Aluminium workpieces set to benefit from new PCD milling cutters from Horn

Horn has expanded its DM range of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting tools by adding a range of mills aimed specifically at manufacturers looking to machine aluminium more efficiently. The company says it has optimised the cutting geometries of various tools, from simple end mills to modular combination tools, to meet the challenges of machining aluminium, taking into account factors like chip formation, cutting forces and surface finish.

The tensile strength, elongation, hardness and yield strength of aluminium can be influenced by alloying elements such as silicon, magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese. The material can become soft during machining due to the generation of heat, causing it to adhere to and even destroy the tool. It is therefore important that the cutting feed rate and spindle speed, as well as the type and quantity of coolant, are properly matched to the material. Horn’s engineers can provide advice on selecting the correct machining parameters for specific aluminium alloys.

The DM range from Horn is also suitable for processing other non-ferrous metals and technical plastics. The PCD grade consists of a special recipe of diamond grains of different sizes. As the volume percentage of diamond increases, so does hardness, toughness and edge quality. Strict quality standards are in place in Horn’s Tübingen factory in Germany to ensure that the tools, with their precision-lasered cutting edges, deliver a high level of performance and long service life.