Kennametal Launches Beyond BLAST

      Kennametal is introducing Beyond BLAST at IMTS 2010. By channeling coolant through the insert, at the interface of the milling cutter and insert, Beyond BLAST is designed to deliver coolant directly where the tool cuts the material, ensuring efficient coolant delivery, heat transfer and lubricity, the company said.

      Optimizing high-speed milling applications equates to a decision to maximize a company's milling productivity and reduce manufacturing costs. Speeds (sfm/Vc) and feeds make a big difference, as does achieving maximum metal removal (MMR).

       Mechanical cutting generates frictional heat. And at high cutting speeds, the rate at which heat is absorbed by the tool increases with velocity. To optimize their performance, tools must be adequately cooled. Proper coolant flow means improved tool life and higher maximum effective cutting speeds. If not properly cooled, the insert will heat up rapidly. This can shorten tool life and affect surface finish, because of built-up edge (BUE), where workpiece material bonds to the cutting edge.

      "Traditional flood coolant jets are uncontrolled and wasteful, aimed at the cut often hit behind the cutting zone and custom high-pressure solutions (1,000 PSI or higher), can cost tens of thousands of dollars to install and maintain," the spokesperson said. "With Beyond BLAST, coolant is delivered through the insert, at the interface of the milling cutter and insert."

      "In tests involving titanium turning, Beyond BLAST inserts at 100 PSI were showing 75% improvement in tool life over the same inserts with flood coolant at 100 PSI," said Senior Product Manager Osny Fabricio. "In a different test to evaluate the influence of coolant pressure, tool life for Beyond BLAST at 100 PSI was nearly that of identical insert geometries at 1,000 PSI, higher cutting conditions or longer tool life at significantly lower cost."

      In milling tests involving titanium (TiAl6V4), results showed tool life increases of 250 to 300 percent depending on the insert geometry and cutting conditions, the company said.

      "With Beyond BLAST, the result gives Kennametal a new and improved turning and milling product portfolio and it's very easy for metalworking companies to upgrade their manufacturing processes," said Fabricio. "It's a plug and play solution."

                          For more information contact:

                          Kennametal Inc.

                          P.O. Box 231

                          1600 Technology Way

                          Latrobe, PA 15650

                          800-466-7738

                          www.kennametal.com

                          Booth #W-1522