Time for a change – XChange tap: modular tap for cast materials

The secret of the new tap is its combination of a solid carbide cutting head and a high-speed steel (HSS) shank using a patented interface. The head of the tap is screwed onto the shank and can be easily replaced by users when it becomes worn. The end result is a tool that combines the positive characteristics of the HSS shank – high torsional rigidity and strength – with the higher cutting speed and longer tool life of the carbide cutter.

 

“We add the advantages of HSS and solid carbide and avoid the respective disadvantages. As a result, we calculate the XChange drill will achieve at least 30 % higher productivity in serial production when compared with conventional HSS and solid carbide tools,” says Matthias Rommel, managing director of the LMT Technology Group. “We initially aim to replace a significant proportion of HSS and solid carbide drills with XChange for the processing of cast materials, before then gradually expanding into other application areas.” The new taps are immediately available in the sizes M8 to M12. Sizes M14 to M18 will follow in spring 2011. Tool holders designed for internal cooling are scheduled to become available from August 2011.

Polaris: high-performance colour-coded coating

A recently developed LMT multilayer hard coating also helps boost the performance of XChange drills. “It involves an aluminium-titanium-nitride layer with a titanium top coating, which is specially designed for cutting cast materials,” explains Rommel. Another special feature is the coating’s shiny blue colour. “Not only does the new coating increase performance, but it also stands out, which is why we decided to call it ‘Polaris’, like the polar star,” says Rommel. “We are planning to coat all our cast taps with Polaris so that users can immediately see they are using a tool for that material.”