Indexable cutting tool specialist Pramet has unveiled a new PVD milling grade for general applications.

Part of a wide range of products recently released by Pramet, the creation of the M8340 grade is a significant development for its insert programme.

The M8340 grade - part of the Up!Grade family - offers enhanced wear resistance while maintaining consistent performance and process reliability under a variety of operating conditions.

Karel Tiefenbach, indexable milling product manager at Pramet, said: "The M8340 grade is a noteworthy breakthrough and the culmination of two years research and development, as well as substantial investment.

"The combination of the sub-micron grain size of the substrate and the multi-layer PVD coating enhances wear resistance - in particular, preventing the initiation and propagation of thermal cracks. As such, it will become the 'go to' grade for most general applications offering increased tool life and production efficiency."

Designed primarily for milling common steels, stainless steels and under certain conditions cast iron, the new grade, which will replace the existing 8240 grade, is being made available across almost 150 inserts within Pramet's indexable programme.

Mr Tiefenbach adds: "M8340 offers high operational reliability and versatility - a fact underlined by its suitability for both dry and flood-cooled operations."

To coincide with the introduction of the new grade, Pramet has also announced the launch of a range of universal 90? cutters for productive milling in smaller diameters.

The ADMX07 insert has been created to provide a versatile addition to the AD family, offering diameters down to 10mm for a variety of applications and materials. Available in three choices of radius - 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mm - the insert features an optimised cutting edge for smoother machining.

A reduced shank version is also available, enabling access to deep pockets and difficult to access areas. The milling cutter body is made from hardened tool steel to promote strength in unstable cutting conditions.

ADMX07 further strengthens the existing ADMX11 and ADMX16 ranges, which also see additions with new radius options as part of Pramet's second product update of 2014. This latest expansion, which also covers more selections for R (roughing) and FA (aluminium), makes the range of applications covered even more comprehensive.

The ADMX11 insert is one of Pramet's best-selling products as it features a highly positive geometry for lower machine power and a specially shaped groove for easy and fast chip removal, which in turn promotes continuous production.

A versatile solution for steel, stainless steel, cast iron, titanium, nickel, copper and aluminium, ADMX11 offers good quality component surface finish with support from new grades M8340 for steels and stainless steels and M0315 for non-ferrous materials.

Pramet, a product brand within the Dormer Pramet organisation, has also unveiled a line of three new grades to target increased operational reliability, cutting performance and durability in heavy milling applications.

The M5326 grade is for heavy milling of cast iron and features a unique MT-CVD coating which provides high stability to the cutting edge. The M8326 is aimed at heavy milling applications in steels and combines wear resistance and toughness with high durability and reliability.

Meanwhile, the M8346 is suitable for heavy milling of steels and stainless steels. Pramet's toughest grade available, it offers high operational reliability in the least favourable and most unstable machining conditions.

In addition to the new grades, Pramet has announced a significant enhancement of its LNGX12 shoulder milling inserts. Following high customer demand, the cost-effective range now features new geometries including F (finishing), R (roughing) and FA (aluminium) and additional radius options from 0.4 - 3.0mm.

A versatile tool, the LNGX12 provides process reliability for a wide field of applications encompassing most engineering materials and milling operations, including face milling, shoulder milling, grooving, plunging, helical interpolation, ramping and progressive plunging.

The November launch of products also sees Pramet adding to its range of tools for the rail industry - specifically for the re-turning of wheel-sets. Pramet's cutting tools are used around the world in the annual production of more than eight million railway wheels and this expansion supports its growing offer for the rail sector.

The new Chip Breaker TF has been designed specifically for smaller cutting depths. Insert CNMX 191140SN and associated indexable cassettes with anvils have also been added to the range, while two new grades - T5305 and T5315 - for machining of very hard wheels are now available. The grades provide very high wear resistance and toughness, as well as supporting high cutting conditions.