Walter USA LLC introduced two new Walter Valenite ISO indexable inserts developed for machining nickel, cobalt, and iron-based high-temperature alloys such as Inconel® 718 and Waspaloy®, commonly used in the aerospace, power generation and chemical industries. The inserts’ novel geometries were designed for turning operations and feature a new cutting edge that minimizes the effect of the typical wear mechanisms seen in machining high temperature alloys. The new geometries are combined with a PVD-aluminum oxide coating (grades WSM10 and WSM20) that provides greater heat resistance and supports faster cutting speeds when machining high-temperature alloys.
Walter USA LLC offers cutting tools for milling, drilling, turning, boring and specialized tooling for through its Walter Valenite, Walter Titex and Walter Prototyp brands, and multi-level service programs through its Walter Multiply brand.
The new NRS geometry is designed for roughing operations while the NMS geometry is targeted at medium machining and semi-finishing. Both designs feature a sharp cutting edge that reduces edge build-up and minimizes cutting pressures, along with edge strength and toughness to deter notch formation and chipping. Their geometries promote good chip evacuation, avoiding the destructive impact of chips in high-temperature alloy machining.
This superior chip flow, and the low cutting pressures that result, are particularly important in aerospace machining because the workpieces are often thin-walled and relatively unstable. Thus, too much pressure on the cutting edge can cause these thin walls to deform.
Other typical applications for the NRS/NMS inserts are machining measuring instruments for oil and gas applications; and machining austenitic stainless steels frequently found in food processing applications. The roughing and medium machining inserts are available in a variety of shapes appropriate for these operations.
