The innovative new range of end-mills incorporates a proprietary pocket design that enables use of multiple insert radii in one body definition. Furthermore, the inserts retain their axial positioning, regardless of the insert corner nose radius. The high speed aluminium profiling and pocket milling range is capable of machining at speeds up to 3,000 m/min, with high speed cylindrical end-mills, cutting monoblocks and shell-mills available in diameter ranges from 25 to 32 mm, 25 to 50 mm and 40 to 80 mm, respectively.
With a technologically advanced cutter body design, the new VHSC Series permits heavy feeding and ramping, whilst the flute design and internal coolant channels are engineered to evacuate chips efficiently. A figure of 8,600 cm3/min of material removed is possible. This performance is credit to the tool body design and the high speed cutting XDET-ALP insert geometry line. This super-positive ALP geometry is manufactured from wear-resistant micro-grain carbide that has a polished rake face to reduce built-up edges. The inserts are offered with two geometries. The FR-ALP with an ultra-sharp cutting edge for rough to finish machining on lower powered machine tools that demand low cutting forces. The ER-ALP inserts have a honed cutting edge and high strength geometry for rough machining and the processing of cast components and other challenging aluminium applications.
The multi-purpose insert seats permit the installation of both large and small corner radii inserts, a feature that reduces costs for the end user. Insert seats allow inserts with corner radii from 0.4 to 6.0 mm - regardless of the chosen insert, the axial gauge length on the cutter will always be the same and the Ap1 max will always remain 16 mm.
With regard to the tool body designations, the new Widia VHSC from ITC has an end mill offering with a two-insert 25 mm and a three-insert pocket 32 mm diameter that is available with an overall length of 131 or 135 mm. The larger diameter monoblocks are available with diameters of 25, 32, 40 and 50 mm and the option of two, three or four insert seats, depending on the chosen diameter. For higher material removal rates on larger surfaces, the high speed shell-mills have diameters of 40, 50, 63 and 80 mm with an overall length of 45 or 50 mm. This short length design retains rigidity and performance, whilst the three-, four- and five-insert pocket options give customers a solution for all high feed machining needs.
