It’s been nearly 25 years since Seco Toolsintroduced its Minimaster end mills with replaceable carbide inserts, and recently it unveiled the Minimaster Plus designs, with advanced features for milling steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, and other difficult-to-machine materials.

Seco Tools develops and supplies metalcutting products for milling, turning, holemaking, and toolholding. The most notable new feature of the Minimaster Plus is the high-precision interface between the replaceable carbide insert and the steel shank. The insert has an internal thread and external taper, while the shank has an internal taper with a threaded center pin, which adds reliability and stability and minimizes run-out.

Additionally, a new axial stop on the shank increases repeatability and productivity by allowing users to replace an insert without having to remove the tool from machine spindles. Then, the new insert then repositions axially within 25 microns.

Intended for general machining in the aerospace, power generation, die and mold, automotive and medical industries, the Minimaster Plus replaceable tip milling system “makes tool-length re-measurement obsolete,” according to the developer. The milling system offers a large selection of inserts and shanks for numerous demanding milling applications.

There are 24 versions of the shank available, as well as square shoulder and ball nose inserts that have through-tool coolant on all two and three flute designs for excellent cooling and efficient chip removal. Inserts are available in two grades for machining all types of materials and E- and M-geometries for a smooth cutting design. Insert diameters range from 0.375 to 0.625 in., and corner radii are available from 0.0157 to 0.122 in. to match design requirements.