Sandvik Coromant Introduces All-Directional Turning Solution

Sandvik Coromant has unveiled a new turning concept designed to offer improved machining flexibility and the potential for significant productivity gains. The company’s PrimeTurning methodology and supporting tools provide manufacturers, particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors, with an ‘all-directional turning’ solution.

PrimeTurning allows machine shops to complete longitudinal (forward and back), facing, and profiling operations with a single tool. The methodology is based on the tool entering the component at the chuck and removing material as it travels towards the end of the component.

This allows for the application of a small entering angle, higher lead angle, and the possibility of machining with higher cutting parameters. Conventional turning (from part-end to chuck) can also be performed using the same tools.

Sandvik Coromant believes that some applications could see productivity increases in excess of 50 percent by using PrimeTurning rather than conventional techniques. Some of these improvements are a result of the small entering angle and higher lead angle, which creates thinner, wider chips that spread the load and heat away from the nose radius. The result is both increased cutting data and extended tool life.

(Image courtesy of Sandvik Coromant.)

In addition, as cutting is performed in the direction moving away from the shoulder, there is no danger of chip jamming (a common and unwanted effect of conventional longitudinal turning). Higher machine utilization as a result of reduced setup time and fewer production stops for tool changes also enhances overall productivity.

“Experienced operators know that a small entering angle allows for increased feed rates,” said Håkan Ericksson, global product specialist at Sandvik Coromant. “However, in conventional turning, they are restricted to using entering angles of around 90° to reach the shoulder and avoid the long, curved chips that a small entering angle characteristically delivers.”

“PrimeTurning solves these problems by combining a perfect reach at the shoulder and the application of 25–30° entering angles with excellent chip control and maintained tolerances,” Ericksson added.

PrimeTurning is initially supported by the introduction of two dedicated CoroTurn Prime turning tools and the PrimeTurning code generator. CoroTurn Prime inserts have three edges/corners: one for longitudinal turning, one for facing and one for profiling.

(Image courtesy of Sandvik Coromant.)

The company is also offering two unique and dedicated inserts: CoroTurn Prime A-type features three 35° corners and is designed for light roughing, finishing and profiling, while CoroTurn Prime B-type is designed specifically for rough machining.

Suitable for ISO P (steel), S (heat-resistant super alloys and titanium), and M (stainless steel) category materials, nine CoroTurn Prime A-type and six CoroTurn Prime B-type inserts are currently available, with expansion to other materials planned for the future.

The inserts are supported by 52 variants of tool holders, including Coromant Capto, CoroTurn QS and shanks.

For more information, visit the Sandvik Coromant website.