CoroMill 172 is a new indexable-insert disc cutter from Sandvik Coromant
(www.sandvik.coromant.com) that offers a versatile — and time- saving — solution for milling high-quality gear profiles. Moreover, the combination of new indexable-insert (carbide) technology and the secure iLock interface means that gears and splines can be machined on regular CNC machines, as well as on hobbing machines and rack mills.
Because it can run at far higher speeds and feeds than comparable HSS cutters — and achieve greater and tool life — CoroMill 172 is particularly cost-effective for small to medium-size batches of internal and external gears and splines, as well as racks and pinions.
Moreover by offering a ‘full-effective’ configuration compared to disc cutters with tangentially mounted inserts, it can be used to generate straight-flank or involute profiles. Typical cutting data are 140-200m/min cutting speed and 0.12-0.20mm feed. Available in diameters from 63 to 254mm, CoroMill 172 is suitable for gear modules 4-8, and modules 4-9 when producing splines. The main benefit of the cutter is single-set-up machining: one machine for many operations, and one cutter body for different insert types. In addition, machining with ground carbide inserts can be undertaken dry, reducing costs even further.
The GC1030-grade inserts are custom-made according to the gear profile specified by the customer; they can have protuberance, tip chamfer, tip relief and addendum modification as required.
The cutter bodies are also custom-made, as the design will depend on the shape of insert. Both right-hand and left-hand tools can be ordered; the cutter bodies can even be designed to hold a range of inserts with different profiles for mixed production of geared components. CoroMill 172 is ideal for use on ISO P (steel) classification materials, which are found in all industry sectors.