hp tooling 2026-#2

ISSN 2628-5444 

high precision tooling 

Machine Tools, PCD, PVD, CVD, CBN, Hard Metal 2026 – 2 

■ Overcome titanium machining challenges ■ How super-hard cutting materials revolutionized machining ■ 

■ Gear cutting and grinding from a single source ■ Ultra-fine and high-purity cleaning ■

Stop long Chips 

»IC-plus« world´s best (pat.) 

chipbreaker 

GrindingHub Stuttgart 

Hall 7 · Booth C56 

...a must have for turning aluminium 

® 

® 

tradition. passion. innovation. since 1922 

office@lach-diamant.de · www.lach-diamant.de

editorial 

Eric Schäfer 

editor-in-chief 

There’s more to it than that! 

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest 

difference. It doesn’t always have to be “the next big 

thing.” This becomes clear when you look at the new 

product announcements in the run-up to a trade show 

like GrindingHub. Minor changes here and there can 

lead to amazing results. This can be achieved through 

the use of automation or AI, optimized coolant usage, 

or improved coatings. By tweaking the right parameters, 

surprising improvements in efficiency and productivity 

can be achieved. 

can help to achieve optimal results in specific machining 

processes. It may be precisely such a practical tip, this 

redesigned tool, that further-developed spindle, or 

this new seamless in-process measurement that helps 

you to further optimize your own machining process. 

In short, every reader can find inspiration here. It’s often 

worth making small adjustments to the right parameters 

to increase efficiency, productivity, and sustainability — 

and thereby get the most out of a machining process. A 

trade journal like “hp tooling” simply has more to offer. 

Visitors to GrindingHub in Stuttgart can look forward to 

seeing such examples for themselves and, of course, they 

can also find them in advance in the following pages of 

our trade magazine. 

We also feature numerous user reports detailing the impact 

of design enhancements in machine tools or minor tool 

modifications on daily operations, and how these changes 

Eric Schäfer 

editor-in-chief

table of contents 

cover story 

The perfect fitting with diamonds 6 

materials & tools 

Quality in CFRP milling increases with manufacturing demands 8 

Precision solutions for metalworking 12 

Overcome titanium machining challenge through carbide tool blank design 

written by Eduardo Favila 14 

How super-hard cutting materials revolutionized machining 18 

Edge quality without compromise 20 

processes 

Gear cutting and grinding from a single source 27 

Strategic aircraft component with all the trimmings 28 

Micrometer in the fiber optic connector 30 

machining center 

Increasing efficiency in tool machining with automation and AI 32 

Kellenberger expands its grinding portfolio in the entry-level segment 34 

Universal grinding machines for precision manufacturing tasks 36 

Size matters… 40 

Innovative manufacturing of ultra-hard tools 42 

components 

Engineered for governed constant high speeds, ultra-precision and reliability accelerating 

advanced CNC machining applications 43 

Ultra-fine and high-purity cleaning 46 

A new generation of oil mist separators designed for the machining industry 48 

Introducing cloud-powered tooling integration to accelerate mould & die machining and 

standardize workflows 49 

news & facts 21 

fairs 5, 25 

impressum & company finder 51 

4 no. 2, 2026 April

fairs in alphabetical order 

AMB Stuttgart, Germany 

(September 15-19, 2026) 

bauma Shanghai, China 

(November 24-27, 2026) 

CCMT Beijing, China 

(April 21-25, 2026) 

EPHJ Geneva, Switzerland 

(June 16-19, 2026) 

FABTECH Toronto, Canada 

(June 9-11, 2026) 

current status 

2026 





FEIMEC Sao Paulo, Brazil 

(May 5-9, 2026) 

FILTECH Cologne, Germany 

(June 30-July 2, 2026) 

glasstec Düsseldorf, Germany 

(October 20-23, 2026) 

GrindingHub Stuttgart, Germany 

(May 5-8, 2026) 

Hannover fair Hanover, Germany 


HIMTEX Hyderabat, India 

(August 20-24, 2026) 

IMTS Chicago, USA 

(September 14-19, 2026) 

JIMTOF Tokyo, Japan 


MACH-TECH and Budapest, Hungary 

INDUSTRY DAYS (May 18-21, 2026) 

METALEX Bangkok, Thailand 


MSV Brno, Czech Republic 


SIAMS Moutier, Switzerland 


SIMTOS Seoul, South Korea 


sps Nuremberg, Germany 


Stone+tec Nuremberg, Germany 

(Juni 17-20, 2026) 

Surface Stuttgart, Germany 

Technology (May 5-7, 2026) 

TIMTOS Taipei, Taiwan 

(March 2-7, 2027) 

















2027 

trade fair dates as by end of March 2026; we are not responsible for reliability of these dates 

no. 2, 2026 April 

5

cover story 

The perfect fitting with diamonds 

Designers, architects and discerning clients – when 

planning bathrooms or kitchens, they all place high 

demands on the taps installed. The design of the taps 

and shower heads must fit seamlessly into the overall 

interior design concept. The Belgian company RVB 

shows that not all taps are the same. 

The manufacturer produces its high-quality taps in Brussels, 

through which water flows every day worldwide. Production 

Manager Louis-Philippe Gillieaux relies on modern CNC machining 

centers and manual work in production. To ensure 

the high quality of his products, he relies on diamond tools 

from Paul Horn GmbH for high-gloss surfaces. 

“The quality of the surfaces is very important. It should 

be precisely cylindrical or, in the case of shallow fittings, 

perfectly flat. We can’t achieve this precision by polishing”, 

says Gillieaux. A polished surface plays and shines, but it is 

not flat. This is why polishing is not a geometrically precise 

manufacturing process, even if it is done by a machine. The 

best possible polishing results cost a lot of time and money. 

“Finding a good polisher is very difficult. It’s a job that not 

many people want to do because it’s very demanding”, says 

Gillieaux and continues: “To further increase the quality of 

our premium fittings, we coat these fitting parts with a layer 

of copper and nickel before chrome-plating or gold-plating, 

just like in the old days. This enhances the subsequent shine 

and color impression and improves the adhesion of gold and 

chrome to the brass base material, which contributes to an 

even longer service life of the fittings. Although polishing 

produces a high luster, it is not a geometrically precise processing 

method, as anyone who knows anything about 

polishing will tell you. Polishing away one µm too much on 

a geometric control surface on the brass part destroys the 

perfect impression of the subsequent mirror finish. These 

tiny geometric errors are particularly noticeable on rotationally 

symmetrical or flat mirror finish surfaces.” 

RVB: 

The engineer Gaston van Bastelaere founded the RVB company 

in 1935. In 1936 van Bastelaere patented his first inventions, 

including the FOR valve system. This ensures that the tap 

closes perfectly in 1/3 of a turn by preventing the seal from 

being squeezed. A small revolution even then. With numerous 

other developments and bold designs, the entrepreneur was 

often ahead of the trends in the tap industry. The shapes and 

functions of RVB taps are still contemporary today. 

In 2004 Alain Gillieaux bought the company and modernized 

it fundamentally. However, he always took care to retain the 

in-house expertise. Louis-Philippe Gillieaux continues the 

company with the same approach. 

The user does not need any special machines 

for the high-gloss turning process 

Monocrystalline diamonds 

For these reasons, Gillieaux and his team have been using 

MCD tools for over 15 years. When used, the monocrystalline 

diamonds produce surfaces that make subsequent polishing 

unnecessary. The switch to machine production not 

only resulted in a high increase in quality, but also in cost 

savings. “By using diamond tools, we have greatly reduced 

the cycle time”, explains Gillieaux. Before switching to the 

diamond tool systems from Horn, the team used tools on 

which the diamond was soldered directly onto the tool holder. 

Due to the cumbersome handling and the time-consuming 

servicing of the tools, they were looking for a modular tool 

solution. The arguments put forward by Horn technician 

Kees van Bers convinced Gillieaux and his team. 

Today, RVB relies on a wide range of Horn MCD tools. 

The high-caliber inserts are used on conventional CNC machines. 

“You don’t need special machines for milling and 

turning high-gloss surfaces. The quality is produced by 

the inserts”, explains van Bers. In addition to turning tools, 

Gillieaux also relies on MCD milling tools. “We were sceptical 

at first because of the high cost of the cutting tools, 

but the performance and results have now completely won 

us over”, says Gillieaux. When asked about the tool life of 

the tool systems, van Bers jokes: “With an infeed setting of 

around 0.02 mm in brass, the tool life is ‘eternal’. If an insert 

does become blunt, it can be re-polished up to 20 times – with 

the same ‘eternal’ tool life. The greatest danger for MCD 

tools is operator error.” 

The supreme discipline in machining 

High-polish machining with MCD is one of the supreme 

disciplines of metalcutting processes with geometrically 

defined inserts. Two hundredths of a millimeter of finishing 

allowance separate a very good surface from the perfect 


cover story 

High-polish milling produces perfect flatness and mirror 

like surface finishes in the nanometer range 

High-gloss turning of the outside diameter with an 

MCD-tipped ISO insert 

surface with a mirror finish. The range of applications is 

broad. The manufacturing process is used in numerous industries. 

In the jewelry industry, for example, the tools provide 

the shine in the production of visible parts of a highquality 

wristwatch and most wedding rings. In the production 

of mirrors for space telescopes, the almost perfect dimensional 

accuracy of the milled mirror surface guarantees 

a distortion-free view into space. Diamond-tipped tools were 

used in the manufacture of almost every visual aid, whether 

spectacles or contact lenses. Another possible application is in 

tool, model and mould making. Here, time-consuming and 

expensive polishing work can be saved. The list goes on, and 

these tool systems are firmly established, not least in the 

medical industry. 

The quality of the tool cutting edge plays a decisive role in 

producing surface finishes with a mirror finish. The quality 

of the cutting edge is reflected in the surface to be machined. 

The final inserts or polishing of the MCD cutting edge 

resembles craftsmanship. Similar to the cutting of a jewelry 

diamond, the finishing of a tool cutting edge for high-polish 

machining is done by hand using grinding pliers. Airbearing 

grinding tables with a solid granite table top provide 

A successful collaboration: 

Louis-Philippe Gillieaux (l.) in conversation with Kees van Bers 

Source: HORN/Sauermann 

optimum conditions for grinding the inserts. A microscope 

with 200x magnification is used for visual inspection. Under 

this magnification, the cutting edge must be absolutely free 

of nicks. The resulting insert has a maximum radius of 

0.0002 mm. Horn has developed a special grinding machine 

for grinding MCD ball nose end mills for high-polish machining 

of free surfaces, with which even the smallest radii 

can be reliably ground. 

Synthetic diamonds 

Horn relies on high-purity MCC diamonds to equip its MCD 

tools. These monocrystalline stones are created using the 

CVD process. Various gases, mainly methane, are used as a 

carbon source, which are deposited during the process and 

allow the diamond to grow. The diamonds are characterized 

by their crystal clear to, depending on their thickness, slightly 

brownish color. A major advantage of this process is the 

possible edge length of the stones. This means that even long 

tools with cutting edge lengths of 30 mm, for example, can 

be realized. Previously, natural diamonds had to be used for 

such tools, which are difficult to realize due to their high 

price, availability and natural inclusions. 

International designers 

The MCD inserts are used at RVB in over 50 different fitting 

parts. The design of the various series of fittings comes from 

international designers. “The design is the most important 

feature for successful competition”, says Gillieaux. To this 

end, RVB works closely with renowned artists. “The designers 

get in touch with us with their ideas. If they match our DNA 

and are technically feasible, we realise them in a series”, says 

Gillieaux. 

The partnership between RVB and Horn has existed for 

over 15 years. In addition to MCD tools, the team also relies 

on Horn tools for grooving and parting off. “No matter what 

requirement we contact Horn with, we are always presented 

with the appropriate solution for us. The service doesn’t stop 

after the sale. The Horn technicians keep at it until the production 

process runs perfectly”, says Gillieaux. 

further information: www.horn-group.com 


7


Quality in CFRP milling increases with 

manufacturing demands 

Greater process reliability and cost efficiency for aircraft construction: 

CemeCon and Hufschmied collaborate to design new tool 

When milling carbon fiber reinforced plastics, the 

aviation industry in particular demands maximum 

quality of the machined surfaces and the highest process 

reliability. Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme GmbH 

and CemeCon have been working together closely to 

set new standards for this important industry of the 

future. A jointly developed premium tool combines 

geometry, substrate and diamond coating to create an 

optimal solution. 

The machining of carbon fiber reinforced plastics, or CFRP 

for short, which are particularly advantageous for lightweight 

construction, is one of the greatest challenges in the 

machining industry. Even more demanding variants of these 

composite materials are used in aircraft construction. At the 

same time, there is an absolute focus on maximum component 

quality, which completely rules out compromises and 

demands the highest performance from the milling tools 

The diamond coating adapted for the new premium tool – 

shown here magnified 1,000 times – ensures a very uniform 

wear pattern and guarantees a clear, smooth cutting edge 

at a consistently high level throughout the 

entire service life of the tool 

being used. This is because the high-strength fibers must 

be cleanly divided, despite their different orientations within 

the matrix. Otherwise fiber protrusions or delaminations 

occur, which at least require time-consuming manual 

reworking. 

The manufacture of large aircraft parts, such as shells or 

segments for the fuselage, presents aircraft manufacturers 

and suppliers with a very specific problem: the wall thicknesses 

here often range from a few millimeters to several 

centimeters. Enormous transverse forces act on the milling 

tool at the transitions. In the worst case, it can break and 

fragments can get inside the component – resulting in costly 

production interruptions or even the loss of entire components. 

The use of copper mesh as lightning protection poses 

a further challenge during machining. The aim is to achieve 

a component edge that requires no reworking – without any 

copper protrusions. 

Jointly developed by Hufschmied and CemeCon, the new 

HEXACUT® 058 milling cutter impresses with maximum 

process reliability and outstanding service life when 

machining CFRP for aircraft construction 

These are precisely the challenges that development partners 

Hufschmied and CemeCon have set themselves. The 

Bavarian tool manufacturer and the coating specialist 

worked together to design a new milling tool that significantly 

increases process reliability in CFRP milling and 

at the same time extends its service life by more than 50 % 

compared to tools used in the same application. 



A structured path to the new premium tool 

“Our customers in the aviation industry repeatedly emphasize this in discussions: 

when machining components made of fiber-reinforced composites, process reliability 

is the top priority, as even the smallest component deviations can be very 

expensive. This has inspired us to develop a significantly improved solution to win 

over users in this field”, says Fabian Lindinger, head of application technology at 

Hufschmied. The foundation was laid for the groundbreaking HEXACUT® 058 

milling cutter specifically designed for CFRP aircraft components. 

On the way there, the existing tool geometry was first re-examined and revised 

at the Hufschmied development center near Augsburg, Germany. In addition to 

optimum process reliability, the new tool had to meet another requirement: the 

cutting quality had to be guaranteed over the period of use as long as possible. 

Perfect coordination of tool parameters 

The rest of the process showed how a strong partnership in innovative techno - 

logy can make all the difference: essential to achieving an ideal overall result was, 

of course, the customized coating, which was tailored to the tool geometry developed 

by Hufschmied and the innovative substrate. To this end, the coating experts 

at CemeCon specified a diamond coating material for the new tool, which already 

achieved absolutely outstanding quality in tests. “It was extremely fascinating 

to observe how the optimal pairing of carbide substrate and coating material 

gradually emerged”, recalls Javier Fuentes. The head of coating and cutting material 

development at Hufschmied emphasizes: “Through productive teamwork we 

were finally able to achieve a homogeneous wear pattern that allowed us to achieve 

a clear, smooth milling edge at a consistently high level throughout the entire tool 

life. And coating spalling or even tool breakage simply no longer occurred in the 

product tests.” 

Marco Furrer, sales manager at CemeCon, explains: “We specifically adapted the 

proven CemeCon coating material CCDia®AeroSpeed® for the new Hufschmied 

tool. This enabled us to achieve exceptional adhesion to the carbide selected by 

Hufschmied despite the high coating thickness. The impressive result: the new 

HEXACUT® 058 from Hufschmied offers users consistently high cutting quality, 

maximum process reliability, also due to substantially less vibration, and a significantly 

longer service life. 

Strong partners working on an equal footing 

The entire project benefited greatly from the professional cooperation between the 

parties involved, as the partnership between Hufschmied and CemeCon has long 

gone beyond a mere supplier-customer relationship. Working closely together they 

worked out important details such as edge preparation, cutting radii, layer thickness 

and layer architecture. “By combining our expertise, we were able to optimize 

all parameters until we had achieved a solution that was consistent in every respect”, 

explains Michael Woda, manager development diamant at CemeCon. 

The companies are also continuing to work together in the series production 

of the HEXACUT® 058. The premium milling cutters of the new type are coated 

at CemeCon’s headquarters in Würselen, in the world’s largest diamond coating 

center, and subjected to comprehensive quality control. Independently of this, 

Hufschmied rechecks relevant criteria, such as homogeneous layer thickness distribution 

– for end customers, this means additional process reliability. 

