Tungaloy Launches Helical Milling Tool Selector to Simplify Hole-Making Process Planning
Tungaloy has launched the Helical Milling Tool Selector, a new digital engineering tool designed to simplify tool selection and process planning for helical milling applications.
Helical milling is widely used for producing and enlarging holes due to its flexibility, reduced cutting forces, and ability to machine a range of hole diameters using a single tool. However, selecting the appropriate cutter and determining suitable process conditions often requires extensive application knowledge and multiple engineering calculations.
The Helical Milling Tool Selector automates this process by analyzing application requirements and recommending suitable tooling solutions together with the critical process parameters required for successful helical milling operations.
The selector supports both direct helical milling and hole expansion applications. Users simply enter key machining requirements such as workpiece material, final hole diameter, machining depth, application objective, machining method, and machine limitations. The system then evaluates hundreds of tooling configurations and presents the most appropriate solutions for the application.
In addition to tool recommendations, the selector automatically calculates critical process data, including:
- Recommended cutter diameter
- Tool path diameter
- Pitch and ramping angle
- Feed rate and cutting speed
- Estimated power and torque requirements
- Machining time estimation
To support process planning and decision-making, the system presents solutions with different levels of application compatibility, helping users quickly identify the most suitable options while understanding potential application considerations.
Each recommendation also includes detailed engineering information, such as selection rationale, compatible inserts, specification checks, and candidate item numbers, providing greater confidence during process planning and setup.
By combining tool selection, process verification, and process parameter calculation in a single platform, the Helical Milling Tool Selector helps manufacturers reduce engineering time, simplify process planning, and improve productivity.
The Helical Milling Tool Selector is available free of charge through the Tungaloy website:
