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Greenleaf Tooling for Aerospace: Built to Keep You Cutting

11/12/2025

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by Bernard Martin
GREENLEAF TOOLING FOR AEROSPACE: BUILT TO KEEP YOU CUTTING
If you’re cutting parts for the aerospace industry, you already know the materials don’t give in easily. Whether it’s titanium, Inconel, composites, or heat-treated alloys, the challenge isn’t just about removing metal—it’s about doing it reliably, efficiently, and within the tight specs your customers demand. That’s where Greenleaf’s aerospace tooling lineup really shows its value.

The catalog below is a pretty comprehensive overview of solutions engineered specifically for aerospace applications. From solid carbide tools and indexable milling systems to ceramic inserts and high-performance coatings, every tool in the lineup is aimed at helping you handle tough materials with more confidence and consistency.

What stands out right away is Greenleaf’s focus on tool life and process stability. Their XSYTIN®-360 solid ceramic line is a great example—it’s built to handle high-speed, high-temperature machining of nickel-based superalloys, and it’s tough enough to extend tool life in the most demanding environments.

On the carbide side, the WSRPF end mills bring variable pitch geometry to the table to minimize chatter, with standard neck reliefs that allow you to get deep into pockets without tool interference—especially helpful when working on thin-walled or contoured aerospace features.

Indexable milling is just as strong. Tools like the FMRPF face mills provide the flexibility to transition between roughing and finishing operations, giving you more control over surface finish and tool life without having to constantly swap out holders. Whether you're roughing structural titanium or finishing composite skins, Greenleaf's indexable are designed to give you predictable performance and stable results.

When it comes to blisks and other turbomachinery parts, tool choice becomes even more critical. In nickel-based alloys, ceramics offer a clear advantage for rough slotting—especially when paired with round positive inserts, which help you move metal aggressively without sacrificing process security.

​For titanium-based blisks, where ceramics won’t cut it, the same insert style still applies, but in coated carbide. And for blades with tight curves where a straight slotting cutter won’t reach, Greenleaf’s custom curved slotting cutters give you a specialized, time-saving solution that can often replace more expensive multi-axis roughing setups.

Holemaking is another area where Greenleaf’s engineering shows up on the shop floor. Whether you're pushing coolant through drills to bore deep titanium spars or using custom step tools to get clean breakouts in stacked aerospace materials, you’ll find options here that cut cycle time while maintaining bore integrity. Their reamers are tuned for dimensional control and repeatability, even on thin-walled parts, and help prevent the kind of finish problems that show up later during final inspection.

For challenging groove and slot applications, Greenleaf’s Powerlock® Top Notch-style inserts are a smart pick. These are build-to-order, so you can dial in exactly what you need. They're especially useful for thin grooves in high-temp materials where tool deflection and vibration are a concern. Both full-nose and flat-nose geometries are available, with standard and custom widths depending on your part specs.

And when you're machining hard superalloys—think Inconel or Waspaloy--Greenleaf’s ceramic and cBN insertsbecome essential. These are made for high-speed turning or milling where you simply can’t afford inconsistent finishes or poor tool wear. Combined with Greenleaf’s high-performance coatings, these inserts offer the kind of heat resistance and tool longevity that help keep costs predictable and quality high.

Even if you're not running huge batches, there’s a lot to like here. Greenleaf’s combination drills and chamfer tools can help you reduce tool stations and program complexity, which means more spindle time and fewer interruptions for manual intervention.

If your shop is pushing the envelope in aerospace machining, this catalog offers a roadmap to improving productivity across your process. Whether you're focused on cycle time reduction, better surface finishes, or just trying to keep your machines running longer between tool changes, there’s something in here designed to move the needle.

The full catalog is embedded below so you can dive deeper. But if you're working with exotic materials, tight tolerances, and the kind of quality standards aerospace customers expect, and you want to take a closer look at what Greenleaf is offering, get in contact with our team here at Factory Tooling Solutions.
​
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Get More From Your Machining: Mapal PCD Tooling

6/19/2024

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by Bernard Martin
Mapal PCD Tooling
When you're cutting non-ferrous materials or composite stacks, you know that tool life, edge life, and surface finish can make or break a job. That’s where Mapal PCD tooling really shines. Known for precision, longevity, and optimized performance in high-speed applications, Mapal ’s polycrystalline diamond (PCD) solutions are engineered for shops that can’t afford to cut corners—or stop production for frequent tool changes.

Whether you're machining aluminum components for aerospace, carbon-reinforced plastics for automotive, or copper alloys for energy systems, Mapal delivers tools that stay sharp and consistent.

Why PCD?
PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) is sintered diamond grit bonded with a metallic matrix, creating an ultra-hard cutting material ideal for abrasive and non-ferrous workpieces.

Compared to carbide, PCD offers up to 100x longer tool life in the right application—and dramatically reduces built-up edge and microburr formation, which saves time on post-processing.

Mapal’s PCD Tooling Range
Mapal offers a comprehensive selection of PCD tooling to suit everything from drilling and reaming to milling and contouring. Here's what you can expect:

PCD Milling Tools
  • Applications: Face milling, slotting, shoulder milling, and contour milling of aluminum alloys, magnesium, and CFRP/GFRP.
  • Sizes: Diameter ranges from Ø3 mm up to Ø200 mm depending on tool style.
  • Designs: Monoblock, brazed, and replaceable-head versions.
  • Tolerance: Down to ±0.01 mm on diameter, and exceptionally high surface finish capability (Ra < 0.4 µm with optimized parameters).

