The HFC 19 system is an indexable insert milling program that targets high chip volume applications that demand high process security. Milling cycle times can be reduced by as much as 57% thanks to the insert geometry, WNT Dragonskin coating and cutter body design with its nickel plated and finite element optimisation. The inserts have a patented rectangular cutting-edge geometry and a large corner radius that delivers a combination of high rigidity and soft cutting action, reducing stress on the machine spindle. A further benefit being that cutting forces are in the axial direction, making the cutting action extremely quiet.
The insert and cutter body design also lend themselves to increased cutting data, with excellent swarf evacuation and coolant delivery allowing greater depths of cut (up to 3.3mm) and feed per tooth to be achieved, with significant impact on cycle time, while at the same time enhancing tool life. An example of this is the machining of Titanium Alloy (Ti6Al4V) components, where a 63mm diameter WNT HFC 19 cutter was run at 0.71mm feed/tooth, compared to 0.25mm for the competitor cutter, achieving a cycle time of 52 minutes compared to 120 minutes or a saving of 57%. Tool life was also increased by 200% with one set of cutting edges machining three components compared to one component from the competitor cutter.
In addition to improved productivity the HFC 19 cutters are also highly versatile with users able to plunge mill, face mill, circular/freeform mill, linear plunge and take on intermittent cutting situations, all with the same cutter and inserts. Customers do have a choice of insert geometry, dependent upon application with the -F40 positive geometry being suitable for finish and rough machining of heat-resistant materials, such as titanium and super alloys. The -M50 geometry is WNT’s universal geometry suitable for light to medium rough machining of steel components.
