Walter has introduced the TC685 Supreme orbital drill/thread milling cutter, which reduces hard machining times by producing the core hole, the chamfer and thread in one operation. The cutter's face milling geometry is specifically designed for core hole creation and chamfering. After chamfering to start a hole in the workpiece material, the tool creates the core hole and thread using helical interpolation.

Applications include blind-hole and through-hole threads in steel and hardened steel from 44 to 65 HRC (ISO P and H material groups). The tool is designed for producing thread depths of 2 × D and 2.5 × D_N. Areas of use include mold and die making, and general mechanical engineering, among others. The tool is suitable for machining a range of metric thread sizes from M2 to M20.

The TC685 Supreme cutter is a left-hand cutting tool that features a 15° helix angle for excellent chip removal. Cooling with compressed air makes it possible to achieve maximum tool life in materials harder than 50 HRC. Additionally, internal coolant delivery is available for tools that create the M6 size through the larger thread sizes. The tool shank is in accordance with the DIN 6535 HA standard.

Potential benefits include maximum process reliability, a very low cost per thread and a reduction in the number of tool positions that are required. The new geometry and post-treatment process reduces torque requirements and extends tool life. The TC685 Supreme orbital drill/thread milling cutter is a cost-effective solution even for small and medium batch sizes.

The Walter lineup of products consists of three categories to its tools. Supreme indicates the highest level of technology and performance available. Perform tools are products that provide an economical solution with focused importance on price and Advance which indicates product efficiently balanced between price and performance.