Tooling manufacturer Dormer Pramet launched its new range of tangential face milling cutters and inserts in April.

For use on Pramet’s S60LN15C cutter, with a 60° approach angle, the LNEX tangential inserts are suitable for the face milling of cast iron and steel in heavy machining conditions.

“Sales figures have constantly increased since the launch of this product range. We have seen positive results in many countries, especially Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and France,” says Dormer Pramet international application engineer Tomasz Cymorek.

The tangential mounting of the new robust double-sided inserts, which ensures rigid clamping, is an important addition to the Pramet brand’s wide assortment of milling products for heavy machining, resulting in good impact strength and cost-efficient machining owing to their high feed and cutting depth capabilities.

Cymorek says: “Our new range of inserts will be suitable for large workpieces on big castings and forgings for, in particular, the power and marine industries.”

The construction of the tangential milling cutter ensures the stable clamping of the inserts, while its mounting means the cutting force is along each insert’s thickest, strongest axis. This helps to withstand greater forces and provides at least 30% higher tool life in heavy conditions, compared with the radial option.

“We have concentrated our research and development activities on the development of a new geometry of inserts to combine lower cutting forces with high tool life, and good machined surface quality with wear resistance, to meet and exceed customer expectations,” he notes.

Tangential cutters increase machining efficiency and tool life in heavy cutting conditions, compared with a radial solution. Tangentially mounted inserts are not unique in themselves, but, compared with their competitors, the Pramet cutters have internal cooling and shims below the inserts for better protection of the cutter body.

Further, to support the new range of cutters, Pramet has developed the M and KR chipbreakers. The M chipbreaker has a positive geometry for standard workpieces and promotes low cutting forces. These are recommended for standard workpieces of cast iron and steel.

Meanwhile, the KR chipbreaker has a more negative geometry for hard workpieces with inclusions or hard encrustation. These are a good choice for cast iron and steel with heavy cutting conditions, the company states.

The inserts have been produced using the new grades M5326, M8326 and M8346, which were developed to target increased operational reliability, cutting performance and durability in heavy milling applications. Pramet launched the grades in November 2014.

The M5326 grade is for heavy milling of cast iron and features a unique moderate temperature chemical vapour deposition coating which provides high stability for the cutting edge.

The M8326 is aimed at heavy milling applications in steels and combines wear resistance and toughness with high durability and reliability, while the M8346 is suitable for heavy milling of steels and stainless steels. The M8346 is Pramet’s toughest grade available and offers high operational reliability in the least favourable and most unstable machining conditions.

Pramet works closely with customers to ensure they get the support they need. This is done with the help of a constantly evolving range of support services, including tool selector software, technical handbooks and information wall charts, online product search and ordering functionality, product literature, a range of digital apps and on-site or in-house training to suit customer requirements.

Dormer Pramet will be launching a wide range of products later in the year – these include cutters and inserts for face milling, shoulder milling and copy milling, with a focus on stainless steel applications.