WNT's range of HPC, solid carbide, end mills are proving to be a success following their introduction earlier in 2006. Designed to benefit end-users with increased metal removal rates and, therefore, enhanced productivity, the HPC range is delivering major improvements in cycle times and tool-life thanks to its variable pitch geometry, that reduces natural harmonics; the use of extremely tough sub-micron grain carbide; and the development by WNT of its chromium-based Ti 1010 coating with an HV hardness of 3600. The results are cutting speeds up to 250m/min and feedrates up to 0.55mm/tooth when cutting steel.

In addition, the use of HPC cutters also leads to extended tool-life thanks, in part, to the reduced harmonics generated by the variable pitch geometry and innovative flute design that allows high swarf removal rates even at large depths of cut and elevated spindle speeds.

These features also help to reduce the noise generated under the harshest of machining conditions.

In one particular example a customer machining inconel 625 saw a reduction in cycle time equivalent to 62%, generating an annual time saving valued at GBP6500.00.

The increase in tool-life saw the number of components per cutter increase by an amazing 142%, generating a further annual saving of GBP1334.62.

These figures are proving to be fairly common across the user-base of HPC cutters.

The HPC range has cutters suitable for rough and finish machining the following features: grooves from solid material, peripheral milling, pocketing, ramping and helical milling in steels and cast irons; 'HPC has been a real success story for WNT this year.