With the WedgeFit,
Walter is expanding its range for radial grooving, parting-off, groove turning and copy turning to include a modular grooving system offering unrivalled stability. This is primarily due to the double dovetail guide, lateral fixation via two TorxPlus screws, and the new clamping mechanism for the cutting insert from above.
This combination ensures exceptional stability, low vibration and process reliability. Tightening the two side screws pulls the module into the toolholder’s positive-engagement seat with a defined preload, thereby achieving a level of stability previously reserved for monoblock solutions.
Clamping the cutting insert from above significantly increases clamping forces compared with lateral clamping – and thus the protection against the cutting insert ‘popping out’ of the insert seat, particularly with materials that tend to ‘shrink’, such as nickel-based alloys of the ISO-S group.
In addition to its enormous stability, the optional precision cooling on the rake and flank faces also helps to extend tool life. Particularly when combined with the double-tooth design of the Groov·tec cutting inserts, WedgeFit enables higher cutting parameters, increases tool life by around 50%, and delivers maximum cost-efficiency compared with systems using conventional clamping. This is because, for example, in the event of damage, the application simply needs to replace the affected module, and because changes and adjustments can be carried out more quickly and efficiently.
As a first step, Walter is launching WedgeFit with GD26 cutting inserts for cutting depths of up to 26mm and DX18 cutting inserts for cutting depths of up to 17mm. Walter Capto interfaces and square shanks are available. The range is to be gradually expanded to include further modules, cutting insert sizes and interfaces.