“This project, like our other collaborations with CemeCon, some of which have 

been going on for many years, makes an important contribution to establishing 

Hufschmied worldwide as a synonym for first-class machining solutions”, says 

managing director Christel Hufschmied, delighted with the development success. 

“The new diamond tool and the joint effort with CemeCon to bring it to industrial 

maturity are helping us to achieve our goals in the long term.“ 

further information: www.cemecon.de 

Tools cut better 

with TIGRA 

PCD 

PcBN 

Tungsten Carbide 

Customized 

Preforms 

PCD and PcBN 

Blanks and 

Segments 

Carbide Rods 

and Milling 

Cutter Blanks 

Carbide Inserts for 

tipping with PCD 

or PcBN 

www.tigra.com 

TIGRA GmbH 

Hall 9 D31 

TIGRA GmbH 

Gewerbering 2 

D-86698 Oberndorf a. Lech 

Tel +49 (0)9090 9680-01 

sales@tigra.de


Wide variety of carbide blanks, 

ultra-hard cutting materials and 

latest straightening and hammering technologies 

At GrindingHub 2026 (May 4–8) in Stuttgart, 

TIGRA GmbH will present its comprehensive portfolio 

of precision carbide blanks such as preforms, 

milling cutter blanks, carbide inserts, rods and flat 

bars, and ultra-hard cutting materials made of PCD. 

Modern flatness control and hammering systems for 

circular saw measuring and machining will also be 

presented for the first time. 

Precision preforms and milling cutter blanks 

One focus of the trade fair presentation is on customerspecific 

preforms, which TIGRA manufactures individually 

according to customer drawings. The blanks are pressed in 

application-specific carbide grades and formed close to the 

final contour, significantly reducing the amount of grinding 

and erosion effort required downstream. TIGRA produces 

preforms with variable diameters, integrated plate 

seats, functional surfaces and axial, radial and helical 

coolant holes. 

The preform production takes place on highly automated, 

partly self-developed production facilities with multi-stage 

quality controls and optical inspection. Modern CAD/CAM 

processes, CNC turning and milling, and application-specific 

carbide grades with optimized brazing, toughness and 

bending strength properties enable the economical manufacture 

of both individual pieces (batch size 1) and large 

series. The range of carbide milling cutter blanks includes 

rods in various lengths and diameters with different radial 

coolant exits. 

Rods and flat bars 

The preform range is complemented by a wide assortment of 

carbide rods and flat bars, which are characterized as follows: 

Numerous carbide solutions and ultra-hard cutting materials are the focus of GrindingHub 2026 



→ as-sintered and ground rods (h5) 

→ metric and inch dimensions 

→ rods with straight coolant holes, double helix 

coolant holes and preformed geometries 

→ in standard and application-specific carbide 

grades for machining graphite, aluminum, 

non-ferrous alloys and fiber-reinforced plastics, 

as well as for optimum machining of steels and 

non-ferrous alloys. 

→ very fine-grained, tough carbide grade with 

excellent properties for high-speed milling 

→ for machining MDF, chipboard, laminate, 

CFRP 

→ flat and square bars in various dimensions 

→ heavy alloy tool body blanks (TIGRAmet) 

in the most important dimensions 

Carbide inserts 

In the field of PCD tipping, TIGRA offers carbide 

inserts as blanks for positive and negative plates 

in a wide variety of types, shapes, angles, tolerances 

and dimensions – with and without plate 

seats. The carbide inserts are specifically designed 

for subsequent tipping with ultra-hard cutting 

materials. 

PCD for demanding applications 

In the field of ultra-hard cutting materials, TIGRA 

pre sents PCD as blanks and segments. The PCD 

materials are available in grades adapted to specific 

applications, including: 

New machine developments for 

circular saw production 

Another highlight of the trade fair presentation will be two newly 

developed machines, which TIGRA will present together with its 

Italian partner Novotic. The Q800 system is used for high-precision 

flatness control of circular saws and combines pneumatic 

clamping technology with high-resolution sensor technology, 

Siemens PLC control and 21” HMI including Novotic Tensoflat 

software for measurement data acquisition and report generation. 

The P800 expands the portfolio with a solution for flatness 

control including automated straightening hammering. The system 

features an electrically operated double hammer station, 

dual IO-link measurement sensors, AI-supported straightening 

functions and comprehensive modules for data acquisition, remote 

diagnosis and system integration. 

With this combination of high-precision preforms and other 

carbide blanks, ultra-hard cutting materials and modern testing 

and straightening systems, TIGRA is positioning itself as a system 

partner for the tool industry. The focus is on process stability, 

reproducibility, service life optimization and economical manufacturing 

concepts along the entire process chain. Trade visitors 

are invited to visit the TIGRA stand to discuss individual blank 

solutions, material strategies and integrated system solutions. You 

will find TIGRA’s booth in hall 9, booth D31. 

further information: www.tigra.com 

→ for super finishing and finishing 

→ aluminum alloys with low and 

high Si content 

→ universal applications 

→ MDF, chipboard, laminate, CFRP 

→ concrete, limestone and highly 

abrasive materials 

→ wear-intensive applications and 

grindable wear parts 

TIGRA’s quick service for laser-cut PCD segments 

enables production according to drawings within 

3-5 working days – with or without angles, cleaned, 

securely packaged and more cost-effective than 

traditional wire cutting methods. 

Carbide for woodworking 

As the global market leader for reversible knives 

and carbide blanks for profiling, TIGRA has been 

a technological partner to the woodworking industry 

for decades. Alongside its wide range of planer 

knives, the company offers optimized carbide solutions 

in a wide variety of dimensions and carbide 

grades for solid wood and abrasive composite materials 

in standard and special designs. Depending 

on the application, wear-resistant, fine-grained 

or particularly tough carbide grades are used. The 

portfolio is complemented by an extensive range of 

carbide saw tips and carbide for brazed cutters.


Precision solutions for metalworking 

SIMTEK Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH 

presented its latest innovations at BIEMH 

in Bilbao, one of the leading trade fairs 

for manufacturing and automation technology. 

Visitors could see an extended 

selection of 3D laser-cut chip form geo - 

metries, the versatile simmill 9W milling 

tool system and newly developed, lengthadjustable 

holders in addition to the 

tried-and-tested tool range. There was 

also a special focus on individual tool 

solutions for machining the smallest 

diameters. 

SIMTEK is setting new standards in chip 

control with its 3D lasered chip shape geometries. 

This technology not only increases process 

reliability, but also extends the service life 

of the tools. 

“The introduction of laser geometries 

marks an enormous advance in tool technology. 

It not only makes our tools sharper and 

more precise, but also enables them to reliably 

meet the requirements for chip control”, 

explains CEO Norbert Seifermann. 

At BIEMH, SIMTEK presented the simturn DX clamping holders – a versatile 

solution for the internal machining of small components; with their variable 

length adjustment and the friction-locked ME clamping system, 

they offer maximum stability and precision 

According to SIMTEK, the 3D lasered tools 

are ideal for applications in the automotive 

industry, medical technology and other sectors 

with high demands on precision and process 

stability. The number of customers using 

cutting tools with 3D laser geometries from 

SIMTEK has increased more than tenfold 

since 2019. 

simmill 9W - monoblock performance 

meets modular flexibility 

Another highlight is the simmill 9W tool 

family. It combines the precision and stability 

of monoblock tools with the flexibility and 

cost-effectiveness of modular systems. The 

system is particularly suitable for applications 

Grooving and longitudinal turning with a simturn TK2 cutting insert with 

a chip geometry ground in two directions produces whirling chips (left); 

these can wrap around the tool or the workpiece and lead to downtimes; 

the lasered version produces short chips that can be easily removed from 

the machining process, thus ensuring high process reliability 

The simmill 9W family, an innovative milling tool system that combines the 

flexibility of modular systems with the precision and stability of monoblock 

tools; the version on show has 12 teeth and is suitable for cutting depths of 

up to 16.5 mm – ideal for demanding industrial applications 


news & facts 

such as grooving, parting and slotting – for example in 

the automotive industry, in mechanical engineering and 

for demanding precision applications. 

“With the simmill 9W series we are closing the gap 

between classic, modular interchangeable tools and monoblock 

solutions”, explains Norbert Seifermann. 

Thanks to innovative toothing technology, the system 

guarantees maximum stability and precision – even with 

milling depths of up to 16.5 mm in the standard range, 

which is far beyond the capabilities of many other comparable 

tool solutions. With standard cutting widths 

from 0.5 mm to 6.0 mm and an integrated coolant supply, 

the series scores highly in terms of both efficiency 

and sustainability. In the individual area, the application 

possibilities in terms of diameters, widths and depths are 

even greater. 

Brings solutions 

to the surface. 

Stuttgart, 05-08/05/2026 

Length-adjustable holders for 

maximum flexibility 

The length-adjustable clamping holders and carrier tools 

presented at BIEMH are specially designed for small series 

production and individual requirements. Highlights 

include the simturn DX clamp holders with infinitely 

variable length adjustability and patented ME clamping 

principle, which offers high stability even with long overhang 

lengths. 

Thanks to their versatility, the length-adjustable 

holders are not only particularly economical and flexible 

to use, but also help to reduce the variety of tools 

required by users. 

The range covers a wide spectrum of applications: from 

machining small bores from Ø 4.7 mm with simturn AX 

carrier tools, to simturn DX carrier tools for bores 

from Ø 7.0 mm, to larger diameters from 10.5 mm with 

simturn PX systems. “With these products we enable 

our customers to reduce their tool inventories and still 

react flexibly to new production requirements”, emphasizes 

Norbert Seifermann. 

High-precision tools for small diameters and 

individual requirements 

A growing segment at SIMTEK is the development and 

production of tools for machining in the smallest diameters. 

The standard range already includes numerous tools 

from the simturn AX, simturn DX and simturn PX product 

families, which have been specially developed for this 

purpose. However, SIMTEK users are not restricted to 

the use of standard tools. With more than 10,000 individual 

tool concepts per year, SIMTEK offers customized 

tool solutions for small diameter applications. Thanks to 

many years of experience in the customization sector and 

the use of laser-cut chip geometries, users benefit from 

economically viable custom tools even for small batch 

sizes – regardless of whether they are based on existing 

standard tools or developed from scratch. 

Where everything revolves 

around grinding – and you! 

The leading trade fair 

for grinding technology. 

grindinghub.de 

further information: www.simtek.com 

In Zusammenarbeit mit 

In cooperation with 

Trägerschaft 

Sponsorship


Overcome titanium machining challenges 

through carbide tool blank design 

written by Eduardo Favila 

segment director, carbide rods, Hyperion Materials & Technologies 

Titanium’s strength and corrosion resistance make 

it ideal for applications in the aerospace, medical and 

chemical industries, but its low thermal conductivity 

complicates machining. Poor heat dissipation can 

lead to tool wear, thermal deformation and workpiece 

distortion, while the abrasive chips that titanium 

produces further increase heat and wear. 

In precision-focused industries like aerospace, well-designed 

coolant systems at the cutting edge are critical to enhance 

tool performance, extend tool life, improve in-cut precision, 

and maintain efficiency throughout the machining process. 

Toolmakers can achieve significant gains in tool life and 

precision by combining application-specific carbide rod 

blanks with appropriate coolant systems. Depending on the 

specific needs of the machining operation, toolmakers have 

a few choices: 

1. solid blanks and flood cooling for high-volume 

tooling at controlled costs 

2. standard coolant rods and through-tool cooling for 

high-precision and consistent cutting tools 

3. tailored coolant rods and through-tool cooling for 

top-performing tools in complex cutting applications 

For high-volume tooling at controlled costs 

For high-volume cutting operations where cost control is 

a priority, flood cooling is an effective method. Flood cooling 

involves continuously pouring a large volume of coolant 

over the cutting area. In these scenarios, tools can be made 

from standard solid carbide rods without coolant channels 

because the flood cooling system surrounds the cutting tool 

and reaches the cutting edges effectively. 

Using standard solid carbide rods with flood cooling has 

historically been a cost-effective solution for general machining 

needs. The flood cooling approach is best suited for applications 

where cutting tools are used in high volumes and 

changed frequently. However, flood cooling can be less efficient 

in deep or complex cuts where coolant penetration into 

the cutting zone is limited, potentially leading to early tool 

breakage. Traditionally, standard solid rods have worked well 

as a cost-conscious option because blanks have been readily 

available for fast fulfillment and quick delivery times. 

However, in today’s environment where the cost of carbide 

is rising rapidly because of the restricted supply of am - 

monium paratungstate (APT), one of the critical raw 

materials in carbide, toolmakers should consider higherperformance 

options that maximize the value of the carbide 

they are purchasing. 

Hyperion carbide rods – coolant channel assortment 



Hyperion carbide rods – specialty coolant channels 

For high-precision and consistent cutting tools 

For more complex cutting applications, a through-tool coolant 

system is recommended. Machining operations can vary 

from drilling deep holes in titanium turbine discs to long 

continuous milling of titanium compressor housings, engine 

blades and vanes. 

In a through-coolant tool, coolant is delivered through 

internal channels within the tool, exiting directly at the cutting 

edge. This method is highly efficient because it ensures 

coolant reaches the critical areas directly, thereby preventing 

overheating, tool wear and workpiece deformation. 

For toolmakers looking to enhance tool life and cutting 

performance without significant investment, leveraging standard 

coolant rods is an excellent starting point. Using drill 

blanks with one or two straight channels delivers an upgraded 

solution to solid rods by more effectively applying 

coolant to the cutting surface. Drill blanks with standard 

helical channels support even better performance by more 

effectively directing the coolant to the cutting edge and evacuating 

chips. End mill blanks with a central channel and 

multiple lateral exit holes around the cutting diameter allow 

for upgraded performance through the creation of a coolant 

curtain around the cutting edge that reduces temperature 

and stabilizes performance over extended milling periods. 

The direct delivery of coolant to the cutting zone mini mizes 

the risk of damaging the valuable workpiece or breaking a 

tool unexpectedly, which improves efficiency and reduces 

scrap overall. In more complex machining operations, these 

factors are even more critical. 

For top-performing tools in 

complex cutting applications 

For toolmakers aiming to outperform the competition and 

achieve superior performance in highly specialized cutting 

operations, designing coolant channels tailored to specific 

requirements is essential. Controlled wall thickness in these 

carbide rod blanks reduces the risk of tool breakage, further 

enhancing tool longevity. Precision engineering and tight 

blank tolerances provide higher quality to drills and end 

mills for deep hole drilling and deep pocket milling in titanium 

turbine discs or drilling large numbers of consistent 

holes in titanium engine casings. 

While using a custom-designed coolant channel carbide 

rod to develop a specialized carbide tool requires a greater 

initial investment, the benefits – much longer tool life, improved 

performance, reduced tool wear and increased 

precision – are worth considering. High-volume operations 

increase productivity and reduce tool consumption 

by achieving more cutting passes or holes drilled 

before replacement, which can pay for the higher cost of 

the tool many times over. Highly specialized operations 

often experience impressive performance gains, with easyto-measure 

factors like more parts made per tool and less 

downtime. 

For manufacturers, especially those that make their own 

specialized tooling, these benefits are undeniable. However, 

toolmakers also benefit from delivering premium specialized 

tools by winning market share and improving profit margins. 

Additionally, because specialized tooling reduces the risk of 

damaging titanium workpieces and improves cutting time, 

manufacturers and toolmakers alike can position themselves 

in high-performance industries and gain trust with 

key players. 

Choosing the right tool blank 

makes the difference 

Machining titanium presents unique challenges, primarily 

due to its low thermal conductivity and the generation of 

long, abrasive chips. To overcome these challenges, effective 

coolant systems and well-designed coolant channels 

in cutting tools are essential. By strategically selecting and 

designing carbide rod blanks with coolant holes, toolmakers 

can significantly enhance tool life, machining efficiency, 

and overall performance for the specific applications of their 

customers. 

Whether you are managing high-volume operations with 

standard carbide rods or developing custom-engineered solutions 

for highly specialized applications, the right coolant 

system and channel design can make a substantial difference. 

Hyperion Materials & Technologies offers a wide range of 

solid and coolant carbide rods and provides engineering 

expertise to deliver optimal solutions. 

further information: www.hyperionmt.com/carbide-rods 


15


Gear skiving made easy 

New digital engineering portal from LMT Fette revolutionizes skiving 

Skiving offers decisive advantages in terms of 

productivity, quality and efficiency, but it is one of the 

most demanding manufacturing processes. Tool specialist 

LMT Tools, known for its high level of innovation 

and consistent customer focus, is now simplifying 

the process with an engineering portal that provides 

targeted support, minimizes errors, saves time and ensures 

quality. 

The engineering portal combines over 100 years of gear cutting 

expertise with the possibilities of digitalization, ushering 

in a new era for the process. Skiving has never been so easy. 

Skiving is one of the most efficient methods for producing 

gear teeth. It combines flexibility with high productivity and 

offers clear advantages over conventional methods such as 

hobbing, gear shaping and broaching. Even complex internal 

gear teeth can be manufactured precisely in a very short time, 

and machining close to interfering contours or block tooth 

machining can also be carried out without any problems. Another 

plus: the kinematics can be mapped on many universal 

machines with the appropriate software, so special machines 

are not necessary. Several machining steps, such as turning, 

drilling, and even gear skiving, can be performed in a single 

clamping. In summary, this results in a number of benefits 

for the user: short machining times, reduced non-productive 

and setup times, long tool life, low tool costs, excellent surface 

quality and expanded application possibilities. 

