Shaper Cutters

Eagle Manufacturing is a thriving student-run manufacturing business out of Brown County High School in Nashville, Indiana.

PTSolutions, a leading provider of industrial solutions based in Novi, Michigan, on May 20 announced an exclusive cutting tooling partnership with the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA), a prominent organization in the tooling and machining industry. This collaboration aims to deliver exceptional benefits to NTMA members, including discounts on cutting tools, services and support.

More than 40 years ago, the indexable insert drill changed the way machinists make holes. It continues to do so today.

From Rene 41, 718 stainless steel and 625 Inconel to titanium and carbon fiber, the materials used in the aerospace and defense industry sector as well as space exploration continue to present significant toolholding challenges. A toolholder can tackle these challenges.

Minority-owned Preco Manufacturing achieves superior finishes for aerospace applications while overcoming V-flange CNC milling problems via JM Performance Products’ high-torque retention knobs.

Manufacturers can achieve 90% machine use reduction with power skiving.

On its 80th anniversary, the KEO brand looks ahead to the future. The company's long-range strategy is to build upon the trust and reputation of the brand and to acquire diverse, complementary companies to drive overall growth.

Tools today are far superior to those used in previous firearm production methods, which provides the opportunity to combine operations into a single cutting tool, eliminating the need for additional tooling in the machine shop.

Machining titanium cost-effectively requires special attention to the distinctive features of this material – particularly for choosing the right tools.

Predicting tool wear for process security and reduced waste in steel turning is a critical component of unmanned production.

Advanced tool holders with precision coolant improve cost-efficiency in steel turning.

Branding for Gorilla Mill, a manufacturer of carbide drills, endmills and cutting tools, is simian-themed, aggressive and fun, and it comes with the tagline “Weapons of Mass Production.” The company has grown in employees, distributors and a diverse spread of customers. ANCA's CNC machines have played a large role in Gorilla Mill's progress.

Fast, flexible custom tooling, easy access to tool data through cloud technology and automation are some of the technologies driving tool production processes, according to a recent discussion between two industry executives.

Changing a three-axis machining process from a vertical machining center (VMC) to a horizontal machining center (HMC) offers many benefits.

A tool manufacturer overcomes the challenges of excessive heat generation in the cutting zone.

Supporting both the growth of U.S. manufacturing and the growth of the cutting tools market is ARCH Cutting Tools, with its expanded, all-American Patriot High Performance portfolio.

The global pandemic has impacted businesses around the world, but for Aiguisatek, a Canada-based sharpening service, the impact was compounded by stringent local regulation in the Quebec province that all but shut down manufacturing in the area. Automation technology solved these challenges.

Choosing the right tools, and determining the right tool calculations, is vital to overcome diversification challenges and developing new revenue streams.

Many countries are moving to end the sales of fossil-fueled cars, and auto manufacturers are experimenting with electric vehicle technology to meet these requirements. The trend may have an impact on cutting tool sales, according to a new post by ANCA, a manufacturer of cutting tools.

Auto parts manufacturer SB Dezigns in North East, Maryland, has implemented a new end mill and chuck solution that helped them save 62% in costs on a recent application.

Unlike cutting tool manufacturers who produce the same product, the same SKUs, year after year, engineer-to-order cutting tool manufacturers are constantly managing revisions to meet the custom, one-of-a-kind demands of customers.

Unlike machining other materials, machining stainless steel requires review of myriad aspects prior to beginning work in the machine shop. While machining stainless has unique challenges, its benefits outweigh those challenges.

Machining medical components cost-effectively and reliably requires high-precision tools that have been tested in practice to meet specifications that often reaches the micron level. Tool manufacturer, Inovatools, offers the Inomed range of tools for this application.

Wisconsin-based Integrity Saw & Tool Inc. purchased a Vollmer CHX 840 circular saw blade sharpening machine with the Vollmer HS automated loading station to increase capacity to meet the demand from a new pallet manufacturing customer.

