Updated Milling Grade Offers Offers Strong Cutting Edges for Process Reliability, Extended Tool Life

Walter’s PVD-coated Tiger·tec Gold WSM36G milling grade for is an an upgrade for the current WSM36 grade to offer improved cutting performance and longer tool life. The WSM36G has an aluminum titanium nitride (AlTiN) coating that features layer bonding, which is topped with a gold-colored zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating layer for wear detection. As the ZrN coating wears, it reveals the violet bronze color of the AlTiN coating.

The company says the WSM36G grade increases tool life by 50% compared to an existing grade. Walter optimized the layer thickness of the coatings to provide optimal coverage of the insert’s sharp cutting edges. The WSM36G grade features a smooth surface layer with a good balance between toughness and wear resistance. 

The Tiger·tec Gold grade WSM36G is well suited for machining materials made from titanium alloys (ISO S material group). The grade is also suitable for milling nickel-based superalloys and stainless steel (ISO S and M material groups). The targeted areas of use include the aerospace and energy industries, mold and diemaking, and general mechanical engineering.

The grade is specifically for the P3204 inserts used in the Walter Xtra·tecXT M5460 profile milling cutter for precise copying and finishing. The P3204 exchangeable insert features a fully ground circumference enabling the Xtra·tec XT M5460 profile milling cutter to benefit end users by enabling maximum process reliability because of the strong cutting edges, the finest surface finish quality due to smooth tool coatings and the ability to optimally remove chips, and maximum cost-efficiency because the cutter can run at a high cutting speed. 

The cutting diameter (Dc) for the Xtra.tec XT M5460 profile milling tool is offered from 8 to 32 mm, or 3/8" to 1.0" and is available with ScrewFit adaptation, a cylindrical-modular  interface or a cylindrical shank.