Skiving is technically demanding 

However, despite these strengths, the process is not yet in 

widespread use. The reason: it requires precise interaction 

between the process, tool, and machine and is extremely demanding 

from a technical standpoint. This poses challenges 

for many users. “In skiving the tool is positioned at an angle 

to the axis of the workpiece being machined. The gear teeth 

are formed by this so-called axis cross angle in conjunction 

with a synchronous movement between the tool and 

LMT Fette's skiving 

wheels set standards in 

terms of machining time, 

manufacturing costs, component 

quality, tool life, and process reliability 

LMT Fette's gear cutting tools 

impress with their unique performance, 

high level of innovation, and unparalleled efficiency 

workpiece axes and an axial feed. It is a very precise and fast 

process, but complex to use”, explains Sascha Beblein, head 

of RD&E gear cutting at LMT Tools, adding: “Many of our 

customers would like to use skiving, but lack practical and 

process knowledge. We are now closing this gap. Our new 

digital engineering portal makes working with our tools 

noticeably easier and makes skiving usable for everyone.” 

LMT Tools: excellence meets innovation 

LMT Tools is one of the most renowned experts in the development 

and production of precision tools and has unique 

tool expertise, comprehensive technology and application experience, 

and a high level of vertical integration. All process 

steps are carried out in-house – from raw materials to the finished 

tool. This ensures quality, flexibility and cost efficiency. 

Customers appreciate the company’s forward-looking approach, 

holistic methodology and collaborative partnership. 

Powerful and reliable gear skiving wheels 

The group’s gear cutting specialist is LMT Fette, a subsidiary 

of LMT Tools. The company supplies high-performance, reliable 

tools for skiving, combining the latest research findings 

with proven application and manufacturing expertise. With 

their unique combination of excellent cutting edge preparation 

and individual process simulation, the skiving wheels set 

standards in terms of machining time, manufacturing costs, 

component quality, tool life and process reliability, guaranteeing 

maximum performance in the production of internal 

and external gears. Specially developed simulation software 

allows a detailed assessment of the relevant process parameters 

to be made during the design phase, considering the 

respective customer requirements, and provides valuable 

support on the way to safe and successful tool use. 

Digital assistance for self-help 

Each skiving wheel is unique: the cutting material, cutting 

geometry, coating and cutting edge preparation are precisely 

tailored to the component and the customer-specific process. 

Accordingly each tool is individually parameterized and calibrated 

on the machine. However, the complex adjustment and 

calibration processes are anything but trivial and regu larly 

cause even experienced users to ponder. A key problem is that 



if deviations occur in the measurement report –for example 

during initial commissioning, after prolonged use, or after regrinding 

this usually requires consultation with LMT Tools. 

That costs time. “As the manufacturer we know our tools best 

and know exactly what correction values are required in the 

event of deviations from the target value”, says André Bollow, 

head of the gear cutting product line at LMT Tools, making it 

clear: “With the new engineering portal we enable users now 

to analyze deviations independently and correct them immediately 

without having to forego our expertise – quickly, 

easily and without detours.” 

Complex in theory, simple in practice 

After entering the material and serial number (indicated on 

the tool) and the relevant measured values, the tool calculates 

the appropriate correction values in seconds and provides 

clear adjustment instructions, including for the cross 

angle and kappa angle – two key parameters in skiving. This 

transforms a complex correction process into a streamlined 

workflow. The application is deliberately designed to be simple 

and intuitive so that machine operators of all experience 

levels can use the digital engineering portal with confidence. 

This is groundbreaking considering the shortage of skilled 

workers and demographic change. 

A new standard 

The engineering portal is automatically available with every 

tool purchase and can be used immediately after a one-time 

online registration. Determining correction values for deviations 

from the target value is an essential function, but not 

the only one. Other features include the retrieval of cutting 

data, an overview of available tools, the provision of setting 

data sheets, drawings and tool information, as well as practical 

application aids. All information is accessible at any time 

and from any device – be it a PC, tablet, or smartphone. 

Gear skiving for everyone 

“Our motto ‘to ease machining’ is both a benchmark and 

a promise. We don’t just supply tools, we supply solutions”, 

Sascha Beblein sums it up, emphasizing: “We support our 

customers throughout the entire life cycle of our tools – from 

the initial idea to recycling – and are always available to assist 

them. With the new digital engineering portal we offer practical 

support and give users a decisive competitive edge.” The 

The envelope geometry shows the trajectory of the 

cutting edge during tool engagement 

Gear skiving is one of the most efficient 

methods for producing internal and external gear teeth; 

even when there are interfering contours at the gear tooth exit, 

as on this component, skiving can be used in many cases 

advantages are obvious: time savings thanks to immediately 

available correction values, autonomy thanks to independence 

from experts, higher gear quality thanks to precise 

parameterization and greater process reliability by minimizing 

sources of error. This leads to measurably higher productivity 

and lower unit costs. 

Gear skiving: an efficient process 

with a promising future 

There’s no question about it: roll forming is a process with a 

bright future. With its efficiency, high performance and wide 

range of applications, it offers great potential, especially in 

the manufacturing of internal gear teeth. A practical example 

illustrates its superiority in use: one customer relied on 

erosion to manufacture gears, which took six hours per component. 

After switching to roll peeling, the process step was 

reduced to 1.5 minutes – an enormous time saving. This 

increase in efficiency is invaluable, especially against the 

backdrop of rising demand for hollow wheels with internal 

gear teeth for electromobility. 

Digitally simple. Simply digital 

With its engineering portal LMT Tools is breaking new 

ground and making it easier to access skiving. This innovative 

tool simplifies the use of this complex technology and 

combines expertise, data and support in a single solution. It is 

the only one of its kind in the world. “Customer and market 

requirements are key drivers of innovation for us. Digitalization 

plays a key role in this”, says André Bollow, adding: “We 

see ourselves as partners to our customers and want to make 

working with our products as easy and efficient as possible. 

The customer experience platform is the next logical step: 

it makes our tool and process expertise digitally accessible 

and opens up skiving to many users.” 

Currently the engineering portal focuses primarily on 

skiving but also includes other tool families. ChamferCut 

and hobs are already integrated, with additional tools and 

services to follow gradually. 

further information: www.lmt-tools.com 


17


PCD – for more than 50 years available for the cutting tool industry – 1973-2026 

How super-hard cutting materials revolutionized 

machining 

Horst Lach, CEO of LACH DIAMANT looks back: 

“When I received the first polycrystalline diamonds for testing 

from the manufacturer General Electric in April 1973, 

shortly before the Hanover spring tradeshow, I immediately 

gave them to our diamond cutting shop for natural diamonds. 

We wanted to find out how this material could be ground 

compared to natural diamonds.” 

The answer did not take long. The head of our natural 

diamond cutters, Kurt Wagner (†), an excellent diamond 

expert, came to me and said: “Boss, we usually do everything 

for you, but this beastly material is impossible to cut, nothing 

works…” Just “poly” – or what?! Two more days until the start 

of the tradeshow. We wanted to present this PCD material 

under the trademarked name “dreborid” for turning interrupted 

cuts as a tradeshow novelty for aluminum processing. 

Someone had an idea regarding “poly” – actually, the diamond 

grit within a diamond grinding wheel is also “poly”. 

No sooner said than done. During grinding with a resin bond 

diamond grinding wheel, mounted on a small steel grinding 

machine, the first abrasion tracks or facets became visible. 

This was the initial demonstration of grinding a cutting-edge 

geometry on a polycrystalline diamond. 

PCD compact milling cutter with direct cooling 

(patented) through the diamond cutting edge 

for machining aluminum and fiber composites 

PCD tool program for manufacturing the wings for 

wind power systems, milling, drilling and cutting 

of glass fiber materials (GRP) 

PCD milling cutter for 

machining composite materials – 

GRP – CFRP – wood-based materials 



PCD chip breaker Type »IC-plus-world’s best« with active chip breaker for process-reliable turning of aluminum alloys 

In retrospect, this first presentation at the Hanover tradeshow 

in 1973 marked the beginning of a new era of cutting 

technology. The turbo was ignited. In 1975 cubic crystalline 

boron nitride (CBN) cutting materials complemented the 

program of super-hard cutting materials for machining highalloy 

hardened steel, starting from 58 HRC. Based on the success 

of Borazon® CBN grinding wheels since their premiere in 

1969, I personally had not anticipated compact boron nitride 

(CBN) inserts before PCD. 

The successful presentation of PCD-tipped saws and 

milling cutters for the manufacturing of glass fiber reinforced 

(GRP) circuit boards at productronica in 1977 in 

Munich showed LACH DIAMANT the limitations for a 

further distribution of PCD rotating tools. 

The polycrystalline diamond material available for us, 

had to be cut extensively, piece by piece, tooth by tooth. 25- 

30 min. per tooth were quite common, and it had to be with 

an accurate geometry. In addition the PCD manufacturers, 

like General Electric, had to elaborately segment the pressed 

PCD blanks by cutting off with diamond saws in order to be 

able to deliver 60 °, 90 ° cutting edges, rectangles or squares. 

Change, and the truly “sparkling” idea came from 

LACH DIAMANT 

At the end of 1978, Horst Lach filed a patent application for 

spark/electro erosion for machining and forming polycrystalline 

diamond and boron nitride. The second turbo was ignited. 

An up to 350 times longer tool life than that of previously 

used carbide tools convinced users all over the world. 

Whole industries began to compete in using diamond tools. 

Ahead of all, in the 1980’s, the wood and plastic industry, 

followed by the automobile and aviation industry. Using 

PCD tools was fashionable and – since highly economical 

– virtually a “MUST-HAVE.” 

At the next IMTS in Chicago/USA, September 14 - 19, 2026, 

LACH DIAMOND INC., Grand Rapids, Michigan, will showcase 

a complete portfolio of their polycrystalline diamond 

and CBN tools, developed in more than 50 years. 

Already today, a visit to www.lach-diamant.de will be 

worthwhile your time. 

further information: www.lach-diamant.de 


19


Edge quality without compromise 

Modern furniture fronts combine sophisticated 

design with high durability. High-gloss surfaces, glass 

laminates and decorative coated panels have become 

indispensable in industrial furniture production. At the 

same time these materials place the highest demands 

on machining: even the smallest chipping, damaged 

edges, or frayed protective films impair the visual appearance 

and often result in rework and increased 

scrap rates. With the Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert, 

Leitz offers a tooling solution specifically developed for 

these sensitive applications. 

The innovative concept of the Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert 

combines the strengths of a sizing cutter and a jointing cutter 

in a single tool. This results in exceptionally high edge quality 

already during the sizing process – a decisive advantage, as 

perfect results are achieved in the very first machining step. 

Perfect cut edges on all common machine types 

The Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert produces chip-free cut edges 

on console machines, nesting machines and panel dividing 

saws – even with demanding surfaces and high-quality top 

layers. Especially in serial production, this significantly increases 

process reliability. The protective film is cut cleanly 

without fraying. Downstream operations can be carried out 

without additional corrections. 

A key quality factor is the precisely coordinated tool geometry. 

The axial angles are specifically adapted to the different 

material zones: a higher axial angle in the area of the 

top layers improves cut quality and minimizes tear-out, while 

a lower axial angle in the core layer optimizes chip evacuation. 

At the same time only minimal pressure is exerted on 

the core layer, preventing compression and preserving the 

structural integrity of the material. Large chip gullets ensure 

reliable chip removal, even at high feed speeds. 

The 

Diamaster 

PRO EdgeExpert 

combines a sizing cutter 

and a jointing cutter in a 

single tool, delivering exceptionally 

high edge quality already during the sizing process; 

for perfect surfaces without tear-out –even on the most 

demanding materials 

Higher feed rates, less rework 

The Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert enables feed speeds of up to 

25 m/min. This noticeably reduces cycle times and increases 

efficiency in the production process. Less rework and lower 

scrap rates further enhance cost-effectiveness. The diamondtipped 

tool also sets benchmarks in terms of service life. It 

can be resharpened up to three times and maintains its performance 

over extended operating periods. This makes the 

Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert a sustainable and economically 

sound investment for companies with the highest quality 

standards. 

The standard range includes two versions with a diameter 

of 12 mm and cutting lengths of 24 mm or 30 mm. The tool is 

ideally designed for panel thicknesses from 16 to 28 mm and 

offers maximum flexibility when machining a wide variety of 

furniture materials with high-quality surfaces. 

Optimized cutting geometry and generously dimensioned 

chip gullets enable high feed rates while maintaining 

excellent surface quality 

The Diamaster PRO EdgeExpert stands for perfect edges, 

maximum precision, and productivity that delivers measurable 

benefits directly in production. 

further information: www.leitz.org 


news & facts 

Change on the management board 

After more than 36 years with the LEUCO Group, 

including nine years as CEO, Jean-Michel Peter retired 

at the end of February 2026. 

During his time with the company, he promoted the development 

of LEUCO with commitment, strategic vision, and 

a sense of responsibility. Under the management board 

LEUCO S.à.r.l. consolidated its position, expanded its expertise, 

and continued its dynamic innovation and growth. His 

leadership qualities, high professional standards and commitment 

to the company’s values have had a lasting impact 

on the team and partners. 

To ensure continuity and maintain this momentum 

Dr. Dominique Fendeleur took over the position of CEO 

on March 1, 2026. Dominique Fendeleur has been with the 

LEUCO Group since 1997 and has held various strategic 

positions, most recently as technical product director at 

LEUCO production S.à.r.l. His high level of expertise, 

detailed knowledge of the company, and forward-looking 

innovative strength make him the ideal person to meet the 

challenges and achieve the goals facing the Group. This transition 

is in line with the desire for continuity, stability and 

sustainable development of the business. 

Dominique Fendeleur (left) has been CEO of LEUCO S.à.r.l. since 

March 1, 2026, he succeeds Jean-Michel Peter, who is retiring 

after nine years as CEO and a 36-year career at LEUCO 

LEUCO S.à.r.l was founded in 1961 in Ostwald (France, 

near Strasbourg). Today LEUCO is one of France’s leading 

suppliers of new tools, grinding services and consulting 

in the field of tools for the wood and furniture industry. 

LEUCO S.a.r.l employs 80 people at its headquarters in 

Ostwald (département 67) and at its four grinding centers in 

Meyzieu (69), Ballan Miré (37), Vitrolles (13) and Ostwald 

further information: www.leuco.com 

Change in management 

A change in management is taking place at the British 

subsidiary of the Vollmer Group. After many successful 

years, Martyn Cross will step down from his role 

as managing director of VOLLMER UK Ltd in April 

2026 and retire. 

Martyn Cross has played a key role in shaping the development 

of VOLLMER UK and has significantly strengthened 

the company’s market position in Great Britain. Through his 

strong commitment, extensive expertise and close ties with 

the Vollmer Group, he has made a substantial contribution 

to the company’s success. The Vollmer Group would like to 

express its sincere thanks to Martyn Cross for his dedication 

and valuable work, and wishes him all the best, good health 

and many new personal projects in this new phase of life. 

In April 2026 Christopher Hellyer will assume the role of 

managing director of VOLLMER UK Ltd. After completing 

his apprenticeship, he began his professional career as a service 

technician before moving into sales, where he gained 

more than 33 years of extensive experience in senior sales 

management positions. He will take on his new responsibilities 

gradually and will work closely with Martyn Cross over 

the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. With his 

long-standing industry experience and in-depth market and 

sales knowledge, Christopher Hellyer brings excellent qualifications 

to continue the successful development of VOLLMER 

UK. The Vollmer Group considers itself well positioned for 

the future with this management change and looks forward 

Martyn Cross (right), outgoing managing director of 

VOLLMER UK Ltd, and his successor Christopher Hellyer, 

who will assume the role of managing director in April 

to continuing its successful collaboration with the team in 

Great Britain. 

“The years at VOLLMER UK have been a very special and 

enriching time for me. Together with a dedicated team and 

in close cooperation with the Vollmer Group, we were able 

to continuously develop and strengthen our market position 

in Great Britain. I am very grateful for the trust placed in me 

and the support I have received. I am confident that VOLLMER 

UK will continue to be successfully positioned under the 

leadership of Christopher Hellyer”, adds Martyn Cross. 

further information: www.vollmer-group.com 


21

news & facts 

Mitsubishi Materials appoints new president 

of the metalworking solutions division 

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation announces the 

appointment of Mirko Merlo as president of its 

Metalworking Solutions Division, effective from 

April 1 st , 2026. 

An accomplished executive with a strong track record in 

organizational transformation and value creation, Merlo will 

lead the division’s next phase of international expansion, 

focusing on high-growth and high-margin market segments. 

He succeeds Kazuo Ohara, who will retire after many years 

of dedicated service to the Group. 

In his previous role as chief strategy and sales officer of 

the Metalworking Solutions Company, Mirko Merlo played a 

pivotal role in modernizing the organization’s operating 

model. Under his leadership the company implemented major 

structural and operational improvements, including process 

optimization, integration of shared services and cost efficiency 

programs. These initiatives significantly strengthened the 

company’s resilience and long-term competitiveness. 