Fewer than 30% of manufacturers have extensively adopted Industry 4.0 technologies, according to findings published in a new report, but manufacturers’ reluctance to go digital might have to change if they are to adapt to an unpredictable future. Sandvik Coromant's testing finds that an increase in machine utilization can result in a higher gross profit margin.

Continuous development of customer-focused tool solutions is the idea behind the growth of Paul Horn GmbH, suppliers of cutting tools for manufacturers of machine tools for pipe and coupling production, as well as end users. 

Marcus Ralston explains his outlook regarding three key milestones of the evolution taking the cutting tool industry into the 21st century.

Inovatools USA LLC in Hartland, Michigan, offers a broad product range of high-performance solid carbide mills that meet the exacting requirements in mold, fixture and die manufacturing.

Many machine shops are losing tens of thousands of dollars in company profits each year by not implementing quick-change tooling on mills and lathes. Implementing this technology can easily reduce downtime an hour a day.

September 2020 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $156.1 million. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was up 14.7 percent from August's $136.1 million and down 20.5 percent when compared with the $196.3 million reported for September 2019.

A new line of aluminum tools from Inovatools utilizes the ta-C thin-layered coating that the company says makes the process of machining aluminum and its alloys more productive and cost-effective.

Don Schumacher Motorsports (DSM) is one of the country’s most successful motorsports companies, both on and off the track. Tooling from Sandvik Coromant helped the company achieve some impressive goals.

While the latest data on cutting tool orders shows a decline, orders appear to have “found a bottom” and tool suppliers look to the future with the release of a multitude of new tooling, workholding, machine tools and accessories into the marketplace.

Fastems Group will host an online Open House & Conference entitled "Productivity Beyond Machine Tending" that will showcase the latest developments in automation and surrounding technologies.

The main driver of business sustainability goals is to make an impact on the environment. Another benefit is the economic value of implementing sustainable actions. Can businesses save money, and protect the planet? Sandvik thinks so.

When it comes to designing, CAD software has its place, but purchasing and maintaining multiple CAD licenses can be expensive. Kisters offers a solution for supplying CAD to multiple users.

Industrial automation is changing the way cutting tool manufacturers operate. Machines can take on the heavy lifting at each stage of production letting workers get on with less repetitive tasks. And while automation may sound costly and complex to implement, it’s not reserved just for big business.

Schunk, a premium tooling and resharpening company in Germany, utilizes state-of-the-art grinding systems and an ANCA workflow RFID system to finish job packets in a chaotic fashion driven by production needs rather than by job order.

Registration is now open for Ceratizit’s virtual event that runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30, 2020.

The larger the series of parts to be produced, the more important cycle times and tool costs are. Designing machinery and tooling through a collaborative design process reduces cycle times and tooling costs, while improving part quality.

The Integrex i-H series of multi-tasking machines from Mazak was designed to allow for additional automation technologies to be added onto the machine after purchase as a company's production needs grow and change.

Tooling manufacturers must machine tools to cut an evolving array of materials from exotic metals to composites and meet ever-more exacting tolerances and produce more complex shapes and radii.

Ceratizit USA Inc. has joined forces with several companies to make ventilators.

Bloomfield, CT – Dapra Corp., an American manufacturer of indexable carbide milling tools and inserts, is pleased to announce an initiative to support U.S. shops that are pivoting their manufacturing processes to supply the medical industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As an industry #ANCATooloftheYear celebrates the knowledge and imagination of cutting tool craftsmen, creating tools with the perfect geometry, profile and finish that shape and build our world every day.

According to the 2017 McKinsey report "Making it in America – Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing," the manufacturing industry is responsible for 35% of the nation’s productivity growth, 60% of its exports and about 70% of private sector R&D spending. These figures point to just how impactful American manufacturing is to the U.S. economy. Visionary American manufacturers have the opportunity to lead the evolution in this industry, which is the basis for the growth/investment strategy of ARCH Cutting Tools (ACT).

