MicroTurn tackles unleaded brass alloys

For manufacturers experiencing the scourge of stringy swarf when using small boring tools to machine materials such as unleaded brass or aluminium, Floyd Automatic Tooling has now introduced a useful new addition to the Ifanger MicroTurn internal boring tool system.

Materials such as unleaded brass can create a bird’s nest effect with swarf during the cutting process. This results in manufacturers manually intervening during machining cycles to remove the swarf to prevent re-cutting and also the potential for component damage.

With the arrival of these new geometry Ifanger MicroTurn boring tools, lost production time, poor surface finishes and the inability to conduct long-running unmanned machining are now eliminated when conducting internal turning and boring operations.

This frees up the machine shop to manufacture high-quality components while running for extended periods unmanned. Overcoming this challenge, the Ifanger MicroTurn has an innovative geometry design that gives end users the confidence to produce a wide variety of parts from materials such as lead-free brass.

The new Ifanger MicroTurn is available in two different types – the MicroTurn MTEP for rough internal turning and boring and the MicroTurn MTEF for finishing operations. Each of the designations is available in three product length ratios of 2 x D, 3 x D and 5 x D that presents tools from 26 to 53mm in length.

Supplied with a through coolant facility, the MicroTurn series is available with a robust 4mm or 6mm diameter solid carbide shank that minimises vibration while enhancing strength, longevity, tool life and performance.

The MicroTurn MTEP for roughing is available in diameters from 2.5mm to 6mm diameter, enabling manufacturers to efficiently machine bores and intricate internal features from 2.5mm diameter and upwards with high productivity levels.

To achieve even greater results when machining non-ferrous alloys, Ifanger has also developed the MicroTurn series with an optional Diamond Like Coating (DLC) that can ramp up productivity and tool life performance on a host of materials.

Complementing the MicroTurn MTEP for roughing is the MTEF for finish turning. The geometry of the MTEF presents the highest quality surface finishes and performance when conducting turning operations on small bores.

To maximise performance on the smallest and most detailed bores from 1mm to 2.2mm diameter, the MTEF has a sharp edge for high precision while tools from 2.5 to 6mm incorporate a 0.05mm corner radius to prolong tool life and reliability.

For such intricate and precise operations, the MicroTurn MTEF finish turning series can achieve a surface finish from Ra1µm to as fine a finish as Ra 0.1µm depending upon the chosen tool and machining parameters.

With a 12⁰ rake angle, a cutting length from 1.2 to 30mm and an overall length from 26 to 53mm, the Ifanger MicroTurn is a turning tool of choice for manufacturers battling the issue of swarf when machining lead-free brass.

Floyd Automatic Tooling
www.floydautomatic.co.uk