WNT (UK)'s 300 m² stand will highlight a multitude of developments at MACH 2014

Featuring among these is the range of HCR1135 inserts for steel turning under unstable and difficult machining conditions. These inserts complete WNT's steel turning range, complementing the existing HCX 1115 and HCX1125 series of inserts. Operating in the ISO P35 range, the HCR1135 inserts are ideal for applications where components have intermittent or difficult-to-machine surfaces, such as forgings and cast steel components with hard skins, or where the cut is heavily interrupted. Typical materials that can be cut with HCR1135 are all steel alloys, iron castings and stainless steels. The advantage of HCR1135 is the extended tool life that is a result of the carbide substrate, WNT's Dragonskin tool coating and, for certain inserts in the range, a completely new geometry. In a typical example, machining a turbine component from 1.4351 (X3CrNi13-4) material, with interrupted cut, tool life was increased by 200% when using identical cutting data employed with the previous generation inserts. Elsewhere, EcoCut, which makes the most of limited turret space on smaller CNC lathes, reduces set-up times and also cycle times, as additional turret indexes are not required, will see new developments that enhance these benefits. These developments include new substrates and coatings across the range, increased process security (due to the use of TorxPlus clamping screws for insert location) and the use of WNT's unique Highlight coating on the cutter body that greatly extends the life of the body and helps improve swarf removal. EcoCut users now have the choice of three new grades of carbide that cover a wide range of cutting applications and material families. For general steel and cast iron machining, there is the Dragonskin HCR1425 grade, which features an advanced AL2O3-TiN CVD coating to provide excellent wear resistance at elevated cutting speeds. For general steel machining, the choice is the AL2O3-TiN CVD coated Dragonskin HCR1435 grade, which is also good for very tough materials with interrupted cut or where the machining conditions are not ideal. Finally, there is the Dragonskin HCN2430 universal grade for stainless steel, heat resistant materials, steel and cast iron with its TiALN PVD coating. "Our customers are demanding greater productivity and performance from their cutting tools," says Tony Pennington, managing director, WNT (UK). "By evolving existing product ranges and working closely with customers, through our experienced team of Technical Sales Engineers, to develop machining strategies and improve tool life and performance, we are able to deliver improved productivity and cost savings across a wide range of applications. The result has seen WNT generate significant sales growth throughout last year and MACH will provide a fantastic opportunity to spread the WNT message of productivity and cost savings to a wider audience." MACH 2014 - Birmingham NEC, 7-11 April