In his new position Merlo will oversee the continued international 

development in established and emerging markets. 

The division will continue to grow across Europe, Asia-Pacific 

and the Americas responding to increasingly sophisticated 

application requirements and growing sustainability expectations 

from customers worldwide. 

Commenting on his appointment, Mirko Merlo said: “Together 

with Moldino and Mitsubishi Materials Hardmetal, we 

will leverage our robust technical capabilities and profound 

customer relationships to deliver innovative, high-performance 

solutions. Our focus will be on supporting demanding 

applications with a comprehensive, reliable service portfolio 

that generates measurable value.” 

Tetsuya Tanaka, chief executive officer and president of 

Mitsubishi Materials, added: “Mirko Merlo’s strategic vision 

and collaborative leadership will be instrumental in advancing 

our internationalization strategy and strengthening our 

market position. His strong focus on operational discipline, 

customer value and sustainability supports both our shortterm 

priorities and long-term objectives.” 

This leadership transition reflects Mitsubishi Materials’ 

commitment to developing a resilient, more customer-centric 

organization capable of delivering high-impact technologies 

and services across global markets. 

further information: www.mmc-carbide.com 

New director of global key account management 

at MAPAL Group 

Recently Mark Lich assumed the role of director global 

key account management, taking over the leadership 

of this newly established department with the same 

name. 

He is responsible for the strategic and operational management 

of sales activities and results for MAPAL’s global key 

accounts. Lich reports directly to the chief sales officer of the 

MAPAL Group, Claudio Gabos. 

Mark Lich joined the company at the end of 2013 and 

has extensive experience in various sales roles at MAPAL. 

Among other roles, he has served as regional sales manager 

in Southern Germany and managed global strategic sales 

projects. 

Since January 2023 he has headed the sales management 

office (SMO), which is responsible for steering and supporting 

global growth and efficiency goals within strategic sales 

management. He will continue to fulfil this role alongside his 

other responsibilities. 

further information: www.mapal.com 


news & facts 

STUDER reports positive results 

for the 2025 financial year 

The Swiss technology company for precision cylindrical 

grinding machines was able to strengthen its 

global market position despite the challenging geopolitical 

situation, expand its portfolio with innovative 

new products, develop its customer care further 

and invest several million Euros in infrastructure. 

Fritz Studer AG’s annual press conference took place in 

Steffisburg in front of international media representatives 

under the motto “Swiss Made”. “The year 2025 was marked 

by challenging markets and geopolitical uncertainties. 

Nevertheless we exceeded our expectations and emerged 

from this phase stronger than ever”, said CEO Sandro 

Bottazzo. Despite complex global conditions, the Swiss technology 

company was able to strengthen its market position 

worldwide, expand its portfolio with important innovations 

and further increase its operational efficiency. Particularly 

pleasing was the excellent market response to the new S23 

universal cylindrical grinding machines and the latest generation 

of favoritCNC. In customer care, the long-established 

manufacturer even achieved record sales in paid 

service and maintenance. 

STUDER maintains and expands market share 

worldwide 

Total sales were slightly below the previous year’s level but 

exceeded expectations thanks to a strong year-end performance. 

Thanks to its excellent market positioning, STUDER 

achieved good sales in North America despite customs 

challenges. The result in Asia was also positive and above 

the previous year’s level, especially in China. STUDER 

also exceeded the previous year’s level in terms of machine 

orders received. The high proportion of new customers, at 

44 %, was also encouraging. Orders from North America, 

Asia, and European countries such as France, Czechia and 

Denmark in particular supported this result. 

Germany, Italy and Switzerland, on the other hand, fell 

short of expectations. Overall, however, market share was 

maintained or expanded in all regions of the world. The 

customer care segment performed very well. “Thanks to 

our global, customer-focused service organization, we were 

able to set new sales records in the service and maintenance 

business areas,” explained Bottazzo. In many markets, over 

70 % of the active installed base has a maintenance contract 

now. In the area of machine overhauls, the year ended 

with one of the best order backlogs in the company’s 114-year 

history. 

STUDER is very well positioned 

in the aerospace industry 

The aerospace segment delivered another record. It closed as 

the largest single segment for the first time, accounting for 

Stephan Stoll – COO, Sandro Bottazzo – CEO, 

Daniel Huber – CTO (from left to right) 

almost a third of all orders. Other important categories were 

precision engineering, machine tools and the automotive 

industry. “Our broad portfolio remains a pillar of success 

and covers a wide range of universal cylindrical grinding applications”, 

emphasized Bottazzo. The best-selling machine 

was the S33, followed by the S31 and the S41. External and 

machines for internal cylindrical grinding also both performed 

well. The S141 even achieved one of the best sales 

results of the last ten years. 

An additional event in 2025 was the acquisition of 

GF Machining Solutions by the UNITED GRINDING Group, 

which now operates under the name UNITED 

MACHINING SOLUTIONS. With total sales of over USD 

1.5 billion and around 5,000 employees at over 50 locations, 

the group is one of the largest machine tool manufacturers 

in the world. As part of the acquisition the STUDER 

Competence Center for internal cylindrical grinding moved 

to the modern premises of UNITED MACHINING at 

Roger-Federer-Allee 7 in Biel (Switzerland), just a few minutes 

away from its previous location. 

STUDER expects the economy to pick up in 2026 

In the third and especially in the fourth quarter, STUDER 

recorded a significant increase in the number of sold 

machines, which, from today’s perspective, is set to continue 

in 2026. Consequently the company expects a further 

increase for the current fiscal year. 

further information: www.studer.com 


23

news & facts 

New center for applications and 

assembly of drive systems 

Motion control specialist Aerotech is significantly expanding 

its capacity at its Fürth site. In addition to 

setting up a state-of-the-art laser laboratory, controls 

components will also be assembled there in the future. 

With this expansion, the company is responding to the growing 

global demand for its high-precision positioning and 

automation solutions while also strengthening its delivery 

capabilities in Europe. 

The first phase of the expansion will focus on the assembly 

and testing of XA4 series servo drives and motion controllers. 

The additional capacity is intended to create greater flexibility 

in production, help stabilize supply chains and further 

increase product availability in European markets. 

“With the expansion of our site in Fürth we are investing 

specifically in growth, customer proximity and operational 

flexibility”, explains David Holmes, COO of Aerotech Inc. 

“By assembling drives locally we are accelerating our market 

response and scaling production while maintaining our 

high quality standards.” 

The building in Fürth was designed in 2016 to support 

future growth. The current initiative is therefore part of 

Aerotech’s long-term investment strategy to systematically 

develop and strengthen its European location. 

Laser laboratory as a European center of excellence 

In parallel with the expansion of its assembly capacities, 

Aerotech is commissioning a new laser laboratory for applications 

in laser material processing. In order to not only 

Initial assembly workstations ensure fast delivery 

of Aerotech drives to the European market 

be able to design processes theoretically, but also to verify 

them in interaction with real systems, Aerotech is creating 

the appropriate environment in Fürth, thereby significantly 

facilitating cooperation with customers and interested parties. 

Customers from all over Europe will have the opportunity 

to test and optimize laser-based manufacturing processes 

under realistic conditions and develop them further 

in collaboration with Aerotech. In the long term, the laboratory 

will serve as a European center of excellence for micro 

and precision material processing. 

further information: www.aerotech.com 

VIGEL to announce the acquisition of MCM 

On January 30 th , 2026, VIGEL S.p.A. (Borgaro Torinese, 

TO) and MCM S.p.A. (Vigolzone, PC) announced 

that the transfer of ownership of the MCM S.p.A. to 

MCM Manufacturing Technologies S.r.l., a subsidiary 

of the GENFIN holding , which also controls VIGEL 

S.p.A., was completed. 

Both Vigel and MCM are recognized as players of excellence 

in the manufacturing technologies sector, the acquisition 

supports the long-term vision of building a strong and diversified 

organization focused on advanced machining 

solutions for the global industry. 

VIGEL SpA is a company founded in 1947 in Torino and 

still owned by the founder’s family. VIGEL was one of the 

pioneers in the design and manufacture of multi-spindle 

machining centers and is now a multinational company with 

factories in Italy (Turin), India and China, and branches in 

Europe, the United States, Mexico, India, China and Korea. 

MCM Manufacturing Technologies S.r.l.Vigolzone, PC 

In addition to machining centers, VIGEL’s product range 

also includes vertical lathes and special machine tools for 

the automotive industry. 


fairs 

news & facts 

MCM SpA is a company founded in 1978 in Piacenza, 

specializing in the design and manufacture of horizontal 

machining centers and flexible production systems that 

operate through supervision software developed by its own 

IT division. MCM’s mechanical processing technologies are 

applied to a wide range of industrial sectors, with a focus 

on aerospace. 

The acquisition strengthens the ability to offer a wider 

range of products and technologies, diversify the market 

of reference and build up strategies which will reinforce the 

synergies between the two companies as sales, product’s 

development, manufacturing, procurement as well reinforce 

the presence and closeness to our today even wider and 

diversified customer base. 

further information: www.vigel.com 

Vigel S.p.A., sede Borgaro Torinese, TO 

Strong international presence 

at GrindingHub 

With over 430 exhibitors from 28 countries, the worldleading 

trade fair, taking place from May 5-8, 2026, in 

Stuttgart is once again sending out a powerful message 

to the industry: despite falling production and export 

figures, grinding technology remains highly innovative, 

and GrindingHub is positioning itself as the 

central platform for the industry. 

Industry caught between decline and innovation 

The economic conditions remain challenging, as recent statistics 

show. German production of grinding, honing, lapping 

and polishing machines reached € 626 million in the first 

three quarters of 2025 – down 15 % from the same period 

of the previous year. The downturn was particularly pronounced 

in exports, which fell by 25 % to € 456 million. In 

contrast, domestic sales developed positively, growing to 

a volume of € 170 million between January and September 

2025 – a 33 % increase. Incoming orders tapered off toward 

the end of 2025, with the annual balance closing with a 5 % 

deficit. The domestic market in particular was significantly 

weaker, whereas exports remained largely stable. “The numbers 

show clearly that the industry is navigating a challenging 

environment. Yet we are also seeing strong innovation 

momentum across many companies. In times like these the 

sector needs guidance, avenues for information sharing 

and tangible business opportunities – which is exactly what 

GrindingHub delivers”, says Dr. Markus Heering, executive 

director of VDW and organizer of GrindingHub. 

International participation continues at 

all-time high 

More than 430 exhibitors – from start-ups to global giants – 

have confirmed their booths at GrindingHub. Over three 

halls at Messe Stuttgart exhibitors from Germany, China, 

Switzerland and Italy in particular will present their innovations 

from every stage of the valued chain – from 

grinding machines and abrasives, process peripherals and 

software solutions, to measuring and testing technology. 

“GrindingHub is so much more than just a product show. It 

is the international stage for grinding technology and a place 

where partnerships are forged, investments are prepared and 

future technologies are set in motion”, emphasizes Heering. 

The fact that Switzerland is one of the most strongly represented 

countries among the exhibitors highlights the importance 

of grinding technology for its industry at home. 

“Grinding machines make up around a fifth of Swiss machine 

tool exports. This underscores the critical role of such technology 

for our member companies”, says Christoph Blättler 

from Swissmem, the association for the Swiss technology 

industry. “The Grinding Pavilion Switzerland gives smaller 

companies in particular an efficient way to shine at the 

trade fair.” 

further information: www.grindinghub.de 


25

news & facts 

A reward for sustained innovation 

Hainbuch GmbH has been awarded the TOP 100-Innovator 

2026 – in category C (more than 200 employees). 

The recognition places HAINBUCH among Germany’s 

most innovative mid-sized companies. The official 

award ceremony will take place on June 26, 2026, 

at the Congress Center Heidelberg, as part of the 

German SME Summit. 

At HAINBUCH innovation is not accidental – it’s systematic. 

The TOP 100 evaluation does not focus on individual inventions; 

instead it assesses innovation management and innovation 

performance. Professor Nikolaus Franke (Vienna University 

of Economics and Business Administration) and his 

team examine more than 100 criteria in five categories: 

innovation-friendly senior management, climate of innovation, 

innovative processes/organization, outward looking/ 

open innovation and successful innovations. 

“Smart solutions” – and the courage 

to try something new 

HAINBUCH is a leading manufacturer of solutions for 

clamping, change-over, measurement and automation for 

milling, turning and grinding on machine tools. The familyowned 

company has been based in Marbach am Neckar since 

1951 and operates worldwide with eleven subsidiaries. 

HAINBUCH is defined by a blend of Swabian ingenuity, 

hands-on practicality and a clear customer focus. Doers, 

thinkers and developers share one mission: to continuously 

simplify, advance and automate workholding processes. 

The company’s innovation culture is closely linked to the 

spirit of the owner family. Gerhard Rall, owner and inventor 

of the SPANNTOP principle, sums up this mindset: “We 

want to make our customers successful and strive for excellence 

and smart solutions. We would rather fail with an 

innovation than succeed by copying.” 

Employes and management celebrate the award 

This attitude has shaped HAINBUCH for decades – 

from the breakthrough in workpiece clamping with the 

SPANNTOP principle in the 1970’s to today’s solutions for 

reliable, connected, and automation-ready manufacturing. 

Examples include intelligent IQ clamping devices and the 

automated centroteX AC quick change-over interface for 

changing over entire clamping devices in automated manufacturing 

processes. Innovation also shows up in everyday 

execution: every year HAINBUCH develops more than 1,000 

custom solutions together with customers for demanding 

clamping applications. 

“For us the TOP 100 award confirms that our commitment 

to innovation is lived throughout the entire company – from 

the idea and the process to measurable customer benefits. 

We invest specifically in technology, know-how and collaboration 

to make manufacturing easier, more precise and more 

automatable”, explains Sylvia Rall, owner and CEO. 

further information: www.hainbuch.de 

Enhanced e-commerce platform to 

enhance customer experience 

Sunnen Products Company, a global leader in highprecision 

bore finishing and measurement, announced 

the launch of its new public website and B2B e-commerce 

platform, designed to enhance the online experience 

for customers seeking precision honing equipment 

and solutions. 

The website introduces a modern look and intuitive feel, offering 

easier and more user-friendly navigation for shoppers. 

Online ordering of Sunnen’s consumable products is currently 

available for customers in the US and Canada. Visitors 

to the site will benefit from access to all their online orders, 

including those placed through the previous online ordering 

platform, ensuring continuity and convenience. Users can 

create saved lists similar to wish lists and save shopping carts 

for future use, while the ability to place orders for any saved 

ship to location from the same account removes the hassle of 

multiple logins. 

In addition to the new online ordering experience, the over - 

all website has been redesigned to help global visitors access 

the product and application information they need when eval - 

uating Sunnen’s portfolio of machines and consumables. 

further information: www.sunnen.com 


Gear cutting and grinding from a single source 

processes 

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH is continuing the 

systematic development of its platform strategy with 

the redesign of its machine platform for workpieces 

up to two meters in diameter. The new series encompasses 

all relevant gear technologies and is aimed 

at manufacturers of large gears, particularly in the 

mechanical engineering, marine propulsion, construction 

machinery and wind power industries. 

The lineup begins with milling and profile grinding 

machines designed for this size range – making it possible, 

for the first time, to perform precision hard machining on 

large workpieces. 

By expanding the platform Liebherr now offers the entire 

machining spectrum in this size range and is responding 

to growing demand for soft and hard-fine machining 

from a single source. “Our concept is designed specifically 

for this segment as a comprehensive solution”, explains 

Thomas Breith, head of product management for Gear Technology. 

The new LGP 2000 enables profile grinding of 

workpieces up to 2,000 mm in diameter. In future customers 

will receive a machine package that includes milling and 

grinding – a combination that is often used in the machining 

of large components. 

mally than with the previous machines”, explains Thomas 

Breith. The machines feature a high-precision, hydrostatically 

mounted table with wear-free direct drive. Depending 

on the machine type, flat or roller linear guides are used, 

which enable high damping during gear cutting and maximum 

precision during grinding and gear testing on the machine. 

Two main stand variants with 1,500 and 2,000 mm of 

stroke enable efficient machining of even particularly long 

shafts with multiple gear teeth. The platform’s machines are 

designed to accommodate automation solutions like pallet 

changers and ringloaders. 

New gear cutting features: integrable 

chamfering device, optimized chip removal 

A new feature is that the gear cutting machines offer an 

optional chamfering device with a conventional end mill 

(FlexChamfer) that can be used directly on the cutter head. 

This allows for cost-effective machining even with small 

batch sizes. When milling internal gear teeth, an integrated 

chip removal system eliminates the need for a separate, 

costly channel in the factory floor. The gear cutting machines 

are suitable for both dry and wet machining. 

Profile grinding: 

new LGP series for large gear teeth 

Various grinding head configurations are available on the 

LGP for profile grinding of large gears. A unique feature 

is the sequential use of two grinding wheels without a tool 

change. This allows different tool specifications to be used, 

which either shorten the grinding time or enable higher 

surface qualities to be achieved in production. 

