Modern milling tools in harmony with CNC

CNC milling machines and machining centres have brought about the need for more capable and universal milling cutters. The development of more advanced milling tools over the past few years is a response to this requirement. In the past, a dedicated or special tool was in many cases the only efficient solution for many applications, especially as batches were large. Today, when more flexibility in production is needed, new milling cutter concepts are providing both broadly capable tools. Modern tool-design and manufacturing have made it possible to realize sophisticated tool concepts that utilize CNC machine tools, increase production output and make the machining process more reliable. Standardizations in technology are of course crucial to manufacturing because, through them, we speak the same language and know the limits that apply. But there are instances when standards actually break the pace of development. It then becomes necessary to escape from the constraints that hinder the introduction of better solutions. One such instance is the development of milling tools. Milling cutters and inserts used to be defined by ISO standards offered users interchangeable tools from different tool suppliers. But having to comply with standards imposes limitations on the milling cutters and inserts. ISO codes prescribe shape, thickness, and inscribed circle of cutting inserts as well as indicating the size of insert-holding cartridges and wedge clamps, along with the tool bodies that hold them. With only a limited scope in insert grade, hone and chip-breaker design, tool suppliers and users adhering to ISO standards faced serious technological and performance limitations. In contrast to ISO-style milling tools, today's milling tool concepts provide tool developers with the freedom to use new cutter and insert designs, where these can be optimized to provide better all-round capability for CNC machining. Machining security, accuracy, surface finish, capability for different cutting paths, removal rates, tool overhang and high-speed machining are issues that can be tackled better through new cutter concepts. Today's concept milling tools, optimized for operations and materials, are widely accepted throughout industry. Some 80% of all the milling tools supplied from Sandvik Coromant, for example, are CoroMill cutters. It removes metal several times faster and with smaller and more suitably directed cutting forces than would be possible with any ISO-standard cutter. With only a fraction of the typical runout of ISO cutters, concept cutters consistently hold closer component-tolerances and also develop less and more favorable cutting edge wear. Axial and radial runout is at a minimum and this means better cutting edge accuracy for improved surface finish, tighter part tolerances and longer tool-life. They also distribute machining loads evenly to cut faster with less noise, vibration, and wear. These modern concept tools also provide the technology for high-spindle speeds, fast-feed milling and hard part machining, as well as expanding opportunities for dry milling. CoroMill design features make the concept tool leaner in design, needing a minimum of setting and maintenance. Rigid and accurate cutter bodies are machined from pre-hardened steel with inserts located accurately in milling cutters that provide choices of different teeth-pitches to suit applications. The consequences of using out-dated milling tools can be substantial to the machining economics as well as production security. Machine shops that carry on using milling cutters that are not part of more recent concept developments are losing out to a notable degree in their capability to be competitive in manufacturing. Investing in sophisticated machining centres and other rotating-spindle machinery for milling but not continually updating the milling tools and inserts is only going half the distance. Jordan Hydro 6 Sandals