Hitachi's ball end mills for metal mold finishing

According to reports, Hitachi Tools has marketed a new ball-type end mill, AlphaBall Precision ABPF, for the precision machining of metal molds. The cutting speed of all models is 30 to 100% higher than that of the original product, that is, the maximum cutting speed can be increased to the original. Some times.

This spherical end mill includes re-grindable G-type and vertical wall W models, priced from 5895 yen to 11,130 yen.

Among them, the G-shape shortens the straight-line cutting edge of the outer peripheral portion, and in the chisel-edge portion, the "GF edge type" suitable for castings and raw materials and the "GH edge type" suitable for high hardness are used. On the special base metal, the layered wear layer based on PVD (Physical Evaporation Method), named “ACS” and “ATH”, is used to increase its adhesion strength, film hardness, and oxidation temperature.

The use of "ACS" and "ATH" coatings extends the blade's processing life in a smooth shape. The composition of the ACS coating starts from the side of the base metal and consists of a layer of Al high toughness bonding layer, a wear layer of AlCrSi and TiSi laminated, and a Cr lubricating film. The composition of the ATH coating starts from the side of the base metal and is as follows: a TiAl film, the same abrasion resistant layer as the ACS, and a TiSi heat resistant film.

In addition, the W-type uses an R-type cutting edge with no peripheral straight edge to slow down the high-frequency vibrations generated during vertical wall machining. The chisel edge part has the same GF/GH edge type as the G type, and the coating also uses the ACS/ATH coating.