LGP allows both high speed grinding and creep feed 

grinding. Single- or double-sided topological profile grinding 

and internal grinding using an optional, swivelling internal 

grinding arm are possible thanks to the modern 

LHGearTec. In addition to a conventional double dresser, 

the LGP can also be equipped with a double dresser for simultaneous 

dressing of both grinding wheel flanks. This 

allows dressing times to be almost halved and the productivity 

of the profile grinding machine to be significantly 

increased once again. 

New platform: 

modular, economical, precise 

The newly designed large machine platform offers consistent 

synergies across all machining processes, thanks in part 

to a uniform control interface. Shorter processing times for 

profile grinding reduce machine costs and thus reduce unit 

costs for the customer. The modular design also improves 

the availability of spare parts, ensuring high machine availability. 

The new milling and profile grinding machines 

was unveiled at EMO in September 2025. 

The new high-performance grinding head 

Modular system 

The redesign was focused on modularity, flexibility and 

reduced component diversity – with the aim of optimizing 

delivery times and spare parts availability. All machines are 

built on a thermally symmetrical machine bed that is precisely 

temperature-regulated via circulating coolant. “This 

makes gear cutting and grinding even more stable therfurther 

information: www.liebherr.com 


27

processes 

Strategic aircraft component with all the trimmings 

As part of a joint project, MAPAL and machine 

manufacturer bavius designed and manufactured a 

demonstration part for the aerospace industry. The 

aluminum component, measuring approximately 

3 x 1 m, is based on a real rear spar from aircraft manufacturing 

enhanced with a variety of complex features. 

Besides its complexity, the component is also impressive due 

to the short machining time of ten hours thanks to the productivity 

of the bavius AeroCell and the special MAPAL tools 

used for aluminum machining. 

bavius technologie, from Baienfurt in Southern Germany, 

is specialized in the high-speed volume machining of structural 

components made of aluminum, which are typically 

required in the aerospace industry for wings and fuselages. 

Previously known as Handtmann A-Punkt Automation, bavius 

has been active as an independent family business since 2017, 

concentrating on two product lines: HBZ and AeroCell horizontal 

machining centers and the PBZ profile machining centers. 

With around 120 employees, bavius generates more than 

80 % of its turnover in the aerospace industry. As an OEM or 

supplier, their customers produce components for commercial 

and military applications. Components for satellites or 

rockets like the Ariane 6 are also produced on their machines. 

Entirely ‘Made in Germany’ 

Most bavius machines are located in Europe, but they are 

also strong in North American and Asian markets. While 

the company has offices in the United States, production for 

all markets worldwide exclusively takes place in Baienfurt in 

two air-conditioned halls with a production area of approximately 

10,000 m 2 . 

The NeoMill-Alu-QBig with Ø 50 mm 

A particular strength of bavius’s five-axis machining 

centers is that they are extraordinarily dynamic, which ensures 

high productivity during high-speed machining. To 

get every last drop of productivity out of their machines, 

bavius manufactures its own milling heads. The flagship of 

their product range is the bavius AeroCell 160 | 400 with a 

spindle power of 140 kW and top speeds of 30,000 rpm. The 

140 kW are already reached at 18,000 rpm, i.e. the maximum 

power is available over a wide range of speeds. “When 

we do something, we make sure it’s done excellently – we are 

global technology leaders with our AeroCell 160 | 400”, says 

Dominik Merz, director global sales. 

Over 90 % chips 

The rear spar is selected as a demonstration part because 

it fits perfectly on the machine with a table height of 1.6 m 

and width of 4 m. The rear spar is a common structural component 

in wings. Ribs run between the rear spar and front 

spar, which are arranged perpendicularly to the spars. These 

structural components define the geometry of the wings. 

The outer skin is riveted onto them. The completed component 

is made of 7075 aircraft aluminum and measures 

2977 × 748 mm. Its flat form measuring 138 mm high is typical 

of aircraft components. From one ton of starting weight, 

only 70.61 kg remain after machining – a proportion that is 

quite common in the aerospace industry. 

Legal reasons prevented bavius and MAPAL from using a 

real aeroplane component for the machining. This however 

gave those responsible the freedom to use the design for 

a variety of applications. As a result, this demonstration piece 

is much more complex than any normal rear spar. It includes 

features that are not necessarily associated with a spar but 

could be useful for other components. “A customer who 

knows structural components and sees our part will recognize 

it and notice characteristics that are also found in their 

own components”, Merz says, explaining this approach. 

Proudly presenting the finished demonstration part 

in front of the AeroCell 160 | 400 (from left): Jens Ilg (MAPAL), 

Alexander Follenweider (MAPAL), Stefan Diem (bavius) and 

Dominik Merz (bavius), left to right; 

the clamping setup can be seen in the foreground 

Machining takes place in Baienfurt in two clamping setups. 

While setup 1 uses low tension, setup 2 harnesses vacuum for 

secure hold. At first glance, the front looks simpler than it actually 

is. The surface is not flat but curves slightly outward 

over a radius of 9.5 m. This means that the component cannot 

simply be face milled. Instead five-axis machining is nec- 


processes 

essary. For roughing and finishing the NeoMill-Alu-QBig 

with Ø 50 mm and the OptiMill-Alu-Wave with Ø 25 mm are 

employed. The surface finish is performed by a PCD custom 

milling cutter. 

All sorts of pockets 

The machining of the back is particularly sophisticated. It is 

separated in nine different sections, each with its own special 

features. Like any rear spar, the demonstration part has 

many pockets. They are however completed here in all sorts 

of forms: rectangular, triangular, round, open, closed, some 

with inclined or curved bottoms. The ribs are very thin; the 

walls are mostly inclined. The pockets are up to 137 mm deep. 

After pre-machining with the NeoMill-Alu-QBig, the 

pockets are cleared out by an OptiMill-Alu-Wave of various 

lengths. The semi-finishing is performed by a shoulder 

milling cutter modified specifically for aerospace applications. 

Thanks to its special geometry, the tool is particularly 

suitable for machining residual material in the corners as 

well as subsequent finish milling of the floors and walls. The 

special core rise ensures optimal stability during the machining 

process. To machine all the areas efficiently, MAPAL experts 

use different diameters and lengths of the modified 

shoulder milling cutter. 

MAPAL also sets great store by efficiency during programming, 

as component manager Alexander Follenweider 

explains: “We work with a zigzag strategy in the parallel 

and counter feed to save on travel time. We thus constantly 

switch strategies during machining.” Despite the high machining 

speeds the aluminum may not be damaged as it 

changes properties when overheated. 

At top speeds, the OptiMill-Alu-Wave achieves a feed of 

12 m/min at a cutting depth of 48 mm at 29,000 rpm. The bigger 

NeoMill-Alu-QBig achieves a feed of 25 m/min at 10 mm 

cutting depth. Alone in the first 55 min. of machining of the 

second clamping, 425 kg of aluminum are thus machined. At 

its peak, this results in a chip volume of more than 14 l/min. 

“The results we were able to achieve here are excellent – and 

we were also able to create very good surfaces in the process”, 

says Stefan Diem, application engineer at bavius. 

Nothing is standard 

The various pockets are not the only challenges on the component: 

the bores on the four lugs can only be reached via an 

angled head. Undercuts are required elsewhere. A T-stiffener, 

which is common for structural components and provides 

rigidity, is also found on the demonstration part and is machined 

with a special PCD tool. Bore and reaming operations 

are also called for in certain areas. “Nothing is normal on our 

component”, Merz says, referring to the fact that you will be 

hard pressed to find a right angle anywhere on the part. Such 

oblique constructions are however the norm in the aerospace 

industry. 

For the involved partners’ customer presentations and as 

an eyecatcher for trade fairs, five of these rear spars are produced 

in Baienfurt. The machining of a part takes a total 

of almost precisely 10 h. “A component like this can take 

The pockets with various forms were the biggest challenge of the 

demonstration part; some special features were included, such 

as lugs with bores or a T-stiffener (top left of figure) 

between 20 - 30 h on other machines”, Merz estimates. 

Structural parts are usually machined vertically on gantry 

machines with big tools. Cutter heads with diameters of 

125 mm are normal. Feeds and speeds remain low. One disadvantage 

of this way are chips being left behind which 

can cause scratches. Heat is also transferred to the component. 

Horizontal machining precludes this. Together with 

powerful tools that enable high cutting data, the dynamic 

AeroCell 160 | 400 opens entirely new possibilities thanks to 

its extreme acceleration. 

Close collaboration 

MAPAL and bavius have been profiting from their close cooperation 

since many years. While MAPAL was developing 

the NeoMill-Alu-QBig and OptiMill-Alu-Wave, they were 

able to test and further optimize prototypes of the new tools 

in Baienfurt. As a tool manufacturer MAPAL doesn’t have 

equally powerful machines in Aalen, and bavius depends on 

innovative tools, as Diem explains: “For our premium machines 

we need top tools by suppliers like MAPAL offering 

high-volume milling cutters that take our machines to their 

limits. That doesn’t work with universal tools – we don’t gain 

any insights with them.” Two years ago the partners demonstrated 

what the AeroCell 160 could do. During test operations 

with overloading, the solid-carbide milling cutter 

OptiMill-Alu-Wave achieved chip volumes of up to 20 l/min 

while full slot milling normal aluminum. The top results 

achieved here are every bit as impressive: 12 l/min for a component 

made of the AL 7075 with its higher tensile strength. 

“I really appreciate the collaboration with MAPAL because 

we speak openly and treat each other fairly, and because 

they always provide a solution”, Diem highlights. For Jens Ilg, 

business development Aerospace & Composites at MAPAL, 

the success has also a personal dimension: “I also get an optimal 

feel of our own products when I see them being used in 

real and demanding conditions. And then I can offer them to 

customers with corresponding recommendations.” 

further information: www.mapal.com 


29

processes 

Micrometer in the fiber optic connector 

Data transmission rates in high-speed networks 

are influenced by many different things – one of the 

most important ones is the quality of the connectors. 

Especially in fiber optic networks, insert housings play 

a central role in speed and signal quality. The more 

precisely these parts are manufactured, the less loss 

and the more stable electromagnetic light waves are 

transmitted. 

Kern Microtechnik implements the highest precision standards 

in contract manufacturing – with tolerances of up to 

2 μm and production quantities of several thousand units. 

Plug connections are often the “bottleneck” for transmissions. 

This applies to high-pressure applications of liquids as 

well as to data that is transmitted with fiber optic cables in 

electromagnetic light waves. Even the slightest inaccuracies 

in position, angle or parallelism inhibit the transmission rate. 

To prevent this the insert housings of the connectors, which 

are primarily made of stainless steel, brass or Arcap, must be 

manufactured with uncompromising precision. 

The contract manufacturing department of Kern 

Microtechnik GmbH in Murnau, Germany, has developed a 

high level of expertise in this area over many years together 

with demanding customers. Many companies working with 

data processing, analytics and metrology technology as well 

as chemical and pharmaceutical industries appreciate this. 

Alexander Stauder, plant manager of Kern’s shop, explains: 

“The main challenge for us is to meet the requirements of 

each individual customer. To be able to guarantee this we 

are usually always on board during the development phase 

of the first prototypes.” 

Kern Microtechnik manufactures the insert housings of the 

fiber optic connectors, which are primarily made of stainless 

steel, brass or Arcap, with uncompromising precision; here, 

Alexander Stauder (left), plant manager of Kern’s shop explains 

what is important 

Precision manufacturing makes test redundant 

In this way, according to Stauder, aspiration and result can 

be steered in the right direction right from the start. Depending 

on requirements, quality and cost specifications 

are weighed up together to achieve the best result in the 

end. As a high-end quality example, the experienced engineer 

cites insert housings for fiber optic connectors from 

various customers, which can be found in many different 

industries, for example in entertainment technology and 

defense industries. 

The connectors must be very durable so that they can also 

be used under difficult conditions. For example in the event 

of extreme natural influences they still need reliably to transmit 

maximum data volumes. This means that if the opposite 

holes of the connector are shifted by even a few μm, this has 

enormous, negative effects. 

“To prevent this, most high-end manufacturers often check 

the conformity of the holes during connector assembly by a 

one hundred percent visual inspection”, explains Alexander 

Stauder. “But after intensive development work and with 

the high-end Kern Micro HD machining center we use for 

production, this expensive additional test effort is a thing 

of the past for our customers.” 

The Kern Micro HD five-axis machining centers are crucial 

for the extremely high, reproducible precision that 

Kern Microtechnik’s shop achieves on its parts 

Fully automated series production – μm-accurate 

The Murnau-based shop manages to reliably manufacture 

the insert housings of the fiber optic connector with an 

accuracy of ≤ 2 μm in position, and not only as one single 

part or a small series, but a fully automated batch size of ten 

thousand pieces per year. “This number is by no means an 

upper limit for us”, plant manager Stauder explains. 


processes 

Kern Microtechnik’s shop reliably manufactures 

insert housings of fiber optic connectors – such 

as the test parts shown in the photo – with an 

accuracy of ≤ 2 μm in position and position; 

this is not only possible on a single part or a 

small series, but also fully automated in 

batches of ten thousand parts per year 

Kern’s contract manufacturing department is working with 

the high-end Kern Micro HD five-axes machining center 

to manufacture insert housings. The entire process is fully 

automated. This means that the operator loads the tool 

changer and workpiece changer at the beginning of the job. 

He then calls up the corresponding program and clicks on 

‘start’. Then, without any further action needed, a prefabricated 

blank is positioned in the machine by the automation 

system (internal or external). Then the part is completely 

machined, removed and deposited as a finished part in the 

same way while the next blank is already being picked up. 

Quality of the machining center 

makes the difference 

What is described here in a few simple words represents a 

highly complex process in practice, which is mainly based on 

the quality of the machining center used. The most delicate 

chips fly, and it only needs to be re-clamped once, including 

finishing. This is important because the requirements for 

position, angle and diameter tolerances of the decisive drill 

are one in the single digit μm range. No matter what material 

is being machined. 

AMETEK, Inc., Berwyn, Pennsylvania, USA, was founded 

in 1930 and is today a globally leading provider of 

industrial technology solutions with annual sales of 

approximately 7.0 billion USD. With a focus on highly 

precise and differentiated products in various niche 

markets, the group holds well over 100 renowned brands 

in its portfolio. About 20 years ago, AMETEK invested in a 

German medium-sized company for the first time. 

Since February 2025, Kern Microtechnik has been the 

sixth German company to join. 

For Alexander Stauder and his team, this is not a problem 

at all. According to their own statements, they feel absolutely 

comfortable even in large-scale production with up to 2 μm 

in all the aforementioned position tolerances: “The finished 

parts are usually even more accurate. The biggest challenge 

above all is reproducibility. And we prefer to stay conservative 

with our information. We can proudly say that we are 

the supplier with the best possible results.” 

Highest precision with micro-gap technology 

Several technical highlights are decisive for the extremely 

high, reproducible precision of the used Kern Micro HD 

five-axes machining centers. One of them are the largedimensioned 

and temperature-controlled linear motors, 

which do not require any mechanical transmission elements 

that could wear out. Additionally the machines features a 

unique hydrostatic micro-gap technology, developed and 

patented by Kern. According to Sebastian Guggenmos, technical 

director of Kern Microtechnik GmbH, the thin gap 

of less than 10 μm in all linear axes ensures highest rigidity 

and the best damping properties of the system. 

In addition, chief technologist Guggenmos emphasizes the 

actively temperature-controlled aluminum axes and hydrostatic 

systems and adds: “With all these technical details, we 

can guarantee highest stability and persistent perfect quality 

of the parts coming out of serial production. Ultimately this 

also applies when the surrounding is less than ideal, such as 

we currently have in Murnau.” This refers primarily to trains 

passing on nearby tracks and cause slight vibrations in the 

building. Plant manager Stauder is unimpressed by this: 

“Other machines would have a problem with the required 

accuracies. Ours don’t.” 

Growing demand from analytics and metrology 

For customers with particularly high demands, the achieved 

results are very helpful. On the one hand this allows them to 

reliably guarantee their customers the highest data transfer 

rates. On the other hand, possible further work steps – such 

as pairing or inserting lenses – are significantly simplified 

during assembly. And since the advantages of high-precision 

serial production are also interesting for other industries, 

this has a positive effect on the general order intake in 

Murnau. According to Alexander Stauder, the demand from 

companies in the analytics and metrology industries is increasing 

just as strongly as from those that, as described here, 

require insert housings for fiber optic connectors. 

further information: www.kern-microtechnik.com 


31


Increasing efficiency in tool machining 

with automation and AI 

At GrindingHub 2026, VOLLMER WERKE 

Maschinenfabrik GmbH will present itself as a competent 

partner for tool manufacturing. The Biberachbased 

sharpening specialist will showcase its comprehensive 

portfolio of grinding, erosion and laser 

machines for the efficient machining of ultra-hard 

cutting materials such as PCD, CVD diamond, PcBN 

and carbide. The focus will be on automated production 

concepts, digital solutions and the targeted use 

of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Hybrid machine concept as the key to efficiency 

With increasing demands for precision and cost-effectiveness, 

Vollmer is specifically focusing on the hybrid machine concept 

of the VHybrid 260, which combines mechanical 

grinding processes with contactless EDM technology and 

digital solutions in a single machine. The VHybrid 260 

not only represents the combination of several sharpening 

technologies but also forms the basis for fully digitalized 

and automated production processes. A central element is 

the Vpulse EDM generator, which enables the highly precise 

production of even the smallest micro-tools with Ø of 

0.2 mm. During the erosion process, surface finishes of up 

to 0.05 µm Ra can be achieved. In addition cutting edge radii 

of up to 1.5 µm can be produced. This can eliminate the need 

for subsequent grinding of functional surfaces, avoiding 

tolerance risks caused by re-clamping as well as additional 

process-intensive steps, thereby significantly reducing overall 

production costs. 

