Ceratizit Releases WTX, World's First Four-Fluted Drill

CERATIZIT USA Inc. has released the WTX High-Feed Drill, which the company says is the first four-fluted drill on the market. CERATIZIT also says the drill’s four effective cutting edges increase precision, productivity and service life.

The pyramid geometry of the WTX encourages aggressive and precise drilling performance, with the company reporting the drill achieves positioning accuracy of 0.03 mm and excellent centering properties. CERATIZIT also says high levels of drilling quality, hole tolerance, surface finish and positioning accuracy increase component quality, to the extent that there is no need for potential reworking. Additionally, low burr formation when entering and exiting the hole reduces the need for time-consuming subsequent deburring.

The four-flute design of the WTX enables high feeds in steel processing, as well as secure and quick chip removal. The distribution of cutting force to four cutting edges should result in longer service life, while the four continuous spiral-through coolant holes provide enhanced cooling of each cutting edge to also prolong tool life and reduce costs.

CERATIZIT says its Dragonskin DPX14S coating on the WTX protects the drill and further increases tool life, cutting speeds and process reliability. Dragonskin utilizes TiAIN nanolayer coating with a .35 coefficient of friction and allows for maximum application temperatures of 1832ºF.