Machining the wing rib

Drilling, finishing and roughing aluminum alloys with a high chip removal rate and a long tool life

Together with the stringers, the wing ribs form the framework of the aircraft wings and are permanently exposed to enormous stresses while in the air. To save weight and counter the constant stress, aluminium wrought alloy has become the go-to material for wing ribs.

Our process-secure tooling solutions are designed to cope with high-speed machining operations and deliver outstanding parameters in machining processes.

1. MaxiMill HPC/HSC indexable insert milling cutter

High-speed milling

  • 90° shoulder milling system for roughing and finishing light alloys
  • Various milling applications are possible
  • Max. ap 18 mm
  • Large range of corner radii up to 6.4 mm

2. CCR-AL – solid carbide milling cutter

Trochoidal milling

  • First choice for the roughing of medium-sized aluminium pockets or slots
  • Special cutting edge design perfect for trochoidal milling (CPC: circle power cutting)
  • Cutting edge with chip breaker for reliable chip evacuation even at a large cutting depth
  • For milling of CPC applications up to 5xD

3. MaxiMill 491

Universal machining

  • Economical double-sided 90° indexable insert milling cutter system
  • Ground indexable insert with eight cutting edges
  • Its outstanding surface quality allows roughing and finishing to be carried out with the same indexable insert

4. AluLine WR

Conventional roughing

  • First choice for the roughing of smaller pockets and contours
  • The modified cutting edge geometry ensures low cutting forces, thus improving machining parameters and productivity
  • Uncoated grades, DLC coated or with PVD-multilayer coating

Practical examples

MaxiMill HPC/HSC indexable insert milling cutter

  • Component: aluminium structural component
  • Application: pocket machining, helical milling
  • Tool: MHSC.32.R.03-11-H63A-63
  • Indexable insert: XDHT 11T316FR-27P H216T
Cutting data CERATIZIT
Vc [m/min] 1250
fz [mm/tooth] 0.15
ap [mm] 6
ae [mm] 20
Emulsion Yes
Q [cm3/min] 671

CCR-AL – solid carbide milling cutter

  • Component: aluminium structural component
  • Application: helical and trochoidal milling of a pocket
  • Tool: CCR-AL.SA.12,0.45°.Z4.R1,6.HB.L DLC
Cutting data CERATIZIT
Vc [m/min] 400
fz [mm/tooth] 0.36
ap [mm] 36
ae [mm] 2.4
Emulsion Yes
Q [cm3/min] 1320

MaxiMill 491

  • Component: aluminium structural component
  • Application: slot milling, shoulder milling
  • Tool: A491.63.R.05-12
  • Indexable insert: SNHU 120412FR-F10 CTWN215
Cutting data CERATIZIT
Vc [m/min] 3500
nmax [mm/tooth] 18,000
fz [mm/tooth] 0.20
Vf [mm/min] 18,000
ap [mm] 5
ae [mm] 50
Emulsion Yes
Q [cm3/min] 4500