When making a cutting tool, I tend to think of a drill, endmill or other metalcutting tool being produced on a CNC tool and cutter grinder in a factory. A book by Bradley Richardson, however, describes how to make a different type of cutting tool with manual tools and equipment in a nonproduction environment. Published by Fox Chapel Publishing Co. Inc., Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, “Making Your Own Bush Knife: A Beginner’s Guide for the Backyard Knifemaker,” details the process of creating a custom knife.

September 2019 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $195.9 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was down 4.3 percent from August's $204.7 million and down 7 percent when compared with the $210.6 million reported for September 2018. With a year-to-date total of $1.8 billion, 2019 is up 0.2 percent when compared with 2018. Please note there were revisions to August 2019.

At first blush, hardness and toughness may seem like interchangeable concepts, but they actually exist at opposite ends of a continuum that defines indexable and solid tool performance, particularly when it comes to carbide inserts. Harder inserts offer greater wear resistance for superior performance and tool life in hot cutting environments, while tough inserts can handle greater impacts and stressors for the highest feed and depth of cut. For any given application, there is an optimal balance of hardness and toughness – and toolmakers have worked diligently to establish metallurgic principles to offer a range of tools that can meet the diverse needs of manufacturers.

A Ph.D. candidate from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, has been awarded a $15,000 prize for developing a 3D-printed steel tool capable of cutting titanium alloys as well as—if not better than—traditionally manufactured steel tools. The achievement marks a first and could pave the way for increased applications of 3D printing in tool production.

Russ Hubbard - Creating Unique Environments in Portland, OR

Seventy years ago when the Society of Carbide Engineers launched the trade magazine that eventually became Cutting Tool Engineering as its official publication, the articles primarily covered carbide cutting tools. After all, the association advertised that those who were engaged in studying, using, supervising the use of or furthering the use of carbides were eligible for membership.

Long wait times? Extra costs? Too complicated? Bruce Kyle, president of toolmaker Knight Carbide Inc. in Chesterfield, Mich., wants to dispel myths about ordering custom carbide inserts.

Dormer Pramet is launching a webinar series to occur the fourth Friday of every month. The first three sessions are open for enrollment. These 30-minute sessions, which will be led by round tool and indexable product experts, are free and designed to expand participants' knowledge of cutting tools. The webinars are geared toward professionals in the fields of sales, technical support and customer service.

October U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $198 million, according to the United States Cutting Tool Institute, Cleveland, and The Association for Manufacturing Technology, McLean, Va. This total, as reported by companies participating in the collaborative Cutting Tool Market Report, was up 13.2 percent from September’s $174.92 million and up 17.2 percent when compared with the $169 million reported for October 2016. With a year-to-date total of $1.835 billion, 2017 is up 8 percent when compared with 2016.

Historically, the round tool cutting industry hasn’t offered many educational events to customers for collaboration. 3M is on a mission to change that.

From the founding almost 20 years ago of Mikron Tool SA, Agno, Switzerland, with a six-page brochure, the company has grown to today's 600-page catalog. In this time, Mikron Tool has morphed from a supplier of special cutting tools for transfer machines to a globally present tool manufacturer. The company's range of standardized tools includes more than 2,600 items, which now are included in a "tool book" for end users.

July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $170.95 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR) collaboration, was down 8.4% from June’s $186.57 million and up 16.0% when compared with the total of $147.43 million reported for July 2016. With a year-to-date total of $1.266 billion, 2017 is up 7.1% when compared with 2016.

The first day of Makino Corp.’s two-day 2017 Die/Mold Technology Expo included technology seminars, economic prognosticators, and demonstrations on more than 23 state-of-the-art machines at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. The company also unveiled a new vertical machining center for true 5-axis continuous processing.

Are you having vibration or power consumption problems? The solution might be to change the cutter pitch. Learn how the pitch affects productivity, stability and power consumption.

Seco Tools, LLC has partnered with Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, Michigan, to offer local area engineering students an opportunity to participate in a multi-year internship program at Seco. The program invites the top three engineering applicants to participate for an initial first year internship. Based on their interest and performance, the students may be asked back for a second year. Graduates of the program will often be offered employment by Seco.

