Published 10/12/2022

Walter Expands Line of Solid Carbide Milling Cutters, Drills

Walter’s MD173 and MD177 Supreme solid carbide milling cutters feature seven cutting edges. Additionally, the company introduces the DC165 Advance solid carbide drill for non-ferrous and cast iron applications.

Edited by: Chris Pasion

Managing Editor, Modern Machine Shop | Production Machining

Walter USA LLC introduces the MD173 Supreme and the MD177 Supreme, its first solid carbide milling cutters with seven cutting edges. Developed to meet demanding applications in the aerospace industry, these high-performance mills are said to excel in cutting not only titanium (ISO S), but also steels (ISO P) and stainless steels (ISO M). Walter says the cutters’ seven teeth achieve excellent productivity, and their variable pitch reduces vibration, ensuring smooth operation as well. The entire length of the cutting edge can be used, providing relatively uniform wear, which extends the tool life of these milling cutters.

The MD173 Supreme is a roughing cutter designed specifically for dynamic milling and for reducing machining time. Its cutting edges equipped with chip breakers reportedly enable excellent chip breaking, permitting superior process reliability with high metal removal rates, a plus for users with automated production processes. The MD177 Supreme is a finishing cutter that creates very smooth surfaces without “waterlines.” As a result of these characteristics, this milling cutter duo delivers both superior productivity and process reliability, with excellent surfaces. The MD177 Supreme is available in sizes 3/16"-1" and in metric from 6-25 mm, the MD173 Supreme in sizes 1/4"-1". Both versions are available with or without corner radii.

TC620 Supreme. Photo Credit: Walter USA LLC

Walter also launches its solid-carbide TC620 Supreme universal thread milling cutter, which features internal coolant and a multi-row design that is said to deliver greater productivity, permit less vibration, reduce cutting pressure and and provide excellent dimensional accuracy.

The TC620 Supreme thread milling cutters utilize patent-pending Walter DeVibe technology with an anti-vibration land to effectively suppress vibrations and enable higher cutting parameters, while contributing to other TC620 Supreme advantages like a high level of process reliability and easy handling due to extremely infrequent radius correction. A low cost per thread is another advantage due to fast machining time and longer tool life. DeVibe significantly improves the surface quality, especially with fine threads, regardless of clamping conditions, varying cutting values or the milling strategy.

The multi-row design thread mills are available in UNC, UNF, M and MF threadforms. Specifically: UNC8-UNC 7/8, UNF10-UNF ¾, M4-M20 and MF4-MF20 with DeVibe offerings starting at 5/16 and 8 mm in each group. These new solid carbide thread milling cutters employ high-performance WB10TJ grade with a specially blended AlTiN coating, enabling maximum performance in many different materials, even under unfavorable conditions, aided by internal coolant that provides reliable chip removal even at high feeds per tooth.

DC165 Advance. Photo Credit: Walter USA LLC

In addition to expanding its Supreme range of milling cutters, Walter also introduces the DC165 Advance, a family of straight flute solid carbide drills that are said to improve performance, process reliability, tool life and cutting data in non-ferrous (ISO N) and cast iron (ISO K) applications such as automotive engine blocks, cylinder heads, bed plates, camshafts, gearbox and clutch housings and chassis parts, as well as general metalworking.

The drills feature four polished margins that reportedly provide less friction and improve hole quality, surface finish, roundness and straightness. Their polished clearance angle, relief angle and flutes are said to yield better wear behavior and better chip evacuation. The new drills feature through-spindle coolant and straight flutes (G-drills), with emulsion or oil and coolant pressure of 145-580 PSI (10-40 bar). They are offered in cylindrical-shank configuration and have a 120° point angle with tolerance of m7. They are also offered in L/D ratio of 5 × DC as standard, with options for shorter and longer drills to be ordered and specials through Walter’s signature Xpress quotation program.

The Walter lineup of products consists of three categories of tools: “Supreme” indicates the highest level of technology and performance available, “Advance” indicates product efficiently balanced between price and performance and “Perform” provides an economical solution with focused importance on price.