At GrindingHub 2026 Vollmer will present its portfolio of 

grinding, erosion and laser machines that allow customers to 

machine ultra-hard cutting materials such as carbide, PCD, 

CVD diamond and PcBN. With a view to greater efficiency, 

hybrid machines in particular make it possible to sharpen 

tools faster and with higher quality. This can be seen, for 

example, in full-head PCD tools with complex geometries: 

within a single clamping operation, contours can be ground 

in carbide while the cutting edges in the PCD head are 

eroded. This approach not only shortens main and auxiliary 

processing times but also ensures a virtually seamless transition 

between the PCD head and the carbide blank – without 

irregularities or steps. The VHybrid 260 demonstrates particular 

strengths in cylindrical EDM. This contactless, highly 

precise process enables economical machining. Micro-tools 

in particular benefit from this, where dimensional accuracy, 

surface quality and reproducible processes are decisive. The 

combination of cylindrical grinding and cylindrical EDM 

enables the production of extremely small tool diameters 

with high precision, process reliability and efficiency – within 

a continuous, automated process chain. 

Process for producing defined edge chamfers 

For drilling tools a rounded edge chamfer proves advantageous 

for several reasons. Sharply eroded cutting edges can 

lead to problems in various application scenarios – particularly 

in the area of PCD drilling tools. A cutting edge without 

a rounded chamfer can result in unstable cutting, increased 

wear, reduced tool reliability and deterioration in workpiece 

quality. 

A rounded chamfer not only creates a defined cutting edge 

contour with reduced chipping but also improves the stability 

of the cutting edge as well as the surface structure and roughness 

in the cutting edge area. This leads to longer tool life, increased 

process reliability and improved workpiece quality. 

By integrating the chamfering process into the VHybrid 260, 

users are able to perform complete machining on a single 

machine. Geometry machining and the production of the 

rounded chamfer – whether eroded or ground – can be carried 

out in one clamping operation. By using the LaserCheck, a 

closed-loop process can also be implemented, eliminating 

the need for manual adjustments during machining. 

Automation and digitalisation for 24/7 production 

Regardless of the sharpening technology used, all Vollmer 

machines are consistently designed for automated 24/7 production. 

Central robot systems handle loading via carts, 

pallet loaders or chain magazines and monitor the fully 

automated complete machining process. A newly developed 

ND gripper with an automatically adjustable gripping 

diameter significantly expands possibilities in tool handling. 

Its flexible adaptation to a wide range of tool types increases 

both process reliability and versatility in operation. These innovative 

solution helps noticeably increase efficiency in automated 

loading. 

Machine and production data are recorded, analyzed and 

managed via a central IoT platform. The web-based VPortal 

serves as a central information and service platform, offering 



users a transparent overview of documentation and service 

information. In addition the Smart Hub intelligently consolidates 

production and machine data and prepares them for 

further analysis. AI-supported algorithms and an intelligent 

chatbot assist users in analyzing documentation and historical 

data, providing relevant information on machine utilization, 

production volumes and scrap rates. 

AI and digitalization as an opportunity for SMEs 

“Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, the 

combination of hybrid machine technology, digitalization 

and AI offers major opportunities”, says Tobias Trautmann, 

managing director of the Vollmer Group. “Processes can be 

made more transparent, downtime reduced and resources 

used more efficiently. With the VHybrid 260 we are creating 

a platform where different sharpening technologies, digital 

solutions and AI applications work seamlessly together to 

measurably optimize production processes.” 

Machine portfolio live at GrindingHub 

At GrindingHub 2026 Vollmer Werke will also present additional 

solutions from its current machine program. These 

include the VLaser 370 in an automated version as well as 

the VGrind Infinity linear. The exhibition appearance will 

be rounded off by the models CS 860 and CP 650 as well as 

the KSC560-B from the subsidiary Loroch. 

further information: www.vollmer-group.com 

Multi-axis machining and ai-driven 

smart manufacturing 

TMTS 2026 Taiwan International Machine Tool 

Show took place from March 25 - 28 at the Taichung 

International Convention and Exhibition Center 

(TICEC). The Fair Friend Group (FFG) brought together 

its Italian brand SIGMA alongside Taiwanese 

brands FEELER, LEADWELL and EQUIPTOP. 

This joint exhibition presented a comprehensive technological 

layout ranging from stand-alone machining and 

multi-axis solutions to multitasking machining, with the AI 

Command Center and Smart Manufacturing Systems serving 

as the core highlights. 

The exhibit focused on high-rigidity structural design, 

multi-axis applications, process integration, and intelligent 

user interfaces, addressing industry demands for highprecision, 

high-efficiency, and flexible production. SIGMA 

showcased the UCH-660 5-axis machining center, featuring 

a large-stroke design with B-axis ± 110 ° and C-axis 360 ° 

capabilities – ideal for multi-sided and complex curved surface 

machining while maintaining stable quality through 

high-rigidity and dynamic stability. FEELER presented the 

VUX-300T multitasking machine and VUX-400 4/5-axis vertical 

machining center, equipped with AICC II and Manual 

Guide i to enhance precision and efficiency for sectors like 

automotive, medical, and precision molds. LEADWELL put 

the TM-1700IST multitasking machine on display, capable 

of 5-axis simultaneous machining, drilling, milling, slanted 

holes, and self-measurement compensation. EQUIPTOP 

featured the ESG-1244CNC surface grinder, integrating big 

data analysis and life-cycle monitoring to track utilization 

rates in real-time and enable predictive maintenance. 

In response to smart manufacturing trends, the booth 

featured an AI command center that centralizes equipment 

operation and production line data. It tracks power con- 

FEELER 

SIGMA 

sumption and costs to calculate carbon emissions and carbon 

footprints. Through analysis and warning mechanisms, 

it assists managers in real-time decision-making and effi - 

ciency optimization, driving the transition from stand-alone 

machines to data-driven smart factories and rapidly establishing 

professional domain data models. 

further information: www.tmts.tw 


33


Kellenberger expands its grinding portfolio 

in the entry-level segment 

The Swiss grinding specialist 

Kellenberger is presenting two new 

cylindrical grinding machines at 

GrindingHub fair in Stuttgart – the 

KELLENBERGER K8 and the 

KELLENBERGER K10– significantly expanding 

its machine portfolio for beginners 

and smaller companies. 

Kellenberger cylindrical grinding machines 

are characterized by maximum precision, 

process reliability, productivity, and flexibility. 

Until now the range available to dedicated 

grinding professionals extended from 

the cost- and cycle-time-optimized, energyefficient 

universal cylindrical grinding machine 

K10, through the flexibly configurable 

K100, up to the premium-class K1000 

and VM1000. All of Kellenberger cylindrical 

grinding concepts are optimally configured 

for their respective application areas and can 

be expanded with a wide range of options. 

With the new KELLENBERGER K8 cylindrical 

grinding solution, Kellenberger offers 

an optimally configured standard machine in 

which advanced equipment options have been 

deliberately omitted. The K8 was designed 

for beginners and smaller companies looking 

for a cost-effective machine without having 

to compromise on Kellenberger’s proven premium 

quality. 

0i-TF control system and user-friendly standard grinding software for external, 

internal and shoulder grinding ensure excellent grinding results. 

Unlike the K10, K100, K1000 and VM1000 series, the KELLENBERGER 

K8 does not have a loader interface. The KELLENBERGER K8 is distributed 

through its own sales structure, which also integrates the service network in 

accordance with the Kellenberger standard. 

More features and a wide range of options: 

the new KELLENBERGER K10 

In addition to the K8, the advanced universal cylindrical grinding machine 

KELLENBERGER K10 stands out with new features and an expanded range 

of options. These include, among other things, active longitudinal positioning, 

which enables precise position control of the workpiece during external, 

face and internal grinding. 

The universal grinding head of the K10 accommodates two external 

grinding wheels (Ø 500/400 mm) as main and auxiliary wheels, as well as 

a directly driven high-frequency internal grinding spindle available in two 

speed ranges: 6,000–40,000 rpm and 10,000–60,000 rpm. The continuous 

Kellenberger table profile – already proven in the K100 and K1000 and suitable 

for all standard and optional configurations –is also used in the K10. 

A special feature is the low-maintenance energy supply via table interfaces. 

The dressing interface running along the entire rear side of the table reduces 

setup time and expands dressing options. 

This includes the stability and rigidity 

required for a successful grinding process, 

ensured by the solid machine bed cast in 

a single piece. The V-flat guideways in the 

Z-axis also contribute to this, featuring a special 

coating to prevent friction losses. Highquality 

Fagor measuring systems with a resolution 

of 0.05 μm guarantee maximum precision 

throughout the grinding process. 

The K8 is ideally suited for grinding workpieces 

in small and medium batch production. 

With a center height of 200 mm, a center 

distance of 1,000 mm, and a maximum 

grinding Ø of 380 mm, the K8 covers a wide 

range of parts. The grinding head can be 

equipped with an external grinding wheel 

and an internal grinding spindle. The Fanuc 

Kellenberg K10 



For extended machining capabilities, the 

KELLENBERGER K10 offers generous X- and 

Z-axis strokes (X = 365 mm / Z = 1,150 mm). 

The low-maintenance, high-precision linear 

guide in the X-axis and the V-flat slideways in 

the Z-axis are equipped with optical, absolute 

linear measuring systems. The B-axis is designed 

as an automatic indexing axis (1 °) with 

high positioning accuracy and a swivel range 

of + 30 ° / – 210 °. 

Like the high-performance machines K100, 

K1000 and VM1000, the KELLENBERGER 

K10 is equipped with the powerful Fanuc 

0i-TFP control system featuring a 19-inch 

touch control panel and Kellenberger user 

interface. The BLUE Solution software with 

object guide, ISO guide, and DXF import enables 

fast programming and setup, even for 

inexperienced operators. The BLUE Solution 

is continuously developed by Kellenberger’s 

software experts and enhanced with innovative 

features for process optimization. These 

features include the structure-borne sound 

sensor gTOUCH and the semi-automatic 

balancing system gBALANCE. The latest 

program enhancements for optimal grinding 

processes include the quality measurement 

control gMEASURE and grinding time monitoring 

gTIME. The newest BLUE Solution 

edition will be demonstrated at GrindingHub. 

Global leadership team complete 

Kellenberger’s board of directors 

has appointed Jörg Schmauder as the 

new chief sales officer (CSO) with 

immediate effect. Jörg is an experienced 

international sales and general 

management executive with a 

distinguished career as CSO in 

various globally operating machine 

tool companies; he will be based in 

Goldach, Switzerland. 

With this additional appointment, 

Kellenberger’s global leadership team is 

complete – in addition to Jörg Schmauder, 

it consists of: 

Carsten Liske (CEO), 

Norbert Finger (CFO), 

Joe Loiselle (president America), 

Viktor Gaspar (president Europe), 

Alison Zhang (president China) and 

Sandro Mock (senior director sales & 

service ROW, i.e. Asia outside of China) 

Kellenberg K8 

Visitors can also look forward to a presentation of the company’s new inhouse 

component manufacturing. In the future Kellenberger will produce 

key machine components – essential for achieving the highest precision 

standards required by the company – at its Goldach facility. These include, 

among others, spindles and grinding heads. 

At GrindingHub Kellenberger will also showcase its proven cylindrical 

grinding concepts for the highest demands: the KELLENBERGER K100, 

KELLENBERGER K1000, and KELLENBERGER VM1000. The Kellenberger 

100 is available with center distances of 1,700 / 1,000 and 600 mm and a 

center height of 200 mm, and is designed for workpiece weights of up to 

200 kg. High grinding wheel drive power ensures high productivity, while 

the new Z-guide system delivers high profile accuracy. The C-axis with 

direct drive provides increased precision in non-cylindrical grinding. The 

K100 features a tandem grinding head with 10 grinding head variants. 

The KELLENBERGER K1000 is equipped with hydrostatic guideways 

in all main axes for maximum form accuracy in grinding tasks involving 

interpolating axes. The CNC-controlled B-axis for the grinding head is 

hydrostatically mounted and therefore wear-free. It features a direct drive 

with a water-cooled high-torque motor and an angular measuring system 

with a resolution of 0.1 arcseconds. The K1000 is optionally available with 

center distances of 1,000 / 1,600 mm and center heights of 200 / 250 and 

300 mm. More than 30 different grinding head variants with external and 

internal grinding spindles are available as standard, covering virtually every 

machining requirement. 

The VM1000 is optimized for flexible, universal internal and external 

cylindrical machining of complex workpieces up to 300 mm in length. The 

range of workpieces includes the smallest individual parts for fuel injection 

systems in car engines, ball bearing rings, transmission components, 

hydraulic components and complex components used in machine tool 

construction. The special feature of the VOUMARD 1000 are the two highly 

precise hydrostatic B-axes. The spindle turret on the B1 axis is equipped 

with a uniquely compact grinding spindle head with a flexible spindle 

arrangement. This allows spindles and measuring sensors to be optimally 

positioned, enabling the machining of virtually any workpiece geometry 

as well as multiple internal and external grinding operations in a single 

clamping setup. 

further information: www.kellenberger.com 


35


Universal grinding machines for 

precision manufacturing tasks 

The universal grinding machines in the EMAG 

UG series combine proven grinding technology with 

a cost-efficient machine base. They are ideal for users 

who are looking for a sophisticated solution for internal, 

exter nal and out-of-round grinding and do not 

want to com promise flexibility, precision and process 

reliability. 

The UG series include machines with grinding lengths from 

400 to 1,500 m. This gradation covers a wide range of requirements 

– from compact workshop machines for toolmaking to 

universal production solutions for longer shafts and complex 

geometries – whether clamped between centers or in a chuck. 

Model overview and range of applications 

The series is divided into four variants: 

• UG 400 with 400 mm grinding length 

• UG 630 with 630 mm grinding length 

• UG 1000 with 1,000 mm grinding length 

• UG 1500 with 1,500 mm grinding length 

Linear guides in the X- and Z-axes, servo drives with recirculating 

ball screws and direct-drive motorized grinding spindles 

form the technical basis. The standard center height is 

175 mm and the maximum workpiece weight is 120 kg (model 

UG 1000). Larger center heights and workpiece weights are 

possible with additional equipment. 

Grinding head – precision through direct drive 

The grinding head is equipped with direct-drive motor 

spindles. The spindle power is up to 11 kW. As there is no 

belt drive, there are no sources of vibration, and the torque is 

transmitted without loss. This leads to uniform power transmission 

and reduces vibrations during the grinding process. 

The automatically swiveling B-axis enables infinitely variable 

positioning between - 15 ° and + 225 ° with an accuracy 

of 0.0005 °. This precision is required for surface and contour 

grinding, where the exact angular position of the 

grinding wheel determines the machining result. The achievable 

peripheral speed of the grinding wheel is 50 m/s. Precision 

grinding spindles are used for internal machining. 

These spindles are characterized by high motor speeds and a 

robust bearing with oil-air lubrication, which is required for 

internal grinding of small bores. 

Workhead – rigidity and concentricity 

The workhead is equipped with precision tapered roller bearings 

that ensure high rigidity. The concentricity accuracy on 

the test workpiece is 0.5 μm. This accuracy is the result of the 

rigid bearings and the quality of the components used. 

A swivel range of 0 ° to + 30 ° enables various grinding strate - 

gies for cone grinding. A pneumatic lifting device facilitates 

set-up and positioning of the workpiece. AE sensory equipment 

can be integrated as an option. These sensors detect 

the contact between the grinding wheel and workpiece and 

reduce idle times. 

An optional workpiece spindle with C-axis is available for 

out-of-round and thread grinding. In this case, the workpiece 

spindle is designed as a motor spindle with rotary positioning. 

This enables synchronized movements between the feed 

of the grinding spindle and the rotation of the workpiece. 

Tailstock – precision centering 

when grinding between centers 

The standard tailstock is equipped with a quill with a Ø of 

63 mm for MK4 centers. It runs low backlash in the guide, 

which enables precise centering of the workpiece. A fine adjustment 

of ± 40 μm allow the correction of taper deviations 

and ensures concentricity of well under one micrometer. 

Manual or hydraulic actuation systems are available. The 

hydraulic version speeds up workpiece changeover, as the 

quill is automatically retracted after machining. An integrated 

sensory equipment monitors the correct position of 

the workpiece tip and increases process reliability. 

