Designed for use on all materials in the ISO material groups P, M, K, S and H up to 55 HRC, the thread-mills can be used for thread depths of up to 2.5D and a pitch range of 1.5 to 6 mm or 18-4 TPI.
In addition to ease of handling and excellent thread quality, users of the new tools will also benefit from high levels of productivity at a lower cost per thread – in one test, involving the production of a 70 mm deep M36 thread on a wind turbine component, the cutters reduced costs by 45% and cut machining time by a fifth. In addition, tool life was 540 parts per cutting edge with Walter’s T2711, compared to 300 parts with a competitor tool.
Having multiple cutting rows and adjustable coolant supply with selectable radial or axial coolant outlets, the cutters’ specially developed inserts each have three cutting edges with a soft-cutting geometry and special chip breaker design.
With duplicated cutting rows, multiple thread sections can be machined simultaneously at high cutting parameters, achieving machining times comparable with those associated with thread tapping and forming.
However, in addition to quick machining, users also benefit from the high process reliability of the thread milling process and the cost benefits of an indexable insert tool – “reducing costs by up to 90%”, says Walter GB.
