The CoroMill Plura HFS (high-feed side milling) range of cutters from Sandvik Coromant (www.sandvik.coromant.com) has been designed for machining steels and stainless steels. They can also enhance productivity when processing difficult-to-machine materials such as heat-resistant super-alloys and titanium.

These tools also allow machinists to use the latest machining strategies — such as trochoidal milling — to enhance productivity and process reliability by using CAM software that provides a constant maximum chip thickness and a short arc of contact.

Furthermore, applying the complete cutting length of the end mill allows these tools to achieve higher rates of metal removal with smaller-diameter cutters, compared to indexable milling and traditional milling strategies.

Features of CoroMill Plura HFS include: an unequal helix flute design that provides a variable angular pitch in every axial section, to increase the chatter-free material removal rate; and an asymmetrical chip-breaker profile that improves chip evacuation and minimises the risk of edge chipping and tool breakage. These milling cutters also feature a conical core shape, with a smaller core dia-meter at the face to improve chip evacuation.

The GC1740 grade used for these cutters is particularly tough and resists the bending forces generated when using a 4xD length of cut. In addition, Sandvik’s Tailor Made facility offers CoroMill Plura end mills suitable for 5xD milling.