Rochester, New York, March 30, 2008—Gleason has introduced a new line of gear gashing, shaping and hobbing cutters that employ the latest in replaceable, indexable carbide insert technology to make significant improvements in the speed and efficiency of large spur and helical pinion production.

The new OPTI-CUT™ series of cutters is one of the first in its size range – as large as Module 34 (50DP) -- to use indexable inserts with advanced carbide substrates and coatings to compete with the solid, high speed steel cutters normally used to rough and finish gash, hob or shape large cylindrical gears. With OPTI-CUT, large gear manufacturers now can operate their gear production machines at significantly higher feeds and speeds, and even cut dry, helping to reduce total cost per workpiece.

The use of OPTI-CUT also eliminates the time and expense associated with grinding/resharpening solid cutters as their cutting surfaces wear with repeated use. With OPTI-CUT, wear is accommodated quickly, easily and economically simply by indexing inserts to a new cutting edge – with four edges available before the insert needs to be replaced.



In addition, OPTI-CUT features a unique, patented insert screw vice system that uses angled clamping screws rather than screws that clamp specifications at right angles to the insert. As a result, longer screws can be used to more securely clamp the insert. Indexing can be done without cutter disassembly or special drivers because of better access.