Industry Trends & Analysis

As the cost of tungsten rapidly rises, cutting tool manufacturers focus on developing inserts that reduce carbide consumption while boosting productivity. By Alan Richter Like so many other commodities, the price of tungsten ammonium paratungstate (APT), which is used to make carbide cutting tools, has moved in only one direction: up — way up.

Tungaloy says it is advancing its digital tooling solutions with new Drawing Generators and Cost Savings Calculators that were designed to help users move faster, quote smarter, and prove value with confidence. The company says its latest Drawing Generators make it easy to configure and generate accurate drawings for applications—with no delays, no guesswork.

Precision in today’s machining environment isn’t just about holding tighter tolerances, it’s about recognizing the larger picture — the full process, from material behavior to tooling strategy to how parts ultimately perform in the real world.

The line between editorial and advertising has never been under more pressure — and history shows what happens when it disappears.

With the onset of rising tungsten prices and raw material scarcity, manufacturers are left searching for new lifecycle strategies to continue managing production effectively. Tungaloy is addressing these challenges through solutions that reduce carbide consumption while preserving quality in the machining process and helping manufacturers stay competitive.

Manufacturers grow stronger when financing and sales work as one—aligned cash flow, structured sales processes and flexible funding create predictable growth.

Toolmakers face rising costs, tariffs and uneven demand, yet the industry stands firm—bracing for challenges while maintaining resilience into 2026.

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $204.1 million in June 2025, declining 1.8% from May 2025 and 3.9% from June 2024. Year-to-date shipments totaled $1.23 billion, a drop of 4.9% from the same period in 2024.

Swiss-style machining guide: When to use guide bushings, alternatives, automation, and bushing selection tips.

CTE Publisher works with industry leaders Harry Moser, Terry Iverson and Roy Sweatman to explore the critical need to change the public's perception of manufacturing and the role of workforce development in the manufacturing industry's health and future, particularly in addressing the skilled labor shortage and how it may impact the reshoring efforts.

With our March issue overflowing with content, we included teasers in the Table of Contents for online access to the Lead Angle and Industry News section.

EMUGE-FRANKEN precision workholding product manager emphasizes tighter tolerances and complex geometries in Q&A about evolving manufacturing challenges.