Sandvik Coromant's M5Q90 Milling Cutter Speeds "Cubing" of Cast Parts

Sandvik Coromant has engineered its M5Q90 tangential milling cutter for faster first-stage roughing operations on newly cast aluminum parts for the automotive industry. Designed to complete “cubing” (first machining of faces after casting) in a single operation without creating burrs, the tool is fitted with tangential inserts that provide smooth and stable cutting action. This concept is said to provide reliable performance, improved tool life, good surface finish, high metal removal rates and an increased number of parts per insert.

“To enhance efficiency, our new M5Q90 tangential milling cutter features fully engineered cutter bodies matched with dedicated PCD insert geometries that feature a positive cutting angle to reduce cutting force and load on the machined component,” says Emmanuel David, global automotive product manager.

Although the cutter bodies are custom-designed to meet customers’ productivity requirements )including conditions in excess of 20,000 rpm), all share the same tip seat, coolant channel, lead angle and rake angle. Cutter body service life can be extended with a design that protects the PCD inserts with rows of carbide inserts, a configuration that also serves to increase the depth-of-cut capability. While the basic tool with PCD inserts offers a depth of cut measuring 2 to 4 mm (0.079" to 0.157") in full engagement, the secondary configuration extends this to 4 mm (0.157"). Coolant channels provide the option for either emulsion or minimum-quantity lubrication (MQL).