The CECIMO General Assembly that recently concluded in Rotterdam confirmed that, based on solid booking numbers, the European production of machine tool is set to grow by almost 4% in 2017 and surpass a volume of 25 billion euro. Members also agreed that policy-makers should refrain from designing strict regulations on access to and sharing industrial data. CECIMO is the European association representing the common interests of the Machine Tool Industries globally and at EU level.

Pinch grinding offers aggressive material-removal rates, excellent concentricity and low part runout when prepping cutting tool blanks.

MITGI has been honored as a finalist for a 2017 Community Impact Award from Minnesota Business magazine in the Youth Initiative category. This award category recognizes companies for creating or supporting programs designed to enable youth to develop abilities in areas such as leadership, social responsibility, skilled trades, education and community involvement.

Kyocera Group is exhibiting a range of newly developed metalworking tools at the Japan trade show JIMTOF 2016. These will include the new CA3 Series CVD coated carbide indexable cutting tool inserts for cast iron machining; the Magic Drill DRA, a high-performance modular drill; and the MFH Micro, a tiny-caliber high-feed cutting tool.

Emuge Corp. has announced the opening of a new technology center, located at the company’s North American headquarters in West Boylston, MA, USA. The center, designed to be a full-service resource for manufacturers to apply cutting tool application strategies, is equipped with the latest 3 and 5-axis vertical machining centers, precision measuring devices and tool monitoring, in addition to an interactive classroom for training and seminars. The technology center will serve customers across the U.S. and Canada, enabling manufacturing professionals to test cut their applications and develop milling, drilling, and threading strategies to optimize tool life and performance and reduce cycle times.

“Manufacturers who conduct a lot of machining know that the cost of productivity of a machining operation is inextricably connected to the selection of the cutting tool and the process for managing them,” writes GE Industry Analyst Andy Henderson in a GE Digital blog post. “In the utopian future, the manufacturing intelligence system will automatically control how cutting tools are used and automatically optimize the cost of machining operations.”

Scientific Cutting Tools (SCT), Simi Valley, Calif., has added the capability of coating its own cutting tools on premises in the form of a new coating machine from Platit which enables the coating of up to 500 tools in 4 hours.

It is a matter of course for manufacturers of rail and train components to ensure that quality products and services continue to be delivered to the industry every day. Increasing reliability through new tools, materials and machining techniques, as well as supporting productive and cost effective maintenance of existing infrastructure, is crucial.

Jarvis Cutting Tools is constructing a 500W AC solar panel array in front of its property in Rochester, N.H. Jarvis President Costikyan Jarvis said the solar project will help the company cut production costs and capitalize on incentives for producing solar energy, according to a report on fosters.com.

Indiana job shop cuts insert costs in half and triples tool life with Beyond Evolution grooving and cut-off tools, according to a case study submitted by Kennametal Inc.

For most manufacturers, the productivity of their CNC equipment can be measured in fractions of seconds when it comes to things like cutting or grinding cycle times and the intervals between tool changes. The performance of the spindle—the workhorse of the CNC machine—has a dramatic impact on that productivity.

March billings among 40 U.S. cutting tool companies increased 5.7 percent over February and 15.4 percent over January, according to a recent report from the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), which surveys U.S. cutting tool companies each month for USCTI's Current Business Report. Total billings in March reached nearly $166 million, compared to nearly $157 million in February and nearly $144 million in January.

NanoMech announced that it has secured $10 million in capital for leading its Series C Financing round from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the corporate venturing subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s national oil company. This capital infusion and new global customer relationship with the largest producer of oil in the world will significantly accelerate NanoMech’s manufacturing of the most advanced nanoengineered and nanomanufactured lubricants, coatings and specialty chemicals, addressing major industries such as energy, transportation, aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, racing, agricultural equipment and military.

In an effort to expand its reach within the aerospace industry, OSG USA Inc. has purchased Amamco Tool & Supply Co. Inc., an ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C registered company that makes high-quality, custom, carbide tools for manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries, according to an OSG USA news release issued today.

