Seco recently added new offerings to its Minimaster Plus replaceable cutting tool system, Combimaster milling cutter system and Round 12 button insert line to further extend the capabilities of these copy milling products.

The company has optimised the cutting parameters of its popular Minimaster Plus system via a new four-flute head for larger helix angles. The head joins the system’s existing three-flute design. Both cutting heads provide high metal removal rates in roughing and semi-finishing operations. The four-flute head, however, features shorter 0.7xD flute lengths for increased stability in aggressive metal removal applications and 5-axis machining where cutter ends are used more frequently than entire flute lengths.

The industry-leading Combimaster milling cutter system encompasses an array of shank types, lengths and interchangeable cutter heads that offers maximum flexibility over a wide range of applications. Seco takes the versatility and stability of this system into the 40/42-mm diameter (50-mm diameter in ballnose) cutter arena with the new M20 connection. The M20 thread ensures the strongest connection possible between the shank and the cutter body. In most instances, the Combimaster M20 allows users to increase both metal removal rates and depths of cut by as much as 15 percent to improve overall machining performance. Seco has adapted the M20 connection to more than 30 new holder styles and over 50 types of milling cutters.

Seco has advanced its range of Round 12 button inserts with the addition of indexing capabilities that provide fast, precise insert positioning. The anti-rotation indexing system provides absolute insert security, especially during demanding material removal applications. Round 12 inserts have indexing notches that correspond with cutter body alignment marks, both of which ensure perfect insert positioning into the cutter body pocket seats and make the system extremely easy to use. For the new system, Seco incorporated advanced geometries with the Round 12 inserts and designed all the diameters of the cutting bodies with new differential pitches to reduce vibration and chatter.

Seco is continuously expanding upon its popular Minimaster Plus replaceable tip milling system. The latest development involves cutting heads with shorter flute lengths for handling higher cutting forces and increasing metal removal rates in roughing and semi-finishing operations.

The new cutters incorporate all of the same design features and benefits of system’s existing cutting heads, only in shorter flute lengths of 0.7 x D to boost stability. Existing flute lengths are 1.2 x D. This increase in stability makes these latest cutters well suited for demanding applications and 5-axis machining. Ideal machining conditions for these cutters are those where radial engagement is much greater than axial engagement, which is opposite for longer flute cutters.

Same as the existing cutting heads, the shorter flute versions have inserts available in two grades for machining all types of materials and E- and M-geometries for a smooth cutting design. Insert diameter options are 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm, and corner radii are available from 0.4 mm to 3.1 mm to match a variety of design requirements. Also available are square shoulder and ballnose inserts with internal coolant channels.

Overall, the Minimaster Plus system is intended for general machining in the aerospace, power generation, mould & die, automotive and medical industries. It easily cuts steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium and other difficult-to-machine materials, while making tool-length remeasurement obsolete.

One of the system’s most notable features is its high-precision interface between the replaceable carbide insert and the steel shank. The insert has an internal thread and external taper, while the shank has an internal taper with a threaded center pin for added reliability and stability as well as a run-out of approximately 10 microns.

Additionally, an axial stop on the shank increases repeatability and productivity by allowing end users to replace an insert without having to remove the tool from machine spindles. The new insert then repositions axially within 25 microns.

Seco recently added new through-tool coolant high-feed heads to its Minimaster Plus replaceable tip milling system. The expansion further increases the versatility of this cost-effective system that already features a large selection of inserts and shanks for tackling a broad range of applications.

Intended for general machining in the aerospace, power generation, mould, automotive and medical industries, the Minimaster Plus easily cuts steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium and other difficult-to-machine materials. It also makes tool-length remeasurement obsolete.

One of the system’s most notable features is its high-precision interface between the replaceable carbide insert and the steel shank. The insert has an internal thread and external taper, while the shank has an internal taper with a threaded center pin for added reliability and stability as well as a run-out of approximately 10 microns.

Additionally, an axial stop on the shank increases repeatability and productivity by allowing end users to replace an insert without having to remove the tool from machine spindles. The new insert then repositions axially within 25 microns. Plus, through these exchangeable inserts, users can reduce costs by eliminating regrinding operations.

The system’s shank comes in 24 versions with lengths that range from 55 mm to 249 mm. Inserts are available in two grades for machining all types of materials and E- and M-geometries for a smooth cutting design. Insert diameter options are 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm, and corner radii are available from 0.4 mm to 3.1 mm to match a variety of design requirements. Furthermore, the system’s square shoulder and ballnose inserts have through-tool coolant on all three-flute designs.