Sumitomo Auroracoat Wavemill WAX milling cutters rough and finish aluminium, without coolant

The combination of the Auroracoat chemical vapour deposition diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coating with the Wavemill WAX cutter and AECT style inserts improves adhesion resistance and overcomes chip adhesion (built-up edge) – one of the major problems limiting performance when milling aluminium. WAX cutters can be used for face, progressive ramp cutting and helical milling applications creating true 90º shoulders due to the high accuracy combination of the insert and pocket. Cutters can be run at speeds up to 1,200 m/min and feedrates up to 0.25 mm per tooth. Smooth chip flow created by the DLC coating and the 'Wave' design of the insert series significantly reduces cutting forces and helps to extend tool life, says Sumitomo. Due to the ultra-low coefficient of friction at the cutting edge, the resulting reduction in cutting force increases the exit velocity of the chip from the cutting zone. It also has the beneficial effect of increasing the shear angle, chip thickness and the resulting curl size. Meanwhile, chip contact time with the insert is reduced, further lowering any generation of frictional heat. DLC-coated AECT style inserts are available with nose radii between 0.4 and 5 mm. WAX endmill cutter bodies are available in short (E) or extended length versions (EL) up to 220 mm overall length and in diameters of 20, 25, 32 and 40 mm. Meanwhile, WAX 3000RS shellmill bodies, having a diameter range between 50 and 125 mm, can be specified with between four and seven teeth. All bodies have through-the-tool coolant feed as standard and have been specifically hard coated as protection from wear and damage. Rigid centre screw clamping prevents insert dislodgement that could be caused by centrifugal force in high speed applications. The cutters and inserrts are available through Sumitomo Electric Hard Metal of Princes Risborough.