As part of the agreement, Ringwood-based Horn Cutting Tools will sell Boehlerit-branded ISO turning and milling tools in the UK from 1 January 2017. Similar agreements have been reached in Germany, France, the USA and China.
Mike Green, general manager of Horn in the UK comments: “The aim of the strategic cooperation is twofold. First, it will enable both companies to combine the product and sales synergies of their organisations. Secondly, it is an opportunity for the two medium-sized, family-run businesses to grow together by developing carefully targeted markets.”
The Boehlerit range of ISO turning tools is said to complement the products from Horn’s own grooving tool range. Similarly, the new Boehlerit milling cutter range will enable Horn to enhance its own portfolio of high-performance prismatic machining products by introducing a wide selection of tools. In this way, Horn will be able to build on its position as a supplier of tools for technically demanding applications by establishing itself in the area of general machining as well.
For example, in ISO turning products, new ‘chip channel’ turning geometries introduced by Boehlerit will play a key role in improving cost-effective machining, in combination with the carbide and coating. The manufacturer used a high-speed camera to carry out a precise chip-breaking analysis for each turning application so that the best possible chip flow characteristics could be developed.
That effort has resulted in optimum turning geometries for machining steel as well as solutions to the problems posed by special steel grades and superalloys. A new, harder gradient carbide ensures a high degree of machining reliability and a more wear-resistant, MT-CVD carbide coating results in higher cutting speeds. Primarily, this is achieved by increasing the thickness of the patented Nanolock TiCN layer.
The new LCM20T turning grade for indexable inserts enables cutting speeds of more than 200 m/min to be achieved when turning stainless steels. The reliable, heat-resistant carbide exhibits high resistance to plastic deformation, as does the BCS20T grade for machining titanium. The peripherally ground CNGG 120408-BCU inserts, which are available in the Steeltec grades LCP15T and LCP25T, offer high machining reliability for a wide range of steels, as does the Supertec LC415Z grade, which has proven itself to be ideal for superalloys and stainless steel.
Boehlerit’s range of milling tools is based on eight innovative tool programmes. They include a pair of multifunctional tool systems that support two different machining operations with one main body, thereby cutting body-related and storage costs. Additionally, the range encompasses everything from economical, high-feed tools through to face milling cutters with indexable inserts whose technical features include 16 cutting edges in the direction of rotation.
In total, there are 12 new milling grades. They combine machining reliability with cost-effectiveness, and said to be ideal for face milling and corner milling. A particular highlight is the patented TERAspeed 2.0 AlTiN layer. The high aluminium content of this layer and its innovative nanostructure have for the first time made it possible to combine conflicting properties, such as high toughness, extreme layer thickness and wear resistance.
Another innovative carbide that has been specifically designed for milling is the thick PVD AlTiN Goldlox top coating. With its high wear resistance at elevated temperatures, it improves tool life significantly when working with various types of steel. Other positive features of the range are the tough and wear-resistant grades for stainless steel and superalloys.
