ITC Keeps On The Ball With Innovative New Cutters

4 September 2013

For the machining of hard materials, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has now launched its new ball nosed 47N0 VariMill Series of high performance solid carbide end mills for slotting and side milling operations.

The new TiAlN coated 47N0 VariMill is manufactured from an extremely tough micro grain solid carbide substrate that guarantees remarkable tool life and performance when milling materials such as steel, stainless steel, cast iron, non-ferrous materials, high temperature alloys and hard materials. Effectively working with such a wide range of materials, the new VariMill can reduce tooling inventory for the end user with its ability to perform on most material types.

The VariMill is a ball nosed cutter available with an innovative geometry and diameters that include 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20mm with a respective length of cut of 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22 and 26mm. With an overall length ranging from 57 to 104mm, the VariMill is optimally designed to minimise vibration and maintain rigidity when conducting high feed machining. This robust design is further enhanced by a shank diameter that is identical to the cutting diameter with a recess length to extend the reach of the series when machining cavities and slots. The cutting length to overall length ratio allows the VariMill 47N0 to provide exceptional metal removal rates with its rigidity that ensures stress on the machine tool spindle is minimised.

With an innovative design that incorporates an unequal flute spacing and a centre cutting geometry, the 47N0 VariMill rapidly removes swarf whilst preventing the harmonic effect that is created from machining at high speeds and feeds. To further improve the swarf removal rates, the 47N0 VariMill Series has polished flutes that are designed at a 38degree angle to enhance swarf removal from the cutting edge.

The geometry of the four flute 47N0 VariMill has been created to give maximum tool life whilst the TiAlN coating provides a tough edge that is highly resistant to edge chipping and burn out, which is an issue that is commonplace when cutting hard materials at high speeds and feeds. The 47N0 VariMill has already proven its credentials in the aerospace and motorsport industries where it has been extensively used on difficult to machine materials.