Ringwood-based Horn Cutting Tools Ltd has extended its range of products to enable circular interpolation milling of holes down to 8mm in diameter. With its triple-edged 304 system, the company is offering a versatile, productive solution for internal groove, thread and profile milling, as well as finish boring and chamfering.

The insert has a diameter of 7.7mm. In conjunction with various vibration-damping carbide shanks, which feature an internal coolant supply, the tool is more economical and versatile than solid carbide milling cutters for machining smaller diameters.

They are available in widths of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mm. For milling circlip grooves, Horn offers the system with cutting widths of 0.8, 0.9, 1.1 and 1.3mm and in the case of the full radius versions, radii of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8mm are offered. To enable the milling of chamfers, angles of 45, 30 and 15deg are available. Regarding the substrates, Horn uses coated grade EG55 for general steel machining and IG35 for machining stainless steels and superalloys.

The Horn circular milling system offers users many advantages including a high level of reproducible quality — it is fast, reliable and achieves good surface finish. During processing, the tool plunges into the material either at an angle or horizontally and is interpolated either in a circle, or helically to produce a thread.