next-generation manufacturing - large diameter carbide end mills

Carbide-tipped cutting tools, more popularly, carbide cutting tools, have been in use for a plethora of materials on engine lathes, CNC lathes, turret lathes, vertical turret lathes and chuckers. While excellent wear resistance of carbide tools manifests their enduring operational life, it also positions them superior to other counterparts when it comes to surviving longer production runs. Research has proven time and again that carbide tools are highly efficient in comparison with other solid cutting tools and high speed steel (HSS) tools.

Ultraprecision processing is gaining traction across industries, as industries take efforts to maintain the improved product quality, safety and stability. Moreover, the paradigm shift to light weight and more compact products and components is translating into growing demand for carbide cutting tools that have a smaller diameter. Micro-precision machining that has emerged imperative in next-generation technological platforms such as Internet of Things (IoT), connected technologies, wearables and dyes for werables’ sensors, are highly likely to boost requirement of small-diameter endmills, particularly for cutting of dyes, majorly in aerospace and medical applications.

The latest Iscar LogiQuick campaign has unveiled a diverse range of new cutting tools, effectively replenishing the company's portfolio.

Ability of the tool to withstand stresses that cause it to wear during cutting; an attribute linked to alloy composition, base material, thermal conditions, type of tooling and operation and other variables.

Advanced Engineering, the UK’s premier annual event for the engineering and manufacturing sectors, has announced this year’s keynote speakers. The six industry leaders – and 150+ other speakers – will share their expertise and insights on critical industry issues during talks across several different forums. The two-day show will take place at the ...

According to the show organiser, the recent UK Metals Expo, which took place at the NEC in Birmingham in September concluded with resounding success, exceeding expectations for all involved.

Increasing incorporation of additive printing technology in manufacturing and measurement of precision carbide tools will ensure seamless flow of work right from manufacturing stages, through the value chain. The U.S. manufacturing giant specializing in engineering high-performance cutting tools,

With Walter GPS, manufacturers can now generate application-specific tool solutions. A new function also allows engineers to order Walter Xpress drilling and reaming tools directly. All functions the app already offers for standard drills are now also available for special tools for the first time.

With the most-anticipated entry of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and autonomous and self-driving vehicles to the mainstream in the near future, the subsequent reduction in the number of automotive components will possibly limit the demand for precision cutting tools. The exact ramifications of complete vehicle electrification on the growth of carbide tools market still remain to be unexplored. On the other side, heavy machinery and metal fabrication will also account for a combined share of more than a fourth of the global demand for carbide tools.

With Walter GPS, manufacturers can now generate application-specific tool solutions. A new function also allows engineers to order Walter Xpress drilling and reaming tools directly. All functions the app already offers for standard drills are now also available for special tools for the first time. If no standard tool is available for a given application, Walter GPS will display the ‘Walter Xpress button’ which can be used to configure special drilling and reaming tools and order them online. Users can simply enter the application, machining method and material into the Walter GPS system and they are immediately given suggestions for a suitable tool solution. This will include cutting data that is tailored to their specific machining objective. In the default setting, this method is always the most cost-efficient solution, however, the objective can vary from one application to another. For example, some manufacturers may have different priorities, such as surface quality, productivity or process reliability instead. After selecting the appropriate tool, Walter GPS first creates a dimensional sketch as a standard drawing. After an order is placed, within around 20 minutes this sketch is replaced by a quotation drawing based on the SAP data of the tool in the shopping basket. With this new function, Walter GPS users can order solid carbide and indexable insert drills and directly compare them. In addition to the drill bodies for indexable insert drills, the compatible indexable inserts can also be configured and ordered directly. Furthermore, Walter GPS offers advanced options for intermediate diameters and step tools that have not been available until now. When ordered online via Walter GPS, Walter Xpress tools are delivered in around two to four weeks. Plans are in place to extend this new function so that it covers threading and groove turning in 2023. Walter GBwww.walter-tools.com

Besides automotive and transportation, carbide tool sales are majorly favored by the growth of heavy engineering industry, industrial production and fabrication. Driven prominently by the automotive and aerospace industries, the revenue contribution of automotive and transportation in the carbide cutting tools market will be more than 55 percent in the next few years.

