Ramping with the SGE-R Insert for Mill 4-15

Ramping with the SGE-R Insert for Mill 4-15™

A small thing can make a big difference. See this here? That is what makes the difference between having the capability to ramp with a tool or not. We're talking about this tool here, the Mill 4-15. The shoulder mill that's well known for its capabilities to create excellent wall surface finishes especially when running multiple passes. It literally leaves no visible marks behind. It has a maximum depth of cut of 15 millimeters and four cutting edges, but it can't ramp, not with this insert, but now it can with this one. See the big "R" on the insert? That stands for ramping, and that's the new SGE-R geometry. Let's check it out!

Ramping 4140 Steel with the SGE-R Insert

We're machining on this block of 4140 steel. We'll start with this 50 millimeter cutter and 5 of the SGE geometry inserts in the cutter. That's the one that cannot ramp, and you'll see that it can't right away. We're taking a 5 millimeter radial depth of cut pass. Axial depth of cut starts at 9.9 millimeters and exits at 15 millimeters axial depth cut. That's a 1.36 degree ramping angle. Look at the sparks, it's leaving a lot of burrs. This doesn't look good at all, but no surprise right?

That's why you need to pay attention to the "R" on the insert. Only the SGE-R geometry is capable of ramping. Let's clean this up and try this again. This time with the SGE-R geometry, same cutting conditions, same ramping angle of 1.36 degrees.

Nice! No sparks, no burrs, beautiful.

Next, we're going to create a pocket with helical interpolation. Same ramping angle again, it's almost silent. Very soft cutting action, it's pretty amazing.

Finally, we'll create another pocket. This time, with a very tight situation where the chips have nowhere to go. We're zigzagging back and forth, same maximum ramp angle again, same cutting parameters. We're seeing and hearing the same again, very soft cut, very good looking surface.

The SGE-R is a great addition to the Mill 4-15 insert portfolio. It also comes with four cutting edges, one corner radii, and five different grades. It works great in nearly all materials, and makes the Mill 4-15 more versatile than ever. Thanks for checking out the Mill 4-15™ and the new SGE-R Insert for ramping.