Cutting Tools & Tooling

At first blush, hardness and toughness may seem like interchangeable concepts, but they actually exist at opposite ends of a continuum that defines indexable and solid tool performance, particularly when it comes to carbide inserts. Harder inserts offer greater wear resistance for superior performance and tool life in hot cutting environments, while tough inserts can handle greater impacts and stressors for the highest feed and depth of cut. For any given application, there is an optimal balance of hardness and toughness – and toolmakers have worked diligently to establish metallurgic principles to offer a range of tools that can meet the diverse needs of manufacturers.

Tungaloy is introducing ReamMeister, an interchangeable head reamer system. ReamMeister is a high precision, interchangeable head reaming system capable of reaming holes in an H7 diameter tolerance range. The ReamMeister tools meet the requirements of high accuracy reaming because the head geometry's diameter and runout accuracy is strictly controlled when being finished by precise grinding and the taper-and-face contact connection guarantees high concentricity within very close limits.

ARCH Cutting Tools announced that the Richards Micro-Tools product portfolio is being rebranded as KEO Micro Tools.

Walter has expanded its productive and cost-effective Walter Perform lineup of TC115/TC216 taps with an array of new sizes, giving these highly flexible taps an even wider range of application in a variety of materials. They provide an excellent means of cost savings, especially with small and medium batch sizes.

Waukesha, WI—Walter, a cutting tool manufacturer has announced the appointment of two new regional channel development managers to support its overall sales organization, channel partner relationships and aggressive business growth strategy.

L Squared Capital Partners and GWS Tool Group announced that L Squared has partnered with GWS management to recapitalize the GWS. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hyperion Materials & Technologies Inc. announced that it signed an agreement to acquire Arno Friedrichs Hartmetall GmbH & Co. KG and its affiliates (AFC), a global solutions provider in premium tungsten carbide blanks used in the manufacture of high precision rotary cutting tools for drilling and milling applications.

IBC announces that WIDIA Products Group, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has joined the IBC industrial buying group as a preferred supplier. WIDIA is a leading manufacturer of precision metalcutting tools utilized in CNC machining operations.

Star SU offers a wide variety of tungsten carbide blanks and preforms from H.B. Carbide.

Milwaukee Tool continues to enhance their line of twist-drilling accessories with the next generation of its Red Helix cobalt drill bits. Engineered for extreme durability and longer life in hard metal applications, these new bits provide up to 15 time life versus black-oxide drill bits.

Kyocera Precision Tools introduces a CVD-coated cermet grade for production in a wide range of finishing applications. The CCX Grade is a new technology composed of a unique, high-strength cermet insert with a thick layer of CVD coating.

Kennametal announced the latest addition to its HARVI line of high-performance solid endmills, the HARVI I TE 4-flute solid-carbide endmill. With a radical new design, the HARVI I TE delivers outstanding performance in a broad range of materials, including steel, stainless steel, high-temperature alloys and cast iron. And thanks to significantly reduced cutting forces, this tool can be used on any machining center or mill/turn center in the shop.