BENZ Inc., Charlotte, N.C., today announced it will be holding a Heavy Metal Sale to commemorate the company’s upcoming expansion and relocation from Charlotte to Hickory, N.C. During the promotional period through Feb. 19, BENZ will offer 25 percent off select live tools, Solidifx Modular Quick Change Systems and angle heads.

Briney Tooling Systems, Bad Axe, Mich., recently worked closely with a leading medical manufacturer to develop a special HSK50E balanceable grinding wheel arbor for a precision CNC grinding machine producing shaped bone fragments for surgical grafting, according to a company news release issued Jan. 19.

The Gleason Corp. early this month announced the acquistion of the gear cutting tools business from Hurth Infer Indústria de Máquinas e Ferramentas Ltda., located in Sorocaba, Brazil. Now known as Gleason Indústria de Ferramentas Ltda., the gear cutting tools business includes shaving cutters, shaper cutters, chamfering and deburring tools, as well as tool sharpening services for such products.

Cutting tool maker SGS Tool Co., Munroe Falls, Ohio, recently signed a licensing agreement with Haimer GmbH, Igenhausen, Germany, for the tool holding company's HAIMER Safe-Lock System, according to a recent news release. SGS Tool, a market leader for solid carbide end mills in North America, has begun offering their high quality cutting tools with the HAIMER Safe-Lock System. The unique Safe-Lock design in cutting tools and tool holders combines high-precision, shrink-fit clamping with a positive form locking mechanism.

OSG USA Inc., a manufacturer of taps, drills, end mills, dies and indexable cutting tools, recently acquired the assets and proprietary manufacturing technology of IMU Dies. Effective immediately, OSG becomes the exclusive source for IMU branded dies globally.

When the Fullerton Tool Co., Saginaw, Mich., says it is "a growing industry leader in quality solid carbide cutting tools," the claim isn't just poetic prose from a public relations agency. The privately owned business, which has been located in Saginaw for almost 75 years, recently opened a second plant—Fullerton West—located in Thomas Township in the Great Lakes Technology Park.

Industrial material handling equipment manufacturer PRAB Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich., has completed its purchase of Puckmaster Co., manufacturers of briquetting machines for metal compression and coolant collection. 

Earlier this summer Fastenal installed an additional FAST Solutions industrial vending machine within the Terex Mixer manufacturing plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Given how many vending devices (machines and lockers) Fastenal installs during a typical business day, it was a commonplace event — except in one regard: that particular machine represented the 50,000th FAST Solutions device concurrently installed at Fastenal customer sites worldwide. 

Machine tool builder Okuma America Corp. has launched a new web-based machine selector tool at okuma.com/machine-selector. The tool is designed to take the guesswork out of selecting a machine by providing users with a convenient method of finding the Okuma machine tool that best suits their specific manufacturing needs, according to the company.

Machine tool supplier Methods Machine Tool, Inc., Sudbury, Mass., has expanded its Southern California operation, increasing the number of sales/application engineering and service personnel by eight and offering a full range of machine tool solutions from all of Methods' partner brands. In addition, Robert Serrano has been added to the leadership team as sales manager, bringing 25 years of machine tool experience to the position. 

Ceratizit SA has acquired German solid carbide toolmaker Klenk GmbH & Co. KG, augmenting the Ceratizit Group's product portfolio with custom solutions for solid-carbide round tools, according to the company. With the addition of Klenk, the Ceratizit Group aims to further strengthen its position in the solid-carbide tool market, according to Thierry Wolter of the Ceratizit Group's executive board. "It is our aim to be perceived as a global premium player for all cutting tools," he said.  

Toolmaker SGS Tool Co., Munroe Falls, Ohio, has completed and held a grand opening of its new 76,000 sq. ft. endmill facility in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The new plant was constructed next to the company's existing manufacturing facilities and creates increased toolmaking capacity.

MSC Industrial Supply Co., Melville, N.Y., a distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services, is expanding its portfolio of metalworking products from Accupro, Davidson, N.C. The new line adds more than 3,000 new precision-engineered metalworking tools to the existing 20,000 Accupro products MSC currently offers. 

