The new Type W solid-carbide cutters from WNT (UK) Ltd, Sheffield (www.wnt.com), have been designed for the high-performance machining of aluminium and other light alloys typically used by the aerospace sector.

There are two styles of ripper cutters in the range, one with a geometry designed for pure roughing operations. This features a round chord profile and a ‘special grind’ to produce small chips that can be easily evacuated from the cutting area using the standard through-tool coolant facility.

Furthermore, the end geometry of these tools has been designed for plunging operations; and with a soft cutting action, they can be run at high feed rates — even on thin-walled and unstable workpieces.

The second ripper geometry, which can undertake both roughing and finishing operations, features a reinforced core and a flat spiral-flute design. Moreover, the addition of chip-breakers optimises chip control — even when machining long-chipping materials. As well as these ripper cutters, the Type W range includes 2-, 3-, 4- and multi-flute cutters with geometries developed for cutting light alloys and non-ferrous materials.

WNT has also developed new coatings for its Type W cutters, although customers wanting an extremely sharp cutting edge can specify uncoated. TI1005 is a multi-layer coating designed to provide excellent wear resistance while minimising the problem of built-up edge. For even greater wear resistance, WNT offers a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating that has an extremely high hardness rating (Hv 0.05) and a very low co-efficient of friction. DLC-coated tools can operate under both wet and dry conditions.