Work area of the EMAG UG series; the combination of 

swiveling B-axis and direct-drive spindles enables 

internal and external grinding 

Dressing systems – ensuring 

constant grinding conditions 

Various dressing systems are available for different requirements. 

Dressing is an essential part of the grinding process, 

as the geometry and sharpness of the grinding wheel 

signifi cantly determine the surface quality and dimensional 

accuracy. 



The EMAG UG series at a glance: UG 400, UG 630, UG 1000 and UG 1500 cover grinding lengths from 400 to 1,500 mm 

The following systems are available: 

→ Table dresser with flexible positioning: the table dresser 

can be placed at any position on the top table. This 

flexibility allows it to be adapted to different workpiece 

geometries and grinding wheel diameters. The user can 

optimize the dressing position for specific workpieces, 

which shortens set-up times for frequently changing 

production tasks. 

→ Dressing spindle on the workhead: the dressing spindle 

is mounted at the rear of the workhead and enables 

automated dressing without manual intervention. 

This solution is suitable for batch production where 

constant dressing cycles increase process reliability. 

Integration into the machine structure reduces the 

footprint and shortens non-productive times. 

→ Holder for dressing tiles on the tailstock and workhead: 

for simple dressing tasks, holders for dressing tiles 

can be mounted on the tailstock or workhead. This 

cost-effective solution is suitable for manual dressing 

processes or as a supplement to automated systems. 

The modular design allows the dressing system to be adapted 

to the respective application. The selection of a suitable dressing 

system depends on the type of grinding wheel, number 

of pieces, workpiece geometry and required surface qualities. 

Of course, the machines in the UG series can be extended 

according to customer requirements, for example with NC 

synchronous tailstock, in-process measuring technology, 

automatic tailstock with NC axis, hydraulic steady rests and 

many other options. 

Control and operation 

The UG machines are equipped with the FANUC 0i-TF CNC 

control as standard. This control offers a dialog-oriented 

HMI that simplifies programming and operation. 

User guidance is logically structured, and frequently used 

functions are directly accessible. The FANUC 31iB Plus 

is available for more complex contours, especially for outof-round 

and thread grinding. This controller has a higher 

computing power and supports extended functions for synchronized 

motion control. Interpolation between the axes 

is performed with high precision, which is necessary for 

machining out-of-round geometries. 

The use of FANUC controllers offers advantages in international 

applications. The controllers are used worldwide, 

service availability is high and spare parts are available at 

short notice. This minimizes downtime and facilitates the 

training of operators who are familiar with FANUC controls. 

Worldwide customer support 

EMAG maintains a global service network covering all continents. 

The service locations are in Germany, Great Britain, 

France, Spain, Italy, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, India, China 

and South Korea. This decentralized structure enables 

short response times and a rapid on-site presence for service 

requests. 

The service technicians at all locations have access to a 

shared knowledge pool. Experiences from service cases are 

systematically analyzed and made available worldwide. This 

allows customers to benefit from the accumulated know-how 

of the EMAG organization irrespective of their location. 

As an OEM supplier, EMAG guarantees to help the customer 

as quickly as possible – whether during commissioning, 

with technical questions or in the event of a malfunction. On 

request EMAG can supply a turn-key package that includes 

not only the machine but also the tool, workholding technology, 

cutting fluids and the finished workpiece program. The 

customer thus receives a production-ready solution from a 

single source. 

The service program also offers preventive servicing, 

training courses at the EMAG academy, retrofits and original 

spare parts that are always available. The aim of all services is 

to maximize machine availability and ensure a long service 

life for the investment. 

further information: www.emag.com 


37


Precision and process reliability redefined 

In the high-precision world of mechanical engineering 

and tool reconditioning, every detail matters. 

For Fraisa GmbH, a leading provider in the field of 

cutting tools, defined edges and absolute process reliability 

are critical to success. To further secure their 

already established quality standards while simultaneously 

increasing efficiency and the level of automation, 

Fraisa sought a solution to specifically optimize their 

existing processes. They found the answer in OTEC’s 

Mass Finishing Technology. 

This collaboration demonstrates how remarkable results can 

be achieved through customized adaptations and technological 

excellence. 

The challenge: long setup times and 

process optimization potential 

Before partnering with OTEC, Fraisa faced specific challenges 

in surface finishing. The company, based in Willich 

and specializing in the ReTool process and the reconditioning 

of milling tools, was using a DF 4 Tools machine. While 

this system was already delivering reliable performance and 

good results, there was room for further optimization. The 

focus was primarily on reducing setup times and achieving 

longer autonomous operation through a higher degree of 

automation. In a market where precision and efficiency are 

key factors for competitiveness, it was essential to further 

develop these aspects. Yves Krause, team leader of process 

technology at Fraisa, and his team sought a solution that was 

technologically advanced and could seamlessly integrate into 

their existing workflows. The goal was to establish a method 

that ensured consistently high quality while reducing time 

and cost efforts. 

The solution: customized 

Mass Finishing Technology from OTEC 

Fraisa has been utilizing OTEC technology for around 

25 years. The most recent implementation in early 2025, an 

SF-DC-78 1/1 PLS, marks another milestone in this longstanding 

and successful partnership. This machine was 

specifically selected and tailored to meet Fraisa’s demanding 

requirements. The integration of the OTEC solution into the 

existing process was carried out step by step in close coordination 

between Fraisa and OTEC. 

Crucial to the success was OTEC’s willingness to accommodate 

customer-specific requests and tailor the machine 

precisely to the user’s challenges. This flexibility, combined 

with quick response times and open communication, was a 

key aspect that Fraisa particularly values. OTEC delivered 

not just a machine but a holistic solution approach designed 

to address the specific challenges of tool reconditioning. 

Results that convince: 

higher quality, less required time 

The introduction of the OTEC SF-DC-78 1/1 PLS led to 

immediate and measurable improvements at Fraisa. The 

results speak for themselves and highlight the effectiveness 

of mass finishing technology. 

→ increased process reliability 

Fraisa was able to further enhance process reliability. 

The defined edge conditioning was standardized and 

developed into an even more stable and repeatable 

process. This ensures consistently high quality 

for the reconditioned milling tools. 

→ reduced setup and processing times 

The previously time-intensive setup processes were 

significantly reduced with the new system. Thanks 

to the minimal setup requirements of the OTEC 

machine, Fraisa was able to optimize auxiliary times. 

Combined with faster processing times, this resulted 

in a noticeable increase in overall efficiency. 

→ high flexibility in application 

The new system offers Fraisa high flexibility to 

quickly adapt to different tool types and processing 

requirements. This is a decisive advantage in a 

dynamic market environment 

A partnership for the future 

The success story of Fraisa and OTEC is an impressive example 

of how technological innovation and a customer-focused 

approach lead to outstanding results. Fraisa not only overcame 

its initial challenges but also consistently advanced its 

processes, particularly in terms of efficiency and automation. 

When asked whether he would recommend OTEC, Yves 

Krause, team leader of process technology at Fraisa, responded 

with a resounding “Yes, 100 %.” His reasoning highlights 

OTEC’s strengths: “They manage to act in a timely, 

technologically advanced and user-oriented manner.” 

This strong endorsement underscores OTEC’s commitment 

to not just delivering machines but acting as a true 

partner, understanding their customers’ processes and 

improving them sustainably. The collaboration with Fraisa 

demonstrates that the right surface finishing technology 

can be a decisive lever for greater productivity and quality 

in mechanical engineering. 

further information: www.otec.de 



Automated assembly of clamping devices and 

mobile robot cells for adaptive manufacturing 

With Smart FMS (flexible manufacturing system), 

Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW) opened 

a new chapter in automation systems in 2025. The 

new manufacturing system enables flexible, resourcesaving 

and sustainable workpiece processing – regardless 

of the number of pieces. 

Two core technologies, the automated clamping system Sfix 

and the mobile robot cell S-cell, were presented for the first 

time at automatica in Munich and EMO in Hanover, where 

they were met with a positive response. 

While classic production lines are designed for fixed processes, 

the Smart FMS enables flexible machining of different 

workpiece types and batch sizes without time-consuming 

changeovers. This results in an approach that addresses 

both economic requirements – such as higher utilization and 

shorter setup times – and ecological goals aimed at reducing 

material and energy consumption. With its three core technologies 

– the Sfix system, the S-cell mobile robot cell and 

the pallet changing system – the Smart FMS enables the transition 

from isolated machine concepts to adaptive manufacturing 

systems that can be dynamically adapted to changing 

production conditions. 

The Sfix system for 

different workpiece variants and batch sizes 

The Sfix system greatly simplifies the clamping of workpieces. 

Until now each workpiece required an individual clamping 

device that had to be designed and stored – an expense 

that was particularly significant for small series with many 

variants. In the Sfix-cell, a robot automatically assembles the 

required clamping device from standardized components in 

just a few minutes. The basis for this is the patented Sfix plate, 

on which the elements are precisely positioned using the 

CAD model of the workpiece. 

“Sfix makes the clamping process plannable and reproducible”, 

explains Michael Kreuzberger, product manager at 

SW. “This significantly reduces setup and storage costs and increases 

process reliability – especially with frequently changing 

components.” The modular system can replace up to 150 

conventional clamping devices. This reduces material consumption 

and storage needs while enabling economical, resource-saving 

production across a wide range of batch sizes. 

The pallet changing system – also a component of the 

Smart FMS – further automates the production process: it acts 

as an interface between the Sfix-cell and the machine tool, 

enabling the quick and safe exchange of workpiece pallets 

without manual intervention. The pallet changing system 

can be moved flexibly via a floor axis or positioned by an 

autonomous mobile robot (AMR). 

At the heart of the Sfix systemis a robot 

that automatically assembles 

clamping devices from 

standardized 

components 

in just a few 

minutes 

S-cell system: mobile automation for 

flexible manufacturing environments 

The S-cell system complements the Smart FMS with an intelligent 

automation solution. It enables flexible material flow 

between machining, cleaning, or assembly stations without 

rigid interlinking. The S-cell, a mobile platform with a permanently 

installed industrial robot, moves autonomously 

through the production facility via a driverless transport 

system. It docks precisely at the respective station, takes over 

the loading and unloading of workpieces, and moves on to 

the next task once the process is complete. The cell independently 

recognizes the type of station it is connected to and 

automatically adapts its processes. This eliminates the need 

for manual changeovers, which are usually associated with 

high costs in classic production lines. At the same time 

the machines remain freely accessible, for example for 

maintenance or setup processes. 

In combination with the advanced orchestration software 

SmartFlow, the system ensures optimal efficiency and utilization 

of the entire plant. Thanks to AI-supported planning, it 

adapts dynamically and flexibly to changes in the production 

process – without any manual intervention. “This solution 

is highly cost-effective, as it enables step-by-step investment, 

high component reusability and short amortization times”, 

says Michael Kreuzberger about the advantages. “Companies 

can implement the system gradually and expand it as needed, 

as it can be easily networked with SW machines and systems 

from other manufacturers thanks to open interfaces.” 

Introduction of Smart FMS generates great interest 

SW presented the Smart FMS concept for the first time at 

automatica and EMO. “The feedback at both trade fairs 

showed that companies are looking for solutions that are 

flexibly scalable and do not require long changeover times”, 

says Michael Kreuzberger. “The Smart FMS provides exactly 

this foundation – regardless of industry, batch size, or workpiece 

variant.” 

further information: www.sw-machines.com 


39


Size matters… 

Zimmermann, Inc. has installed and commissioned 

its FZU37 portal milling machine, with a 5 x 4 x 1.5 m 

workpiece capacity, at Century Tool, a major tool and 

die manufacturer in Fenton, Michigan and part of the 

Tooling Tech Group. The machine has already proven 

its worth, according to the customer’s director of manufacturing, 

Tom Bradford: “The table size, speed and 

accuracy of this Zimmermann machine have already 

increased our capabilities by 30 % or more.” 

Bradford and the operator on the machine, David Hawes, 

further note the benefits of the Heidenhain TNC7 control, 

the first machine tool installation in America for this advanced 

CNC, as a key factor in production planning, 

CAD/CAM integration, cycle performance and data logging. 

The CNC also features a visual simulator of the cutting path 

for cycle validation and in-process monitoring. 

According to Cornelius Kiesel, president of Zimmermann, 

Inc., his company was approached for the discussion of a 

new machine, which would be replacing an existing, smaller 

machine that was no longer in operation, plus expand the 

capabilities of other machines on the floor at Century. “We 

determined the spec of the new machine and its tasks for finishing 

and semi-finishing. The primary goal was to cut down 

the immense number of hours for such processes on the very 

large workpieces at Century, while enabling them to run the 

roughing process on their existing equipment.” 

Kiesel continues, “To keep things simple, we selected 

the FZU37 machine, so the foundation of the replacement 

machine could be filled up to make it flush without a major 

foundation rework. After several conversations and a few 

adjustments on the accessories, we were able to lock in the 

layout. These layout improvements allowed us to go even 

wider for a total of 5000 x 4000 x 1500 mm (197” x 157” x 59”) 

of travel, which was 79 % more travel in the same amount of 

floor space. The FZU37 was subsequently ordered with the 

state-of-the-art spec for an advanced machine shop such as 

Century, including our tool changer, top cover, mist extraction, 

high-pressure coolant, tool laser, touch probe and more. 

Century Tool also wanted to step up their control to the new 

generation Heidenhain TNC7.” 

Lastly, Kiesel notes “Zimmermann also integrated an extended 

spindle housing for deeper cavities plus the side walls 

Century machine operator David Hawes 

sets the tooling on the spindle of the 

Zimmermann machine 

A 5 x 4 x 1.5 m work envelope is 

available on the Zimmermann 

machine, which substantially 

increased the run capabilities 

at Century 

Tom Bradford and David Hawes of Century 

review a cycle setup on the Heidenhain TNC7 

CNC on the Zimmermann machine; this 

portal milling machine is the first in America 

with this advanced CNC onboard; the cycle 

can be simulated before running 



were raised to create enough clearance and the machine table 

reinforced for the challenging molds our customer expected 

to be produced on this machine. When all these machine 

parameters got worked out and finalized, we completed the 

machine rather quickly, commissioned it, did the training 

onsite and helped Tom and his team start up.” Tom Bradford 

cited Alfio Campagna, project manager for Zimmermann, 

for his critical help in getting the machine into production 

at Century, as this was the first Zimmermann portal mill 

purchased by the moldmaker. 

Bradford also commended the Heidenhain team, who 

provided three days of training on the CNC at their 

Chicago location and two more onsite at Century. Operator 

Hawes commented that he had substantial experience on 

Heidenhain controls, so the training went quickly for him, 

though the new control has numerous new features, including 

its smart programming, a graphical programming 

feature that allows the user to draw contours directly onto 

the touchscreen, after which the CNC converts the result into 

a “Klartext” (German for clear text) program. Century uses 

Visi as its main CAD program and Tebis as its CAM software 

and Bradford noted the seamless matching of these programs 

with the onboard CNC software to configure programs and 

posts made startup and run a smoother process. 

In addition the new CNC offers the user its Component 

Monitoring feature, which can protect the spindle bearing 

from overloading, while also detecting increased component 

wear in the drive train, all while the machine is running. 

This feature provides valuable data for predictive maintenance 

and evaluation of the process capability of the machine. 

This is vital at Century, who uses the Zimmermann 

machine exclusively for large, one-off mold prep, often 

removing over 90 % of the material from a workpiece, over 

multiple days of machining. 

Also, the ergonomics of the CNC are extremely user-friendly. 

Screen layouts and touchpad controls can be suited to user 

preferences. The intuitive contour programming is enabled by 

symbolic gestures on the touchscreen. Since Klartext remains 

the main format for files and exporting from the Heidenhain 

control, existing NC programs can continue in use. 

Currently, the Zimmermann machine at Century is running 

on two shifts, often remotely tended in a low-light or 

lights-out mode. 

Tom Bradford comments on the Zimmermann machine 

performance. “We do a lot of large tools for compression 

molding of composites and other substrates. We work for a 

variety of industries, from automotive to heavy truck, offhighway 

to agriculture, power sports to infrastructure such 

as water tanks. Century specializes in class-A exterior body 

panels, so the surface finish is critical. During the very long 

runs we do on the Zimmermann, maintaining tight tolerances 

is key and the machine plus its onboard control technology 

make that happen for us.” 

Brian Czapla, director of sales at Century, adds “The trend 

toward high-strength, lightweight composites and large 

Cornelius Kiesel, president of Zimmermann, Inc., 

Brian Czapla, director of sales at Century, 

Yousif Sallan, project manager at Zimmermann, Inc. and 

Tom Bradford, director of manufacturing at Century, 

with the FZU37 portal milling machine 

dimensioned, unitized parts for auto and heavy truck make 

this machine a real asset in our operation.” 

In use, the typical workpiece on the Zimmermann is P20 

steel, the industry standard for molds, as well as various aluminum 

materials. HSK 63 and HSK 80 are the primary toolholder 

types, used for cutting and laser touch probing here. 

Standard carbide cutting tools and inserts are typical, as well. 