Intrepid Tool Industries, Surprise, Ariz., has released its new 2015/2016 full-line catalog, showing the company's current offering of drills, reamers and countersinks for machining composites, aluminum, titanium and other aerospace materials. Additions include a new series of "W" point drills, combination drill/countersinks, porting tools with through-tool coolant holes and a full line of PCD drills and countersinks. For more information, call (800) 998-6565 or visit www.intrepidtool.com. 

KAISER Precision Tooling Ltd., Rümlang, Switzerland, reports that it has strengthened its long-term partnership, BIG Daishowa Seiki Co. Ltd., Japan, by agreeing to be acquired by the BIG Daishowa group as of April 15. KAISER Precision Tooling, a supplier of modular boring tools, and BIG Daishowa Seiki, a producer of toolholders and measurement devices, have had a technology and distribution partnership since 1980.

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling, Hoffman Estates, Ill., has enhanced its BIG Profit Maker, KAISER and Unilock repair services by bringing services in-house that, until recently, were performed overseas. The company is also eliminating charges for some commodity parts, as well as offering same-day services.

Azure MicroDynamics Inc., Lake Forest, Calif., is a manufacturing, machining and assembly facility specializing in small and micro components with tolerances as tight as 0.0002" for medical devices and other products. Incorporating micromachining processes that include multi-axis milling and turning, Azure is capable of producing low-volume prototype quantities as well as high-volume production, according to the company. 

Tungaloy Corp. completed an additional production building at its headquarters in Iwaki, Japan. The new facility is added on to the existing manufacturing complex, which opened in 2011, and will help meet growing demand for cemented carbide inserts, milling tools, and indexable drills, according to the company.

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., is hosting the Golden Corridor Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) Open House on April 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. An event directed toward area students and parents, it will explain what advanced manufacturing means in today's economy. The agenda includes presentations, technology demonstrations and opportunities to talk to college representatives and professionals in the field. 

Toolmaker Dormer Pramet's new line of indexable tooling, including internal and external turning, milling cutters and indexable drills with carbide inserts, becomes available to North American customers April 1 following the publication of a new catalog featuring the Pramet- tool line, consisting of turning, milling and drilling inserts and holders.

Harvey Tool announced the release of its 30th Anniversary Spring 2015 Catalog. The Rowley, Mass.-based toolmaker will introduce over 1,100 new tools, including eight new products in its variable helix, plastic cutting, undercutting, chamfering and thread milling lines. In addition, new sizes and coating options have been added to over 40 different products, according to the company. 

Toolmaker OSG USA, INC., Glendale Heights, Ill, has introduced the OSG PHOENIX® Vol.4 catalog in print and digital versions. The catalog is over 150 pages and features new products and expansions to existing lines of indexable milling and drilling products. Notable additions to the milling lineup includes 45° face milling cutters, screw fit endmills and replaceable head endmills. Indexable drills and replaceable head drills have been added to the drilling offering.  

Industrial distributor Fastenal, Winona, Minn., has partnered with The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) to provide maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) supplies to government entities nationwide. TCPN's lead government agency, Region 4 Education Service Center, uses a competitive solicitation process consistent with applicable procurement laws and regulations.  

Toolmaker NAP GLADU has expanded its diamond cutting tool servicing capabilities with the installation of additional equipment at its Statesville, N.C., service center, serving North Carolina and surrounding states. "This expansion improves our ability to provide our customers fast, high-quality sharpening and repair service on their diamond cutting tools," said Glenn McClain, service center manager, east. "Adding equipment and investing in jobs at our Statesville center reinforces our commitment to fast turnaround times and the local community." 

FLP Tooling's Applitec brand has launched its 2015-2017 product catalog with three new product lines added: Top-Watch, Trio-Line and Micro-Line. Top-Watch is a line of inserts and holders for micro machining ultrasmall parts, developed in collaboration with Swiss watchmakers. The Trio-Line boasts 3-sided inserts, including a set of grooving inserts for circlips, adhering to DIN 6799 and DIN 471 standards.