For its patented M409 tangential milling system, tooling manufacturer Ringwood-based Horn Cutting Tools has introduced new rhombic indexable inserts with polished rake faces to enable efficient machining of non-ferrous metals in the ISO N material group, principally aluminium alloys. High quality is achieved on the surface of machined components, despite the ductility and adhesive nature of the workpiece material, which tends to cause built-up edges as well as cracking and wear of the cutting edge.

Positive radial and axial rake angles as well as a flank chamfer ensure a stable wedge angle for particularly smooth milling. The system delivers high metal removal rates, even when using less powerful machining centres or when the tool is deployed in a live turret in a lathe. The insert’s extreme sharpness also lends itself to the machining of plastics.

The tangential milling range covers a wide variety of applications, delivering notable increases in performance and flexibility, especially with an internal coolant supply. Horn offers from stock the indexable inserts with polished rake faces on all four edges. In conjunction with positive chip breaker geometry, the sharp ground cutting edge produces a soft cut. The inserts can be used in all cutter body variants.