Guhring and Chiron have set a ground-breaking record: Machining 1 000 cubic cm of steel alloy (16MnCr5) in 60 seconds, which equates to a metal removal rate (MRR) of 8kg of steel per minute. The record was set on a Chiron FZ 16 5-axis machining center using a Guhring RF 100 Speed P tool – a roughing cutter specially adapted for machining steel, high-tensile steel and cast iron.

RF 100 Speed P has a 48° helix angle with unequal cutting-edge partitioning that is said to ensure a soft, quiet cut and smoothness in machining. This capability reduces the load on the machine and increases the MRR performance. In addition, the optimised chip gullet with a deep flute in the front cutting-edge area, brings about improved chip evacuation when ramping and helical plunging.

Under HPC (high-performance cutting) conditions, the entire length of the cutting edge was used with a small cutting width (5% to 15% radial depth of cut). Feed per tooth was 0.5mm during the record attempt. With four teeth, this meant 2mm feed per revolution.

This performance should be of interest to companies that have large quantities of steel to cut, including the tool and mould-making industry, where mainly high-tensile steels are found, but primarily aerospace, where lightweight components made of solid material with a material removal rate of up to 96% are produced. Of course, the special cutting-edge geometry can also be put to good use in the automotive industry.

Further cutting data from the successful record attempt, which deployed a 20mm diameter cutter (HSK 63) included: 450m/min cutting speed, 7 162rpm spindle speed, 1.2mm radial depth of cut (6%), 63mm axial depth of cut and 14 324 mm/min feed speed.

For further details contact Guuhring Cutting Tools South Africa on TEL: 087 015 0200 or 041 372 2047 or visit www.guhring.com