Sumitomo tooling squares up to energy-related cutting challenge

The cutter bodies feature a new development for precise positioning and location of the insert, courtesy of a durable thickened support behind the insert, as well as an 'R'-shaped pocket feature giving more efficient swarf control. The new positioning design includes a series of formed tangs in the insert and a stable mounting position in the body; the insert is positively locked in position against a conical clamping face. Sumitomo's physical vapour deposition (PVD) Super ZX coating is used on the new ACM100 and ACM300 insert grades, while its Super FF chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coating is used on the ACM200 insert grade. These coatings almost double tool life, in particular boosting fracture resistance, compared to conventional inserts, according to the manufacturer. While insert sizes of 10 mm have a maximum of four corners, insert sizes of 12 and 16 mm provide a greater economic advantage of eight corners. A recent trial compared the cutting of Inconel 718 components using 50 mm diameter RSX cutter bodies having four teeth and 12 mm ACM200 grade inserts with a competitor's 50 mm diameter, five-tooth cutter body with 12 mm inserts. The Sumitomo tooling was run at a surface speed of 70 m/min and feed rate of 0.45 mm/tooth, compared to 50 m/min and 0.15 mm for the competitor. Both tools cut at 1.5 mm depth of cut across a 50 mm width under dry conditions. However, despite having one less insert, the Sumitomo RSX cutter produced more than twice the number of components. The RSX cutter and ACM insert range adds to Sumitomo's recent Wave Mill, 'Metal Slash' Mill, Dual and Face Mill line-ups, which are now covered in a new overview brochure.