Word from cutting tool company Sandvik Coromant (sandvik.coromant.com/en-us/industrysolutions/automotive) is that it has developed a new indexable CBN insert tool that lends itself to the production of transmission components.
The company’s CB7015 grade is particularly good for hard turning case-hardened steels (those 58-65 HRc).
The tool uses what’s called the “Safe-Lock†clamping system. Combined with the wear-resistant ceramic binder, this means that the insert can also be used for dry machining operations.
The CBN tool is available with standard corner radii and wiper inserts. Sandvik also offers its “Xcel†version geometry that provides higher finish quality with increased speeds: roughness grades far below 3.2 µm can consistently be achieved. With Xcel geometries and feeds of 0.011 in., even roughness grades of 1 µm are possible. In addition, the Xcel insert, with up to 8 cutting edges, enables shorter production times and reduced tool costs per component.
