Princes Risborough-based Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Ltd (www.sumitomotool.com) has expanded its RSX series of Wave Radius milling cutters.

Although the existing cutters are applicable to the milling of exotic alloys, the range now includes RSX08000 and RSX20000 for more general-purpose applications — and the insert grades ACP200 and ACK300 have been added.

The ACP200 insert grade is targeted at the milling of stainless steels and die steels, while ACK300 is for cast irons and ductile irons. Both types incorporate Sumitomo’s Super ZX PVD coating.

According to Sumitomo, this nano-technology coating has a film hardness that is some 40% greater than ‘more conventional’ inserts, thereby allowing machining to be carried out at least 1.5-times more efficiently — and with tool life doubled.

Vibration during cutting is minimised by a combination of the high-stability RSX cutter body and the multi-coated AC-series inserts, which have a high rake angle.

Used with shank-, shell- and modular-type tool-holders, the cutter is aimed at applications where a basic lack of rigidity is present, perhaps due to weak set-ups or complex workpiece design.

A series of formed tangs on the insert helps to ensure a precise and stable location in the body, while an ‘R’-shaped pocket is said to give more-efficient swarf control.

The shank-, shell- and modular-type holders are available in standard- and fine-pitch variants, with shank types now covering diameters from 20 to 32mm.

Modular types are available with external diameters between 20 and 40mm; for shell cutters, the diameter range is 40-160mm.