WNT (
www.wnt.com) has combined its WTX-Feed and WTX-Change drills into a single system. The new WTX-Change Feed is a three-flute drilling system with interchangeable carbide drill heads that is said to deliver feed rates between 50 and 100% higher than conventional drilling.
Improved process security is also achievable, thanks to the combination of geometry design, drill body material and Ti 750 tool coating.
The Sheffield-based company says it believes the WTX-Change Feed is the world’s first three-edged exchangeable-head drilling system.
The drill is available in diameters between 14 and 32mm, in 0.1mm increments. Two standard flute lengths are offered — 3xD and 5xD, both with through-tool coolant.
The carbide grade is suitable for universal applications in steel and cast iron. In terms of geometry, point thinning and a self-centring chisel edge are designed to ensure accurate positioning, even on angled surfaces up to 6deg and in intermittent-cutting applications.
To give an idea of the performance gains available, WNT offers the example of drilling 18mm-diameter x 90mm-deep holes in 42CrMo4 steel.
Here, the WTX-Change Feed was able to operate at a cutting speed of 90m/min and a feed rate of 0.55mm/rev; a competitor drill with two flutes and running at a higher surface speed, was only capable of 0.34mm/rev.
As a result, the 400 holes required were machined in 41min using the WTX-Change Feed, compared with 55min
for its nearest competitor.
WNT says the benefits are similar with regard to tool life, with the WTX-Change Feed achieving 145min of drilling time compared with 89min for the competitor drill.