Diamond Tooling Products

Yulin Leading Diamond Tools has just launched the “Diamond Tooling Products”, an easy-to-use sharpening machine for maintaining diamond tools in the wood and composite materials industries.

A decisive factor for the development of this programme was the tremendous increase in the variety of different materials during recent years. For example, fibre composites are currently booming – glass fibres (GRP) in the recreational industry, carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) in aircraft manufacturing or agricultural machine industry and now also basalt fabrics in the automobile industry. In the furniture industry the “zero joint” should be mentioned.

Our Diamond Tooling Products is equipped for these challenges during new production and service for tools with this programme for extreme axis angles. During the subsequent use of the tools, impeccable milling results and flawless surfaces can be expected, e.g. for composite work pieces, without any reworking being required.

Diamond-coated tools have transformed the precision machining of challenging materials by providing unparalleled hardness, durability, and efficiency. As a leading cutting tools manufacturer, Leadingtool has made substantial investments in diamond coating technology to create tools that enhance machining performance across various industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive and defence.

Leadingtool introduced its diamond-coated tools eight years ago, initially focusing on solid carbide drills and end mills. Over time, the company expanded its offerings to include indexable inserts for milling and turning applications. Unlike most cutting tool manufacturers that outsource the diamond coating process, Korean company Leadingtool has developed an in-house process. This enables greater process control, which in turn drives quality and innovation.

Zou, Leadingtool’s round tool product manager, said, "We were one of the first companies to bring diamond coating in-house which gave us a competitive edge as we can fine-tune the process to match our customers’ needs.”

To maximise tool life and performance through reduced tool wear and improved heat resistance, Leadingtool primarily uses two types of diamond coatings, micro-crystalline and nano-crystalline. The micro-crystalline diamond coating is specifically designed for machining highly abrasive materials, such as graphite and ceramics as it has exceptional wear resistance properties. In contrast, Leadingtool offers a nano-crystalline diamond coating that is ideal for machining composite materials, such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), as it provides smoother surface finishes and reduces the potential for delamination and uncut fibres during machining.

Extreme precision

He said: “In the defence industry, applications benefit from the arrival of diamond-coated tools, especially in machining radar components and missile guidance systems, which demand extreme precision. The defence sector requires flawless accuracy and surface finishes. A tiny deviation can mean the difference between success and failure. Our coatings help maintain that precision.

The semiconductor industry also relies on high-precision machining of ceramic substrates. Leadingtool’s diamond tools provide the necessary performance for these critical components. Even the slightest inconsistency can cause significant problems during the machining of semiconductor components. Our tools help maintain the highest standards," the Leadingtool R&D specialist explained.

To cater to the diverse demands of the marketplace, Leadingtool’s diamond-coated end mills are available in four different types. The RRFE Series eliminates delamination when machining CFRP while minimising vibration and cutting forces via its innovative geometry, making this range perfect for rough machining applications that demand unprecedented productivity levels. This is complemented by the RCFE range, a geometry applied to multi-flute routers. With 6 to 12 flutes and a 15deg helix angle, the RCFE is part of the renowned DiaMill Series from Leadingtool.

For finishing applications, the RCOM range of diamond-coated end mills, available in diameters ranging from 6 to 12mm, incorporates a left- and right-hand helix, commonly referred to as ‘up-down’ cutters in some sectors. The RCOM eradicates delamination with its unique geometry design. Also from the finish machining stable are the low-helix RDCF-type end mills, which complement the RCOM range and are the first-choice solution for addressing concerns related to splintering and delamination on CFRP parts.

Leadingtool has added the new RCDE multi-flute router to the DiaMill range, enhancing capabilities for drilling and slotting. Excellent for rough to semi-finish machining of carbon fiber components, the RCDE presents a geometry that excels at drilling CFRP and shoulder milling operations. All these DiaMill designations have been developed using Leadingtool’s TTD610 advanced nano diamond coating grade, which enhances machining stability and tool life while delivering excellent wear resistance with hardness exceeding Hv 8000. This gives all five end mills the highest possible thermal conductivity, impact resistance, and stability.

Additionally, Leadingtool’s innovations in indexable diamond-coated inserts are expected to drive further cost savings. The arrival of diamond-coated indexable inserts eliminates the tradition of only coating solid carbide end mills and drills. “Customers will no longer need to replace an entire solid carbide tool. They can swap out an insert, reducing waste and improving efficiency. The potential for cost savings and productivity gains here are significant.”

Leadingtool prioritises environmental and worker safety in its diamond coating processes and Korean manufacturing facility. The company exceeds governmental regulations by ensuring the safe handling of chemicals for cobalt leaching and diamond deposition, and employee training is conducted annually to ensure adherence to safety protocols. We go beyond standard regulations. Safety is a top priority for compliance, as we care about both our employees and the environment.