Turning machine capable of sawing, milling, grinding, gear-cutting, drilling, reaming, boring, threading, facing, chamfering, grooving, knurling, spinning, parting, necking, taper-cutting, and cam- and eccentric-cutting, as well as step- and straight-turning. Comes in a variety of forms, ranging from manual to semiautomatic to fully automatic, with major types being engine lathes, turning and contouring lathes, turret lathes and numerical-control lathes. The engine lathe consists of a headstock and spindle, tailstock, bed, carriage (complete with apron) and cross slides. Features include gear- (speed) and feed-selector levers, toolpost, compound rest, lead screw and reversing lead screw, threading dial and rapid-traverse lever. Special lathe types include through-the-spindle, camshaft and crankshaft, brake drum and rotor, spinning and gun-barrel machines. Toolroom and bench lathes are used for precision work; the former for tool-and-die work and similar tasks, the latter for small workpieces (instruments, watches), normally without a power feed. Models are typically designated according to their “swing,” or the largest-diameter workpiece that can be rotated; bed length, or the distance between centers; and horsepower generated. See turning machine.

The HyproJET X6 from Ceratizit is based on an improved and patented design which makes is possible to increase cutting performance, leading and lifetime.

The global vehicle parc is thriving steadily, of which the Asia-Oceania-Middle East cluster currently accounts for over 35 percent share. While the share of the Americas, i.e. just-under a third of the total automotive parc, also reflects significant opportunities for carbide tools manufacturers, that of the former will remain the most prominent factor boosting carbide tools demand within the concerned regions.

Sweden-based Sandvik has been a leader in the advanced cemented carbide tools space and will maintain the strategic focus on R&D. For the company, close customer collaboration and consistent increase in the investments have been the equally profitable strategies, so far. More importantly, the company has been investing efforts in leading towards a more sustainable future of the industry through the novel carbide recycling system.

More than the efficient 3D measurement of carbide cutting tools, the company values the user-friendly controls on the EdgeMaster. The measurements are leading to the robust growth in productivity of the company and an excellent measurement data for future reference.

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MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK (MSC) is celebrating a successful season after sponsoring two local youth football teams during the 2023/2024 campaign.

Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

The latest Iscar LogiQuick campaign has unveiled a diverse range of new cutting tools, effectively replenishing the company's portfolio.

The new 3D system manufactured by the Illinois-based company has reportedly facilitated the prototype development and IMCO Carbide Tools is now relying on it for a more versatile, multiple-attributed measurement than ever. IMCO’s milling cutters with maximum 13 flutes are known to have above-average surface finish despite dealing with the most difficult-to-machine surface materials. The R&D center of IMCO is witnessing an effective prototype cutting tools measurement record by the EdgeMaster.

After selecting the appropriate tool, Walter GPS first creates a dimensional sketch as a standard drawing. After an order is placed, within around 20 minutes this sketch is replaced by a quotation drawing based on the SAP data of the tool in the shopping basket.

Furthermore, the competitive price point of carbide cutting tools ensures they remain a preferred, cost-effective choice over others. Although the tips of carbide tools are manufactured of high-quality expensive carbide, the rest of the make of these tools, i.e. shank and body are generally made from high-quality yet cost-competitive hardened tool steel. With an excellent capability of improving the overall surface finish, carbide tipped tools have always been cited as compatible to high machining temperatures, thereby slashing down the overall machining cycle time.

Furthermore, Walter GPS offers advanced options for intermediate diameters and step tools that have not been available until now. When ordered online via Walter GPS, Walter Xpress tools are delivered in around two to four weeks. Plans are in place to extend this new function so that it covers threading and groove turning in 2023.

Precision Micro, a global leader in photochemical etching technology, has announced its first major production order following the expansion of its etching capabilities to manufacture flow plates for renewable energy applications.