PCD Drills
  • Applications: Precision drilling in aluminum engine blocks, transmission housings, and battery components.
  • Geometry: Special flute geometries for optimized chip evacuation and reduced built-up edge.
  • Diameter Range: From Ø3 mm up to Ø32 mm standard, with custom options available.
  • Coolant Options: Internal through-coolant options for high-volume chip control.

PCD Reamers
  • Applications: High-precision hole sizing in aerospace and automotive components.
  • Tolerances: H6 and tighter, ensuring precise fits in critical assemblies.
  • Designs: Fixed blade and adjustable reamers, with step reaming options for multi-diameter holes.

PCD Combination Tools
  • For multi-step operations in a single pass—ideal for automated production lines where cycle time is critical.
  • Custom-engineered based on your component specs, material, and machine interface.

Coatings and Edge Treatments
While PCD is itself the cutting edge, Mapal adds proprietary treatments to improve chip flow, reduce friction, and prevent delamination when working with layered composites. Edges can be honed or laser-cut for ultimate sharpness and consistency.

Reconditioning & Regrinding
One of the benefits of Mapal's PCD tooling is that many tools can be professionally reconditioned multiple timeswithout sacrificing performance. This significantly extends your ROI and keeps your tooling inventory lean.

Ready to Upgrade Your Tooling?

If you're cutting aluminum, magnesium, CFRP, or other non-ferrous materials, Mapals PCD tooling might be the last upgrade you need for a long while. Factory Tooling Solutions can help you spec out the right geometry, holder style, and chipbreaker for your application—and even set you up with a test tool to see the difference in action.

Let’s talk about how PCD can eliminate headaches and boost your output.

Contact FTS
Eeditors note: Jan 21, 2025  We thought you might enjoy seeing this video tour and overview of PCD tooling from Mapal from the folks at MTD CNC
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Fullerton Tool’s VMAC End Mill – Versatility and Muscle in Every Cut

3/13/2024

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by Bernard Martin
Fullerton Tool VMAC End mIll Stainless Steel Titanium inconel 17-4
If you’re a machinist looking for a solid performer in your end mill arsenal, the VMAC from Fullerton Tool should be on your radar. Whether you're slotting, profiling, or finishing, this 5-flute powerhouse delivers performance, precision, and consistency—especially in tougher materials where tool life really matters.

The VMAC, which stands for Versatile Multi-Application Cutter, is engineered to handle a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, with a strong emphasis on stainless steels and high-temp alloys. So if you’re burning through tools trying to hold tight tolerances in 17-4, Inconel, or Titanium, this cutter might just be your shop’s new MVP.

Engineered for Versatility
What makes Fullerton Tool's VMAC stand out is its geometry—it’s optimized with a variable helix and a differential flute spacing to minimize chatter, especially on long reaches and deep pockets. You get stable cutting even under aggressive parameters, with less harmonic vibration and a smoother finish.

It’s a go-to cutter for:
  • Aerospace components
  • Medical-grade stainless parts
  • Tool & die work
  • General-purpose machining where finish matters

Technical Specs That Matter
Here’s where the VMAC shines on paper—and in your spindle:
  • Flute Count: 5 (Standard)
  • Helix Angle: Variable, typically 35°–38°
  • Shank Tolerance: h6
  • Cutting Diameter Tolerance: +0.000” / -0.002”
  • Length Options: Stub, Standard, and Long Reach
  • Corner Configurations: Sharp, Corner Radius (0.010"–0.060"), or Chamfer
  • Coatings:
    • FC20 (AlTiN nano-composite) – Ideal for high-temp alloys and dry machining
    • FC15 (TiAlN) – General-purpose, excellent wear resistance
    • Uncoated – Available for softer materials like aluminum

Size Range
The VMAC comes in a broad range of dimensions to meet your job’s requirements:
  • Cutting Diameters: 1/8” to 1” (Metric options also available: 3mm–25mm)
  • Overall Lengths: Up to 4.0”
  • Flute Lengths: Varies by diameter, from 0.375” up to 2.0”
If you need custom dimensions, Fullerton Tool also supports application-specific modifications through their engineered solutions group—great if you’re running a repeat job with a unique setup.

Built for Productivity
The VMAC isn’t just versatile—it’s a workhorse. Shops report excellent chip control, lower spindle load, and noticeable improvements in surface finish compared to standard 4-flute tools. It’s the kind of cutter that performs well even when you push it harder than you think you should.

Paired with proper toolholders—like a hydraulic chuck or a shrink-fit system—you’ll see the full benefit of this tool’s concentricity and rigidity. Add in high-pressure coolant and optimal speeds & feeds, and the VMAC doesn’t just hold tolerances—it crushes them.

Ready to see what Fullerton Tool's VMAC can do in your own shop? Factory Tooling Solutions makes it easy to run a test tool and dial in the best setup for your application. Whether you're chasing tighter tolerances, longer tool life, or faster cycle times, we’ll help you optimize your machining with the right cutter and support. Get in touch today to schedule a VMAC trial and start cutting with confidence.

Let's test a tool!

Speeds & Feeds for the Fullerton VMAC

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