The right tool can save you some big bucks.

Sometimes, you set out with the goal to simply improve your operation processes. But if you can find some big cost savings along the way, the mission becomes an even greater success. Our customer was machining truck arm components from austempered ductile iron, a material with high abrasiveness and inconsistent hardness. The application was challenging, and the customer wasn’t happy with the 190 holes their drill achieved before the inserts would ultimately fail.

The customer wanted to test the 4TEX Indexable Carbide Drill using the “K” geometry with AM480 coating designed specifically for wear-resistance in cast iron material applications. To the customer’s delight, the 4TEX obliterated the tool life, increasing from 190 to 800 holes (a 320% increase). And with no tool failure, the 4TEX was already the clear choice for the customer moving forward.

However, the 4TEX provided another major benefit for the customer. They had been using a high penetration drill with an expensive insert. The 4TEX used two indexable inserts, and by using all four sides of each insert, there was a 97% decrease in the customer’s cost per hole.

In the beginning, the customer wanted to improve their tool life and eliminate the tool failures. In the end, the 4TEX easily handled those goals, all while saving the customer a significant amount of money in the process. The right tool shouldn’t just improve your process; it should save you money, too.

Find an Allied tooling distributor near you.

• Drill holder, 2xD length:  D2072200M-100F
• Drill inserts, K geometry (cast iron):  4T-070305-K

• 97% cost per hole decrease
• Increased tool life
• Eliminated tool failure
• Worry-free machining