ACT Introduces World First's at MACH 2012
5 March 2012
Since the launch of the Nine9 Series of interchangeable indexable insert tools at MACH 2010, Advanced Carbide Tooling (ACT) has extended the range considerably to introduce a number of new concepts at the 2012 event. At MACH 2012 on Stand 5029 ACT will be re-iterating the exceptional flexibility of its Nine9 Series of cutting tools with the new Chamfer Mill, the i-Center and the 100 degree toolholder that all offer interchange-ability to deliver a complete tooling solution.
The new indexable chamfer mill addition to the Nine9 range is a 45 degree cutter that incorporates a patented dual relief ground insert that uses ACT's optimised coating technology to deliver improved feed rates and cutting speeds when conducting chamfering processes. With an optimal design the provides four cutting edges per insert, customers can reduce tooling costs whilst a finely lapped cutting edge improves chip breaking to promote extended tool life.
Available with a number of AlTiN and TiN coated grades, the new 45 degree inserts can machine carbon and alloy steels, hardened and stainless steels, cast iron and non-ferrous materials. The new chamfer mill is available with two or four indexable inserts with a diameter from 12 to 33mm. As the leading solution for chamfering and countersinking, the new addition features the smallest inserts in the world for chamfer milling with the ability to machine down to 7mm diameters. Completely diverse, like all cutters in the Nine9 range the chamfer tools are ideal for countersinking, circular chamfering, contour chamfering and face milling. Another new addition to the exciting chamfer mill is a single edged cutter that is capable of machining small holes and bores.
With the UK aerospace industry witnessing relentless growth levels, the chamfer mill series has been further extended to incorporate a 100 degree spotting and chamfering tool. This new concept is the result of ACT's research and development work with the UK's aerospace sector to meet the industry's demands for tool that delivers a 100 degree cutter suitable for screw heads and rivets in the sector. As 100 degrees is the aerospace standard, ACT has now launched the industry's first tailored solution for efficiently machining countersinks and chamfers. Not only capable of increasing speeds and feeds, the 100 degree series also improves accuracy and surface finishes that are a critical element in the industry.
Complementing the chamfer tools at MACH will be the new i-Center indexable centre drill series. Setting the standard with yet another world first, ACT's i-Center is the world's first indexable centre drill. Eliminating the need for re-setting and re-sharpening, the i-Center is a highly efficient system that can drastically improve tool life and process performance for the end user. The new i-Center is available in widths of 12, 16, 20 and 25mm with respective cutter body diameters of 16, 20 and 25mm. Operating at identical speeds and feeds as solid carbide centre drills, the i-Center improves tool life by over 50% whilst reducing set-ups and changeovers and the costs involved with using solid carbide centre drills. With inserts available in ANSI and DIN metric and imperial dimensions with a wide selection of grades and coatings plus the option of bespoke forms for special applications, the i-Center undoubtedly marks the end of the standard centre drill.
Maintaining the Nine9 philosophy of inter-changeability, all inserts in the Nine9 range can be introduced to the complete range of Nine9 toolholders to ensure the customer can maximise their capabilities whilst reducing their costs and inventory. This is optimised by the ACT corner rounding cutter that can accept the 60 and 90 degree spot drilling inserts as well as the corner rounding inserts with a radius from 1 to 3mm in 0.5mm increments. This diverse cutting tool with a vast selection on inserts enables the end user to conduct engraving, chamfering, spotting, corner rounding and face milling with just one cutter body.
