Kyocera SGS is offering to regrind and recoat worn end mills in its Z5 HPR high performance range, sized 10 mm diameter or above, free of charge, provided that they are not irreparably damaged. Alternatively, it will send out a replacement milling cutter in exchange for a worn tool within 24 hours to ensure continuity of production at a customer’s factory. The offer is valid for two regrinds or exchanges per tool.
The Z5 HPR solid carbide range of tools is designed for roughing titanium and nickel alloys, cast irons and alloy steels including stainless grades. The regrinding and recoating services are both carried out at the Kyocera SGS European headquarters and technical centre in Wokingham, Berkshire.
Alan Pearce, the company’s EU managing director, says that the service is down to the high quality of the end mills. He says: “It is a reflection of the quality of our solid carbide end mills that can be repeatedly reground for the life of the cutter unless the teeth are beyond repair when we inspect them - and there is no restriction on the number of tools that a customer can send us.”
Customers have a choice of two multi-layer, wear-resistant coatings. Tinamite M offers reduced friction and prevents built-up edge when machining difficult materials like titanium at high metal removal rates. Optionally, Tinamite A is highly resistant to abrasion and erosion and is more suited to cutting stainless steels and nickel alloys along with steels and cast iron.
Z5 HPR end mills are available in diameters ranging from 3 to 25 mm. A variety of square and corner radius options may be specified, as well as many different lengths. Due to its asymmetry, the variable 5-flute pattern suppresses chatter over a wide spindle speed range – in fact the design is being patented. Kyocera SGS says that a surface finish of 0.8 Ra or better is normally achieved, even during aggressive roughing.
