Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal combines novel features in end mills and slot mills

The GSX Solid End mill series covers diameters from 0.2 to 30 mm with between two and four teeth and in four flute lengths between 1.5XD to 4XD enabling use in a wide array of applications. Tool types include end mill and slot drill, ball mill and anti-vibration cutters with either square or radius forms (round land). The fine carbide substrate used across the range provides resistance to thermal shock and high transverse rupture strength for in-cut reliability under wet cutting applications on alloy, stainless steel, heat resisting alloys and titanium. Sumitomo-developed Super ZX multi-layer TiAiN/AlCrN coating increases hardness by 40% and resistance to oxidation. Compared with conventional grades this formula allows cutting speeds to be increased by up to 1.5 times with double the tool life, says the company. The GSX ball mill with two teeth is available between 0.4 and 30 mm diameter. It has a large helix angle to reduce friction under cut and the expanded pocket area enables high chip evacuation across a range of materials from soft to hardened steels. GSX Anti-Vibration end mills with four teeth are available in square or radius versions. The tools have optimised irregular pitch which delays the onset of vibration and chatter. Lower cutting forces are required due to the tool design allowing higher speed and feedrates to be maintained. The rounded land versions also contribute to obtaining higher surface quality in the component being processed. There are two versions of slot drill for multi-purpose applications, with the 'S' having a sharp corner to the three-flute cutter for drilling and milling applications. Sumitomo says the tool is ideal for use on thin sheet material and on smaller machining centres and milling machines. Meanwhile the 'C' cutters have a 'gash' land with high fracture resistance.