A new milling cutter and new inserts have been introduced by Chesterfield-based Dormer Pramet (www.dormerpramet.com).

The SOD05 cutter is designed to reduce tool change-over times and inventory costs with its universal pocket, which can carry octagonal, round and square inserts.

This means that the cutter — available in diameters from 32 to 125mm — can perform face milling, shoulder milling, slotting, plunging and ramping in steel, stainless steel, cast iron and non-ferrous materials.

To support the SOD05 cutter, Dormer Pramet has added to its range of octagonal (OD), round (RD) and square (SD) inserts. The OD insert has eight cutting edges and offers low cutting forces, making it an economic option for face milling.

RD inserts are suitable for high-feed roughing, shallow profiling and ramping, while SD inserts have four cutting edges and offer a 90deg option for square-shoulder milling at depths of cut up to 10mm.

All insert types have the same radial and axial positions of edges, allowing for easier CNC programming.

Another development from Dormer Pramet is a new range of small-diameter cutters (12-40mm) for turn-milling operations, with a high number of teeth to improve productivity. To support these cutters, a range of SOMT 05 inserts has been developed.

With four cutting edges for general machining, these single-sided inserts offer depths of cut up to 4.5mm and feature a sharp geometry, a narrow positive T-land and a support shoulder.

They are suitable for milling, face milling, shallow slot milling and plunging in steel, stainless steel and cast iron.