New tool extends the company’s successful CoroMill® Plura range

Photo Caption: Sandvik Coromant introduces CoroMill Plura S215 for edge milling applications.

The new CoroMill® Plura compression end mill for composites from Sandvik Coromant is certain to be of great interest to any manufacturer machining carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). Unlike conventional end milling cutters, the innovative CoroMill Plura tool combines positive and negative helix design to ‘compress’ the top and bottom of the component edge. This minimizes any potential for splintering, a common defect when machining CFRP and several other types of engineering composites using higher helix cutters.

Edge milling

The new Plura end mill has been designed for edge milling applications on workpieces with a minimum thickness of 6 mm. It features optimized micro geometry that offers six effective cutting edges for achieving a surface finish (Ra) of well below 4 µm, in combination with high material removal rates. Users should keep the split-line in the middle of the material for best results. Also, remember that when the tool cuts across the fibers on the top or bottom surface there is more splintering than when the tool cuts along the fiber direction.

Conventional up-milling strategies are recommended as these typically deliver less vibration. Among the cutting data users can expect to see is cutting speeds of 200-400 m/min, and feed rates of 0.03-0.06 mm/tooth for roughing (0.02–0.04 mm/tooth finishing).

Cross-sector appeal

Aside from the aerospace industry, other sectors set to benefit from the new end mill include motorsport, marine, wind energy and leisure – essentially any company machining CFRP that is looking to enhance material removal rate and tool life while at the same time achieving minimal splintering.

The CoroMill® Plura compression end mill for composites makes use of GC1630 grade for extended life, and comes in diameters ranging from 6.0 to 16.0 mm, and lengths (total) from 76 to 100 mm.

About Sandvik Coromant

Sandvik Coromant is a global leading supplier of cutting tools, tooling solutions and know-how to the metalworking industry. With extensive investments in research and development we create unique innovations and set new productivity standards together with our customers. These include the world's major automotive, aerospace and energy industries. Sandvik Coromant has 8000 employees and is represented in 130 countries. We are part of the business area Sandvik Machining Solutions within the global industrial group Sandvik.

For more information visit the website at www.sandvik.coromant.com.

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