IMCO Carbide Tool’s advanced cutting tool technology has achieved another metalworking breakthrough with the new wave of Omega M7 end mills, the company recently announced.

“Omega M726 and M725 end mills are specially designed to overcome the unique challenges of machining in hardened steels, even up to 58-62 HRC, running wet or dry,” said IMCO President Perry Osburn. “We’ve produced significant increases in tool life – and corresponding savings in tool costs – by applying our advanced understanding of cutting technology to make sure our end mills are the best they can possibly be.”

That process resulted in changes to corner geometries, a 50° helix angle, improved cutting edges and a more advanced AlTiNX coating to protect those cutting edges from heat generated in the cutting zone, even under extreme cutting conditions. Details can be seen in IMCO’s new Omega M7 Series catalog, now available in print and online at imcousa.com.

Six flutes provide more cutting edge engagement per rotation for more inches per minutes in hardened steels, and extra strength for remarkably longer tool life. Running dry requires use of modern high-speed, high-efficiency machining techniques and continuous toolpaths.

Tested in IMCO’s machining lab in A2 steel at HRC 60 using 1/4” dia. end mill at 0.25” axial DOC and 0.015” radial DOC, the Omega M726 end mill lasted more than 3 times longer than comparable competitors’ tools and even the original M706. In addition, the M726 end mill provides reliably superior finishes in a wide range of non-hardened materials.

The new Omega M7 line is available in sizes from 1/8” to 3/4” and in a variety of lengths with neck relief and corner radii as standard options. Sizes 1/8” to 3/16” have five flutes for maximum chip evacuation and are designated the M725 series. All other geometries on M725 end mills are the same as those on M726 end mills.

IMCO’s Omega M7 Series is part of the company’s next generation of more aggressive high-performance end mills. IMCO research to develop new and better end mill designs is ongoing.