Tooling manufacturer Horn Cutting Tools Ltd (www.phorn.co.uk) has introduced tools for thread whirling with six or nine inserts, thereby providing a cost-effective way to produce single- and multi-start external threads and profiles.

According to the Ringwood-based company, short cycle times are achievable when used on sliding-head lathes, with the process offering many further advantages over single-point thread cutting.

With its base carriers and ring cassettes, the type M271 modular tool system offers a multitude of combinations tailored to the various Swiss-type lathes and drive units on the market.

It allows customers to choose either conventional whirling, with six or nine indexable inserts per ring cassette, or the new Horn turbo-whirling method, which uses nine precision-ground double-edged indexable inserts.

Three are for roughing, with the remainder being finishing inserts; all are tailored to the thread profile and material to be machined, and all the cutting edges are subject to equal load — an additional factor in extending tool life.

The inserts are held in place by a Torx screw, to ensure simplified insert replacement.

A tool ‘configurator’, which is available on the Horn Web site, helps the user to choose the right combination of machine, drive unit and tool.