Tools for hardened steels

The right tool for every application

In tool and die production in particular, hard machining is playing an increasingly important role by replacing time-consuming processes such as grinding and eroding. But in other industries too, components still need to be machined after hardening, which presents enormous challenges for drilling and milling tools. We have identified the needs of our customers and have created a highly specialized range of tools for all conceivable applications. These tools are the ideal solution for steel machining in the maximum hardness range and guarantee maximum time savings with their strong performance characteristics.

1. CircularLine – CCR – H

The first choice tool for trochoidal rough machining in hardened material applications

2. MonsterMill – HCR

The first choice in finish machining

3. WTX – H

  • Problem solver for up to 58 HRC with through coolant
  • The hard drilling specialist for up 70 HRC

4. BGF – TYPE H

The multitool for drilling, countersinking and threading

CircularLine – now also for hardened materials up to 70 HRC

The first choice tool for trochoidal rough machining in hardened material applications

The CircularLine – CCR – H is the latest development of our tried-and-tested trochoidal milling cutter from the CircularLine series and is the ideal tool for machining hardened materials. The ultra-fine grain substrate tailored specifically to hard machining, the latest Dragonskin coating technology, the optimized cutting edge geometry and a new chip breaker make the CircularLine – CCR – H the ultimate tool for hard milling operations up to 70 HRC.

New chip breaker

Special geometry for machining hardened steels to minimize wear on the chip breaker.

Advantages
  • Optimum chip removal
    due to chip breaker 0.9 x d1
  • Extremely quiet running and high material removal rate
    due to six-edged tool with cutting length 3 x d1
  • Long tool life
    thanks to new Dragonskin coating and low-wear chip breaker geometry
  • Extremely process-secure
    due to HB shank for prevention of tool pullout

Coating

The latest Dragonskin coating technology, DPX62S, features high-hot hardness and oxidation resistance of up to 800 °C. The titanium aluminum nitride-based broadband coating has been specially developed for the machining of hardened steels and offers an optimized coating and surface structure.

  • Multilayer, HV0.05 = 3800
  • Coefficient of friction (against steel) = 0.4
  • Max. application temperature: 800 °C

MonsterMill – HCR

The first choice in finish machining

For many tool and die production companies, time-consuming eroding has been the only option for achieving high-quality surfaces on workpieces with a hardness exceeding 55 HRC. The perfect alternative is the MonsterMill – HCR. The MonsterMill – HCR is ideal for finish machining and is the optimal tool for hardness up to 70 HRC. Its stable cutting-edge geometry in combination with the polished cutting-edge section ensure flawless component surfaces and optimum contour accuracy with long tool life.

HCR end mill

  • Diameter: 0.2 mm – 12 mm
  • No. of cutting edges: 2 and 4
  • With corner radius

HCR ball-nosed end mill

  • Diameter: 0.2 mm – 12 mm
  • No. of cutting edges: 2 and 4
  • Radius accuracy: ± 0.01 mm
Advantages
  • Ideal runout and high balance quality 
    due to HA shank with h5 tolerance
  • Optimal chip clearance and long tool life 
    due to stable cutting edge geometry 
  • Outstanding surface quality 
    thanks to polished cutting edge section 
  • Optimum cutting behaviour
    thanks to cutting edge geometry supported by the special edge preparation
  • High-precision tools with tight tolerances
    up to Ø 6 mm – 0/-0.01 mm
    from Ø 6 mm – 0/-0.02 mm

Coating

The latest Dragonskin coating technology DPX62U features high hot hardness and oxidation resistance of up to 1150°C. The titanium aluminum nitride-based broadband coating has been specially developed for the machining of hardened steels and offers an optimized coating and surface structure. The ultra-fine grain substrate combined with the coating enables economical hard machining up to 70 HRC.

  • Multilayer, HV0.05 = 4000
  • Coefficient of friction (against steel) = 0.5
  • Max. application temperature: 1150°C

WTX H - High performance drill

The problem solver for up to 58 HRC with through coolant

The perfect combination of cutting edge geometry, Dragonskin coating and substrate make the WTX – H the ideal solution for difficult-to-machine materials. It can also be used for the machining of steels and cast iron. The extremely stable drilling tool with through coolant is suitable for hardened materials up to 58 HRC and, with the new titanium aluminum nitride-based monolayer coating, guarantees long tool lives and maximum process security.

Advantages
  • Extreme process security in applications up to 58 HRC
    thanks to the perfect combination of cutting edge geometry and coating 
  • Universal application 
    also suitable for steel and cast iron 
  • Longest tool life compared to competitor products 
    due to thro' coolant, Dragonskin coating and the use of a tough carbide substrate

Coating

  • Monolayer perfected for hardened materials
  • Based on titanium aluminum nitride
  • Optimized coating and surface structure
  • Oxidation-resistant up to 800°C

The hard drilling specialist for up 70 HRC

With an extremely stable, convex cutting edge and ultra-fine grain substrate specifically tailored to hard machining in combination with the latest Dragonskin coating technology, the WTX – H is the specialist for hard drilling operations. The extremely stable and wear-resistant drilling tool enables the machining of hardened steels up to 70 HRC. The new titanium aluminum nitride-based monolayer coating makes the WTX – H particularly heat-resistant and guarantees long tool life and maximum process security.

Advantages
  • Specialist for hardened materials > 58 HRC 
    Perfect combination of coating, carbide and cutting edge geometry 
  • Extremely long tool life achievable 
    Dragonskin DPX64U, ultra-fine grain carbide 
  • Extreme process security and wear-resistance 
    due to the extremely stable and convex cutting edge

Coating

  • Monolayer perfected for hardened materials
  • Based on titanium aluminum nitride
  • Optimized coating and surface structure
  • Oxidation-resistant up to 800°C
  • Use of a special substrate

Ideal for thread production in hardened and difficult-to-machine materials

The multitool for drilling, countersinking and threading

Eliminate the need for time-consuming erosion operations when producing a thread in a hardened component with the BGF – Type H circular thread milling cutter. Threads with a depth of up to 2xD can be produced using the through and blind hole thread multitool – and with maximum process security. The left-hand cutting tool not only saves considerable time that would be required for eroding, but also avoids additional costs. The BGF – Type H is therefore the economical, productive solution for thread production in hardened and difficult-to-machine materials.

Coating

  • Specially designed for use in hardened materials
  • Titanium carbon nitride-based PVD coating
  • Coating thickness 3 – 4 µm
  • Hardness: 3000 HV
Note: left-hand cutting (M04)
Advantages
  • Time savings 
    Drilling, countersinking and thread milling with a single tool and high cutting speeds 
  • Wide range of applications 
    Produces right- and left-hand threads, suitable for through hole and blind hole threads, different thread types possible (M, UNC, UNF) 
  • High thread quality 
    High surface quality, burr-free thread

Tips for the user

In thread milling, there are two different ways to program the feed of the tool:

on the one hand you have the periphery feed and on the other the tool center feed. To ascertain which programmable feed the machine requires, you have the following options:

  • Enter the complete thread milling routine in the machine control system
  • Program a safety margin so that the thread program runs without contacting the workpiece
  • Run the program and measure the machining time taken
  • Compare this time with the calculated theoretical value

If the time required is longer than the calculated time, the machine requires the tool center feed. 
If the time required is shorter than the calculated time, the machine requires the periphery feed.