(For full article on new Duratomic, see 'Changing the game, again')
Explains Mark Quinn, Seco Tools (UK)'s area business manager, North East: "We were invited to trial our new Duratomic insert technology for a customer in the North East who was looking to increase tool life and improve swarf control in steel turning applications."
Seco Tools (UK) proposed using the new Duratomic TP2501 grade for the machining trial, which would involve external rough machining of 817M40T steel on a Mazak Nexus 350 turning centre.
Continues Quinn: "The customer had, prior to the machining trial, been using a competitor's product, employing the following cutting speeds, feeds and depth of cut - 250 m/min; 0.3 mm/rev; Ap 3.5 mm.
"By using the Duratomic TP2501 grade, the customer was able to increase cutting data - specifically speed and feeds, to 350 m/min; 0.4 mm/rev - whilst maintaining the same depth of cut.
"Furthermore, in addition to delivering cycle time reductions, the tough and wear-resistant TP2501 grade also increased part-per-edge productivity, from four parts per edge to 10 parts per edge, achieving an overall cost saving of 44%."
Following this, the user has asked Seco Tool (UK) to undertake more extensive and widespread trials, with a view to standardising its insert grade inventory and adopting Duratomic for all their steel turning requirements.
Concludes Quinn: "This is just one example of where a customer has seen our new Duratomic insert technology being put through its paces and has been 'bowled over' with the results. The bottom line is that Duratomic delivers."
