Manufacturing Technology

Walter AG is expanding its range of thread formers with the addition of the TC430 Supreme, to go alongside its existing range of HSS-E-PM thread formers.

The HSS-E-PM thread formers, which can be used for blind hole and through hole threads, have been specially designed for a very long tool life in steel. This is in part down to the formers wear resistant HIPIMS coating (AlCrN), and in particular the combination of internal coolant and the avoidance of lubrication grooves for blind hole threads – which, Walter points out, is unique on the market. In addition to the cooling, this ensures good lubricating properties. The cooling fluid is ‘pressed’ out of the blind hole along the forming edges, which lubricates these edges and therefore reduces wear. When shaping blind hole and through hole threads, the internal coolant is radial.

With the TC430 Supreme, users benefit from a lasting high thread quality, even over a long tool life. The extremely smooth HIPIMS coating minimises weld formations in steel materials with high adhesion. The stable tool cross section without lubrication grooves – which is typical of thread formers – and the chip-free machining increase the process reliability.

Walter is making the TC430 Supreme available with and without lubrication grooves in the dimensions M2 – M20 (metric) and M8 x 1 – M16 x 1.5 (metric fine). In addition to the HIPIMS grade WW60EL (HSS-E-PM + AlCrN), Walter’s range also includes the thread former in the TiN coated grade  WW60AD (HSS-E-PM + TiN). This tool is typically used in general mechanical engineering, as well as the automotive and energy industries.