression identification very easy. From smooth and varying depths of cut to heavy depths of cut, KYHK15B can be an economic alternative to PcBN inserts.

All Beyond Evolution insert styles feature the Triple-V Seating: Tight grip on the back (1) and top & bottom (2) provides maximum stability, especially when operating multidirectional turning and profiling.

KCK20B and KCKP10 are suitable for wet or dry cuts. These include rotor hubs used in windmills, pump housings, steering knuckles and gear housings for heavy equipment, and automotive components like crankshafts and cylinder heads. While KCK20B delivers higher productivity in roughing and semi-…

Machining three diameters in one operation, the stator bore tool ensures the alignment and concentricity of the machined surfaces whilst reducing the cycle time significantly. The lightweight 3D printed combination tool enables a faster tool change and spin-up even on less powerful machines. The…

The tangential design of the FIX8 insert features a rigid clamping system that pulls the insert securely into the pocket seat, offering superior stability that enables the insert to withstand large cutting forces and vibrations for optimal performance. The insert is also supported by a replaceable…

Drawing on its deep materials science expertise, Kennametal developed KAR85-AM-K to provide corrosion and wear resistant properties analogous to its conventional counterpart grade, CN13S. Combined with Kennametal’s binder jet additive manufacturing capabilities, KAR85-AM-K results in fully…

PRODUCTS

10/23/2024
TIN Coated Thread Gages have high dimensionally stable HSS construction with TIN coating that…

10/23/2024
The Starrett AVR400 offers full CNC capabilities including X-Y-Z positioning and comprehensive zoom…

09/30/2024
SwiftCARB's new SUPERBEE 180° Corner Rounding Series features precision-ground surfaces that…