For improving machining performance on high-alloy and stainless-steel materials, Birmingham-based Guhring Ltd (
www. guhring.co.uk) has introduced the RF100 Speed solid-carbide end mill, which is designed to combine a small radial depth of cut with a high axial depth of cut.
The RF100 Speed is available in two versions. The standard-length version (2xD cut length) is provided with a straight-cutting design for slotting, roughing and finishing, while the extra-long series (3xD cut length) features chip-breakers spaced along the flute to reduce chip size during long machining cycles.
The face geometry features a 48deg helix angle and unequal flute spacing. Such a high helix angle would have potentially weakened the wedge angle, so Guhring has extended the land angle to help retain edge strength.
Both the standard-length and extra-long series are available in 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20mm diameters, with shank diameters from 6 to 20mm. The overall length of the tools ranges from 57 to 104mm for the standard-length tools and from 57 to 124mm for the longer versions. Maximum depth of cut is from 8 to 45mm and 12 to 65mm for the standard and extra-long series respectively.