Walter Button Inserts Streamline Turbine Blade Machining

Walter has developed its Tiger·tec Gold WMP45G button insert specifically for turbine blade machining, including the blade, blade root and blade head, for use with the F2334R copy milling cutter. Two insert sizes are available: the 10-mm ROMX10T3M0 and the 12-mm ROMX1204M0.

The WMP45G comes standard as a sintered insert. Each button insert also has four faceted locating faces for optimized pocket stability.

The F2334R milling cutter, in which the R stands for “reinforced,” features a stable pocket design and a radial positive geometry to provide a soft cutting action. The cutters are available in diameters ranging from 1¼" - 2½" and 25 - 80 mm. The usual depth of cut is 3 mm (with a 3.5-mm maximum for the 10-mm insert) and 4 mm (with a 4.5-mm maximum for the 12-mm insert).

Because turbine blades are exposed to extreme thermal and physical loads, only difficult-to-cut materials such as high-temperature super alloys can withstand such forces. The WMP45G with an optimized combination of toughness and high-temperature wear resistance, as well as less sensitivity to cracking, provides high process reliability and is the benchmark for blade machining.

Several insert geometries are available. The geometry F67 is for light cutting and exerts low cutting forces. The strong D67 is well suited for nickel-based super alloys due to its high cutting-edge stability. The universal D57 is designed for medium machining conditions and is suitable for applications other than blade machining.