Round Milling Inserts for Machining Dies and Molds

Tungaloy has introduced its enhanced FixRMill round insert “button cutter” line that is said to provide tool reliability in copy milling of curved surfaces of stainless steel and difficult materials in five-axis machining.

FixRMill uses round inserts for machining dies and molds, especially complex male-female main parts such as cavities and projections. The round inserts feature anti-rotation notches on the insert clearance side and matching locations on the pocket seats. These notches reportedly prevent the insert from rotating under heavy load, as well as help the operator to get a true, distinct index every time they go for a new edge, enabling all of the insert to be utilized.

The round inserts are available in size 12 in two geometries. RQMT1204ENC8-MM enables up to eight indexes for 1.4 mm (.055″) or smaller depth of cut (DOC) and up to four indexes when used at 6.0 mm (.236″) DOC, boasting excellent per index cost. Additionally, the RQMT1204ENC6-MM can provide up to six indexes for 2.6 millimeter (.102″) or smaller DOC. The two inserts are interchangeable for the same FixRMill cutter body.

The MM-style chipbreaker is said to provide demonstrate exceptional reliability in varying cutting forces typically generated during copy-milling operations. Two insert grades are available: AH3135 grade provides excellent cutting performance over a range of material groups and AH8015 showcases superior performance in difficult materials, according to Tungaloy. The line includes four inserts and eight cutter bodies.