With this new function, Walter GPS users can order solid carbide and indexable insert drills and directly compare them. In addition to the drill bodies for indexable insert drills, the compatible indexable inserts can also be configured and ordered directly.

Main body of a tool; the portion of a drill or similar end-held tool that fits into a collet, chuck or similar mounting device.

Grooves and spaces in the body of a tool that permit chip removal from, and cutting-fluid application to, the point of cut.

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Towards the end of 2019, it is highly likely that the global sales of carbide cutting tools will account for the revenues exceeding US$ 5 billion, and in the next 10 years, surpassing US$ 10 billion. While a recent research foresees strong annual growth outlook for the revenues of global carbide tools market, a 6.4 percent increase has been envisaged this year, over 2018.

Retooling, resharpening and reconditioning of existing carbide cutting tools seems an attractive area of investment, luring OEMs, which is anticipated to add to the cost-competitive, sustainable efforts of the carbide tools market as a whole.

This will include cutting data that is tailored to their specific machining objective. In the default setting, this method is always the most cost-efficient solution, however, the objective can vary from one application to another. For example, some manufacturers may have different priorities, such as surface quality, productivity or process reliability instead.

If no standard tool is available for a given application, Walter GPS will display the ‘Walter Xpress button’ which can be used to configure special drilling and reaming tools and order them online. Users can simply enter the application, machining method and material into the Walter GPS system and they are immediately given suggestions for a suitable tool solution.

Sharvari Rale is an experienced market research writer and has written extensively on the industrial automation and equipment, and automotive domains. At Future Market Insights (FMI), she works closely with the automotive, and industrial automation and equipment research teams to serve the needs of clients from across the globe. The information presented here is taken from FMI’s report on Carbide Tools Market.

Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

IMCO Carbide Tool, recently announced the replacement of an old surface measurement system that measures edges of drills, mills, inserts and several other round cutting tools irrespective of their material, type, size and surface finish. The company is now using Alicona Corp’s EdgeMaster optical 3D measuring system.

Cutting tool material consisting of natural or synthetic diamond crystals bonded together under high pressure at elevated temperatures. PCD is available as a tip brazed to a carbide insert carrier. Used for machining nonferrous alloys and nonmetallic materials at high cutting speeds.

A majority of the opportunities for carbide tools manufacturers lie in lathe machines or automatic machines. Increasing preference of end users for machine-based configuration of carbide cutting tools is more likely to supress the applicability of tools with hand-based configuration, as the former supports convenient operation and handling demands, promotes high-speed compatibility and offers extraordinary proficiency.

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Sandvik AB, the first company manufacturing rock tools with cemented carbide, announced the launch of a new group, PowerCarbide – highlighting its rock tool capabilities with cemented carbide. This new range is being claimed to be stronger, tougher, harder and a little more wear resistant. The overall drilling performance is expected to significantly high than ever, in addition to the substantially cost competitive pricing.

The HyproJET X6 from Ceratizit is based on an improved and patented design which makes is possible to increase cutting performance, leading and lifetime.

Emphasizing development of customized carbide tools at competitive prices will remain one of the key strategies among participants in the global cutting tools landscape. Competitive Carbide Inc. (CCI in Ohio), recently acquired by the U.S. manufacturer and distributor of precision cutting tools, Arch Global Precision, is globally recognized for its range of customized milling tools, including endmills and reamers, solid-carbide mills, custom inserts and indexable precision tools. Arch will now have an extended portfolio of offerings, significantly supplementing its PCD tooling capabilities. CCI has also taken over a new state-of-the-art facility for custom tools manufacturing.

Drills and mills are emerging highly lucrative in the carbide tools market. However, carbide drills will continue to hold an edge over carbide mills. While former continue to gain ground in automotive applications – prominently related to engines, the latter will particularly will adoption for applications in fabrication. Significantly billowing consumption of carbide burs are key boosters to their high applicability in thermal deburring applications, whereas tipped reamers will also remain a significantly preferred type of carbide tools in the global market.

MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK (MSC) is celebrating a successful season after sponsoring two local youth football teams during the 2023/2024 campaign.