Cutting Tools & Tooling

As automakers strive for increasingly fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, they're turning away from traditional iron favorites such as gray and ductile iron (GCI and DCI) to compacted graphite iron, or CGI. Also known as vermiculate graphite iron, CGI's mechanical attributes meet or exceed its counterparts, sometimes drastically so.

Introducing the Pramet Econ LN square shoulder milling cutter from Dormer Pramet. Its positive axial geometry reportedly allows for lower cutting forces and smoother machining.

The increased popularity of Swiss-style machine tools and the need for fast tool indexing with high repeatability and precision has inspired Iscar Metals to develop small-diameter cutting tools with precision indexing. The new PiccoAce system allows easy quick and easy clamping with modularity benefit of thousands of possible combinations between holders and bars.

LENOX announced the launch of LENOX METALMAX diamond abrasive, a new alternative to abrasive cutoff wheels for increased durability and smooth, clean and even cuts. LENOX METALMAX offers a solution for pain points bonded abrasives can bring, including diameter retention and less dust residue.

The Jabro-Solid2 JS554 range of solid-carbide endmills from Seco Tools gains further utility and versatility with smaller neck diameter options. These latest tools provide greater clearance when machining complex components, such as those found in aerospace, medical and general machining applications.

OSG USA Inc. has introduced its highly anticipated 2017/18 Cutting Tool Solutions Catalog in print and digital versions. The latest catalog edition has more than 1,300 pages and features new products including EXOCARB ADF flat drills and PHOENIX PSTW indexable shoulder cutters, and many new expansions to the company's quality lines, such as the EXOCARB MAX-MINI drills, EXOCARB WDO drills, PHEONIX PXD indexable exchangeable head drills and PHOENIX PFB indexable ballnose endmills.

MAPAL has developed a multi-bladed fine boring tool with guide pads. Thanks to the multiple cutting edges, the cycle time is significantlynreduced compared with single-bladed tools.

MAPAL offers a broad portfolio of ISO tools for milling operations. A new series of cutting materials has been developed especially for the milling of the whole bandwidth of cast iron grades – GJL, GJV and GJS.

The new Carmex AMT (aluminum mill-thread) cutter delivers a fine surface finish, good chip evacuation and is constructed of solid carbide to absorb cutting forces in high-speed aluminum machining. Available in a cylindrical shank or Weldon shank, the AMT is designed to minimize the tendency of aluminum to stick to the cutting tool edges.

Tungsten ToolWorks offers seven micro-endmill geometries in an "infinite" variety of diameters, lengths, end conditions and coatings, including diamond, based on customer inputs. Cutting diameters as small as 0.005" (0.127mm) can be configured from an array of fractional or metric carbide blanks.

Mil-Tec Inc. says its HV5HD series endmills are ideal for machine shops and other manufacturing facilities that require flexibility and value. With a full range of cutter bodies and precision-ground carbide inserts, the tools can reportedly handle any application and material.

Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc. has released the newest edition of the standard tool catalog. The largest edition published by MITGI, the catalog includes more than 8,700 tools, an increase of 57 percent over the 2015 offering.