Questions with Bryan Stusak

Variable face profile milling cutters designed specifically for milling titanium and ISO-M materials (e.g., wave cut, crest cut) have been around for many years and are commonly used for aerospace industry applications. Although these indexable technologies have been a great benefit – drastically enhancing metal removal rates and reducing cycle times – there’s still more room to improve these types of cutting tool technologies and drive productivity to higher levels.

1 What are some design characteristics being applied to extended flute cutting tools?

2 What other characteristics can be beneficial for indexable extended flute cutting tools?

3 What other technologies are there for extended flute milling applications?

The reduction of power is typically around 35% less than traditional cutters. Iscar offers the unique FW geometry for rough milling in unstable conditions (high overhang, poor workholding, etc.) in both its MILLSHRED P290 and HELITANG T490-13 inserts. In many such cases, CS cutters demonstrate improved dynamic behavior (i.e., less vibration) that results in better performance. These lines are excellent problem solvers, especially when machining deep cavities and pockets where chip evacuation can be an issue.

Iscar’s family of HELITANG T490 extended flute cutters, primarily tools with size 13mm inserts, is an exception to this general rule. The principle of tangential clamping contributes to improving the cutter rigidity and optimal loading of the screw to secure the inserts while usually ensuring a higher insert density that results in increased feed rates. HELITANG T490 extended flute cutters show their worth in edging – rough milling edges on titanium workpieces, where the depth of cut is considerable, but the width of cut is not too large (35% max Ae with chip splitter insert). Under these conditions, there’s no problem with chip evacuation, and the extended flute cutter carrying tangential clamped inserts wholly meets the requirements of high-efficiency roughing.

Iscar’s CS geometry (serrated) for rough milling in unstable conditions (high overhang, poor workholding, etc.) is available in both MILLSHRED P290 and HELITANG T490-13 inserts. In many such cases, CS cutters demonstrate improved dynamic behavior (i.e., less vibration) that results in better performance. With advancements in carbide substrates and coatings, these tools far exceed HSSCo and powder metals with better tool life and increased speeds for increased production in today’s competitive landscape.

4 What tool offerings does Iscar promote for various applications?

Shouldering applications:

MILLSHRED P290 Line: 0.750" to 4.000" diameters; End mill, extended flute shell mill, and face mills designs; 12mm and 18mm insert sizes; 2 types of insert offerings: FW serrated and straight edge

HELITANG T490-13: 1.0" to 8.0" diameters; End mill, extended flute shell mill, and face mills designs; 13mm insert size; FW serrated and CS offerings.

For more information: ISCAR USA