This is in conjunction with Open Mind’s hyperMILL MAXX Machining CAM software.
Launched recently at a presentation at Sheffield’s AMRC, these cutters can deliver cycle time reductions of 90% in finish machining operations on 5-axis machines. These reductions are compared to using more conventional ball-nose cutters and milling techniques for machining pockets and deep walled components, typically found in the aerospace and mould and die sectors.
In addition to reducing cycle times, the circular segment cutters can also deliver surface finish improvements as the extremely large, effective, radius of the cutters enables greater step-over distances to be achieved. In comparison, a typical ball-nose cutter would have a step-over distance (or axial depth of cut) of around 0.5mm achieving surface finish of Ra 1.22 micron.
With the circular segment cutters the step-over can increase to 1.5mm, with surface finish measuring Ra 0.46 micron. Typical cutting data for a 6mm diameter circular segment cutter with three flutes machining tool steel (1.2312) will be 300mm/min surface speed, 16m/min feedrate and an axial depth of cut (ap) of 1.5mm and radial depth of cut (ae) of 0.2mm.
Another advantage is that the machining strategy allows hard to reach planes on a component to be machined, such as deep walls in a pocket on an airframe or mould tool that would be impossible to reach for conventional end-mills.
Visitors to the WNT stand can also discuss a number of other tooling developments, including the new sliding head tooling range, which has its own dedicated catalogue, containing over 11,000 items, 5000 of which are brand new to the WNT range and offer significant advantages to those using sliding head machine technology.
This catalogue is a one-stop-shop for all things sliding head tooling related and key product inclusions are: solid carbide slitting saws, new grades for DECO-style tools, an extensive range of guide bushes and collets as well as the brand new XHeadClamp system of interchangeable tools, that allows inserts or styles of tool to be changed in less than five seconds, with guaranteed positioning of the cutting edge, saving valuable production time.
WNT www.wnt.com