Bradford further notes “As a tooling source we serve the 

Tier One and OEMs in the manufacturing space. We have a 

strong reputation in automotive and heavy truck and we’re 

looking to expand into aerospace and other consumer products 

as well. As Brian noted, our core strength in composite 

molds gives us a real advantage in entering these other 

markets. The Zimmermann machine helps us achieve 

superior RA finishes with consistent quality, even on much 

larger structures.” 

Century Tool is part of the Tooling Tech Group. With 

roots that go back over 40 years, Tooling Tech Group (TTG) 

has grown to be a leading manufacturer of tooling in the 

United States. They provide solutions for thermoform molding, 

high compression composite molding, blow molding, 

rotational molding, die casting and stamping, as well as custom 

automation systems for assembly, joining and inspection 

applications in a variety of industrial sectors. TTG comprises 

Century Tool, Century Automation for post-molding materials 

handling and assembly strategies, Die Cad for tooling 

design & simulation, Majestic for production of stamping 

dies, Tooling Technology for turnkey cast & billet aluminum 

tooling solutions, Alpha Integration for assembly automation 

and G&H Tool & Mold for high-pressure die cast molds. 

further information: www.zimmermann-inc.com 


41


Innovative manufacturing of ultra-hard tools 

In modern production involving difficult-tomachine 

materials and high quality requirements, 

tools made from ultra-hard cutting materials such as 

PCD, CVD, MCD and CBN are becoming increasingly 

important. Users benefit from optimal cutting speeds, 

longer service life and better surfaces. Machining these 

cutting materials is more demanding than machining 

conventional carbides, which is driving the development 

of innovative manufacturing solutions for these 

advanced tools. 

At GrindingHub in Stuttgart, May 5 - 8, 2026, DMG MORI 

will present a holistic process chain in which a LASERTEC 

12 SLM first builds a milling head from polycrystalline diamond 

(PCD) in a powder bed. The cutting edge is finished 

on a LASERTEC 20 PrecisionTool using a laser. In addition 

the machine tool manufacturer will be showcasing a secondgeneration 

vertical Mate 85 for conventional grinding. 

LASERTEC SLM: 

ultra-hard milling heads from the powder bed 

Both the LASERTEC 12 SLM exhibited at GrindingHub and 

the larger LASERTEC 30 SLM 3. Generation serve as productive 

solutions for the additive manufacturing of milling heads 

in a powder bed. The decisive advantage over conventional 

manufacturing processes lies in the complex geometries that 

the additive process can achieve. For example internal cooling 

channels can be integrated, ensuring optimal heat dissipation 

when machining with ultra-hard cutting materials. 

On the control side LASERTEC SLM machines feature 

CELOS X with easyAM. This makes the powder bed machines 

easy to operate and maintain. rePLUG powder modules 

also enable quick changes between different materials. 

LASERTEC 20 PrecisionTool: 

cutting edge rounding in a single clamping ong 

DMG MORI offers advanced finishing of cutting edges with 

the LASERTEC 20 PrecisionTool. The 5-axis laser machine 

rounds cutting edges without any post-processing in a single 

clamping at a speed of up to 5 mm/min with 1.6 mm thick 

PCD. It is also possible to measure the stroke profile of the 

round laser chamfer and to customize or adjust it on the 

machine. The LASERTEC 20 PrecisionTool produces cutting 

edges with a sharpness of less than 1 μm and a defined cutting 

edge rounding of 3 μm, 6 μm, 9 μm, and 15 μm. Negative 

chamfers are also possible. In addition the process-reliable 

laser processing contributes to higher cost-effectiveness because 

it increases the service life of the tools by a factor of 2.5. 

LASERTEC 50 PrecisionTool Femto: miniature tools 

The DMG MORI LASERTEC 20 PrecisionTool produces 

sharp cutting edges under 1 μm. In addition to this process 

chain DMG MORI serves another highly dynamic market 

segment with micro tool machining on the LASERTEC 50 

PrecisionTool Femto. The focus here is on miniature tools 

with a diameter of 0.2 mm or more, which consist of soldered 

PCD diamonds and are manufactured with extreme precision 

using ultra-short pulsed femto laser ablation. With tools 

of this size in particular, classic mechanical machining 

processes such as grinding or electrical discharge grinding 

often reach their technological limits. High process forces, 

tool wear and complex and fragile geometries often make 

reproducible machining impossible. 

The femto laser technology of the LASERTEC 50 

PrecisionTool, on the other hand, enables virtually force-free 

material removal with maximum geometric accuracy. This 

allows even the most demanding cutting geometries and defined 

cutting edge qualities to be achieved, which is a decisive 

advantage, especially in applications with the highest requirements 

for precision, service life and process reliability. Users 

benefit not only from the laser processing itself, but also from 

DMG MORI’s comprehensive machine, control and process 

expertise in the field of precision tool manufacturing. 

Vertical Mate 85 2. Generation: multi-process 

grinding for demanding industries 

With the Vertical Mate 85 2. Generation multi-process grinding 

machine DMG MORI is building on the success of its predecessor 

model. It allows the machining of inner and outer diameters 

as well as flat surfaces in a single clamping. Its speed- 

MASTER LongNose spindle achieves an output of 18.5 kW, 

35.3 Nm torque and a speed of 10,000 rpm. An optimized machine 

structure and high thermal stability contribute to highprecision 

machining, as does the linear scale in the X-axis. 

The Vertical Mate 85 2. Generation achieves a roundness of 

1 μm, making it ideal for precision applications in challenging 

industries such as mobility, semiconductors, and aviation. 

With its combination of additive manufacturing, laser 

finishing and classic grinding technology, DMG MORI is underlining 

its position at GrindingHub as a technology partner 

for the entire value chain of modern tool manufacturers, 

from micro to macro machining. 

further information: www.dmgmori.com 


components 

Engineered for governed constant high speeds, 

ultra-precision and reliability accelerating 

advanced CNC machining applications 

Air Turbine Technology Inc., the leading manufacturer 

of revolutionary high-speed turbine products, 

highlights its ‘All Rounder’ 625 Series Spindles, transforming 

high-speed machining for manufacturers 

seeking precision, reliability and higher productivity 

in industrial applications. 

Governed constant high speeds under load from 30,000 to 

65,000 RPM with power ratings up to 0.55 HP are easily added 

to any CNC with the 625 Series Spindle and are ideal for 

engraving, mold making, milling and finishing with small 

tools up to 1/8” (3 mm) capacity. Utilizing a patented directdrive 

design with only two moving parts and optimized 

air circulation over bearings, these spindles operate 24/7 

with no heat or thermal expansion and eliminate duty cycle 

limitations. 

By increasing air flow volume to match cutting load, 

Air Turbine Technology’s governor-controlled turbine maintains 

constant rated speeds and torque under load, allowing 

users to cut faster and cleaner while extending tool life and 

ending frequent breakages of small tools. The performance 

of the 625 Series Spindle therefore stands apart for its proven 

ability to accelerate cycle times and minimize tool breakage, 

while maintaining exceptional accuracy at 2 micron TIR and 

vibration at just 0.4 mm/s. This is completely different from 

nominal high speed coolant spindles that fade in cut and clog 

up with chips. 

All that is required is a connection to 90 PSI compressed 

air. Full ATC is available on any CNC with air through the 

spindle or using the patented Air Turbine Technology collar 

and block. 

By avoiding gears, vanes and brushes, the spindle’s design 

reduces friction and wear as well as eliminates heat. This 

reliable turbine direct drive dramatically reduces downtime 

as well as repair costs from friction and overheating. 

Supported by a range of toolholder configurations including 

JS, HSK, CAT, BT and DIN, the 625 Series Spindle can be 

seamlessly integrated into any CNC machine magazine for 

automated, uninterrupted production. 

The extra power 625X Series Spindle further boosts 

performance on any CNC with its patented double turbine 

delivering speeds up to 50,000 RPM and power of 0.76 HP. 

This makes the 625X Series Spindle effective in demanding 

operations with larger tools or operations such as contouring 

and peck drilling in hard materials with tools up to 1/4” 

(6 mm) capacity. 

Both 625 Series Spindles provide practical benefits, power 

to maintain high speed, no duty cycle, continuous operation, 

predictable precision and versatile mounting options, 

enabling manufacturers to achieve superior surface finishes, 

reduce cycle times and maintain quality across a wide range 

of machining tasks. 

further information: www.airturbinetools.com 


43

components 

The new standard for 

digital shop floor data management 

With the new TDM release 2026, customers can take data 

management on the shop floor to a whole new level, with automated 

data flows to the machine and even more processes that are fully 

digital and mobile. 

The TDM release 2026 features automatic and seamless data transfer to the 

machine using a standard connection, without interruptions or intermediate 

manual steps. In addition mobile apps enable quick access to data and tasks 

directly in the machine and tool crib environment, whereby tools can be 

booked directly to cost centers via barcodes and NC programs are accessed 

on the go. 

The main highlight of the 2026 release is the new standardized Interface 

“TDM Machine Data Connector”, that further supports and accelerates the 

automation on the shopfloor. TDM already had several dedicated solutions 

in place, but the new standardized machine connection from TDM can work 

with most current machine controls on the market. The interface already 

works with Heidenhain machine controls, with Siemens and Fanuc controls 

as of mid-2026. This means that all tool-related information, from master-data 

to wear values, flows bidirectionally and without manual intervention, 

independent of the control system in use. This gives full transparency, 

allows for forward-looking planning and results in significantly higher 

productivity. 

TDM ScanEasy, the mobile barcode scanner for the shop floor, now supports 

all tool crib processes and inventory, as well as quantity bookings. The 

significantly simplified workflows result in faster and more efficient management 

of items on the shop floor. In addition to querying item information, 

TDM ScanEasy now allows for mobile booking of tools in any situation, 

The two essential scenarios of the Interface TDM Machine Data Connector 

are reliable data transmission and continuous tool monitoring 

The TDM Machine Data Connector interface’s availability will initially 

be limited to selected Heidenhain controls, with Siemens and 

FANUC controls to follow shortly 

at the workplace or at the machine, while the 

new dynamic search function displays suitable 

item suggestions for selection after entering 

just a few letters. 

One of TDM’s biggest advantages is its high 

level of integrability and connectivity with 

other systems. As of release 2026, TDM software 

can communicate with the CRIBWISE 

(Sandvik) manufacturing inventory management 

system. This includes the exchange of 

component data, synchronized inventories 

and stock postings, which can be booked in 

either system. By using TDM and CRIBWISE, 

TDM-users can implement automated ordering 

processes and a transparent warehouse 

structure for consumable tools. And thanks 

to the systems’ synchronization, both systems 

are always up to date. 

A new feature in TDM’s integrated 

NC Program Manager is the TDM NC web 

transfer that enables mobile, browser-based 

provision of approved NC programmes. 

These can be available in machine-related directories 

for further use or transferred back 

after optimization on the machine. This saves 

time, creates greater transparency in the machine 

environment and increases the usability 

of the TDM Integrated NC Program Manager. 

As calibration and testing of measuring and 

calibration equipment is often conducted by 

external suppliers, the resulting data may not 

be immediately available to users of the TDM 

Gauge and Calibration Management Module. 

By transferring the calibration data from 

external systems, users can optimize this 

process as well as their measurement and test 

equipment management. 

TDM release 2026 also offers comprehensive 

new features for data entry and maintenance. 

This ensures the efficient processing of 

mass data for components and complete tools, 

with easy conversion from inches to metric 

and vice versa, automatic collision data 

generation for large amounts of data, deletion 

of graphics or data in specific fields, 

optimized measurement of graphics and simplified 

assembly of complex tools. 

further information: www.tdmsystems.com 


components 

ISBE: a reliable partner for 

digital tool manufacturing 

The demands placed on tool manufacturing companies 

have intensified significantly in recent years. 

Increasing product diversity, smaller batch sizes, 

extensive documentation requirements, and a growing 

shortage of skilled workers coincide with highly automated 

machinery and mounting cost pressure. Also 

expectations for transparent, stable and reproducible 

processes continue to rise – without compromising the 

flexibility essential to modern production. 

In this challenging environment, ISBE GmbH has supported 

tool manufacturers for many years as a reliable partner. Its 

objective is clearly defined: to develop software solutions that 

accurately reflect industrial reality. ISBE combines in-depth 

expertise in tool manufacturing processes with modern software 

architecture, deliberately focusing on areas where standard 

systems reach their limits. 

Proximity to production as a core principle 

ISBE’s solutions are developed from practical experience. 

They are aligned with real-world processes along the entire 

value chain – from order entry and production to quality 

assurance. The goal is to make complexity manageable without 

oversimplifying it. Variants, special processes and company-specific 

rules are not bypassed but instead mapped in a 

structured and transparent way. 

Rather than offering isolated IT tools, ISBE provides 

flexible software solutions that meaningfully complement 

existing tool grinding machines, measuring systems and ERP 

solutions. The result is a consistent data flow that effectively 

supports operational teams. 

Products with tangible technical value for 

tool manufacturing 

At the heart of ISBE’s solutions lies not traditional process 

tracking, but the structured provision and utilization of manufacturing 

data for cutting tools throughout the entire value 

chain. The objective is to consistently translate technical 

requirements – from the tool user through production to 

quality assurance – into actionable data. 

The starting point is always the end customer’s requirements: 

geometries, tolerances, operating conditions and tool 

life criteria. This information is processed, for example, in 

ISBE TD Sketcher in such a way that it forms a reliable basis 

for tool design. Manufacturing and quality assurance teams 

therefore work from a shared, clearly defined data foundation 

– regardless of batch size or product variation. 

Building on this foundation ISBE supports the structured 

provision of necessary grinding wheel data, programs and 

descriptive manufacturing information. Instead of relying on 

implicit knowledge or scattered data sources, relevant parameters 

are centrally maintained and made available in context. 

This increases reproducibility, reduces dependency on individual 

expertise, and ensures stable manufacturing processes, 

even in environments with frequently changing products. 

Another key component is the systematic evaluation of 

measurement and quality data. Measurement results are not 

viewed in isolation but directly linked to tool requirements 

and manufacturing parameters, and made accessible at the 

tool measuring machine. This enables targeted analysis of 

deviations and real-time process adjustments. Quality assurance 

thus evolves from a mere inspection checkpoint into an 

active contributor to process control. 

Partnership instead of software project 

What distinguishes ISBE is its partnership-based approach. 

Collaboration does not end with the commissioning of a software 

solution. Instead, software products and systems are 

continuously developed together with customers, aligned 

with real manufacturing requirements. Changes in product 

portfolios, new customer demands, or organizational adjustments 

can therefore be implemented gradually and in a controlled 

manner. 

For tool manufacturers, this means investment security, 

predictable digitalization steps, and a partner who understands 

industrial contexts – technically and economically. 

Conclusion 

Digital solutions only deliver their full value when they are 

consistently aligned with the realities of tool manufacturing. 

ISBE GmbH represents precisely this approach: software that 

understands context, accommodates variants and makes industrial 

rules explicit. As a reliable partner ISBE supports its 

customers in shaping transparent, stable and future-ready 

processes. 

further information: www.isbe.de 


45

components 

Ultra-fine and high-purity cleaning 

In the course of industrial transformation, more 

and more companies are focusing on the manufacture 

of high-quality products and components with good 

margins. The focus is on high-tech industries that 

promise stable demand through growth in the future. 

The extremely high demands on manufacturing precision 

in these industrial sectors, such as the semiconductor 

supply industry, electronics manufacturing, 

e-mobility, the optical and optoelectronic industry, 

sensor technology, photonics, thin-film technology, 

vacuum, laser and analysis technology, and aerospace, 

include the cleanliness of components. 

This applies regardless of whether the components are barely 

visible electronic parts, millimeter-small connecting 

elements, precision optics or meter-sized structural components, 

and regardless of the materials from which they are 

manufactured. 

The specifications for particulate cleanliness extend into the 

submicrometer range, and in the case of film-like 

contamination, even nanolayers of organic and inorganic 

residues, for example, must be removed in a 

process-reliable and reproducible manner 

Defining cleanliness according to requirements 

This trend poses challenging tasks for parts cleaning. Unlike 

conventional component cleaning, which usually involves 

removing large quantities of manufacturing residues such as 

chips and processing media, ultra-fine and high-purity cleaning 

is all about removing minimal residual contamination. 

The specifications for particulate cleanliness extend into the 

submicrometer range. Depending on the industry, component 

and its application, film-like residual contamination, 

such as organic and inorganic residues, ionic residues and 

microorganism residues, must be removed in a processreliable 

and reproducible manner down to nanometer levels. 

In high-purity applications, such as the manufacture of components 

for EUV lithography, so-called hydrogen-induced 

outgassing (HIO) substances must also be taken into account. 

The requirements for particulate cleanliness to be met 

during cleaning are specified by the corresponding surface 

cleanliness class (ORK) according to EN ISO 14644-9 (SCP – 

surface cleanliness by particle concentration) or the corresponding 

VDI guideline 2083, sheet 9.1. Film-chemical, organic 

and inorganic surface cleanliness is usually defined by 

individual specifications or factory standards. In addition, 

outgassing rates may be evaluated using mass spectrometers. 

These demanding tasks require a partner who has comprehensive 

technological expertise and knowledge of the applications 

and physical relationships. And experience in this field 

of cleaning, and appropriate test facilities for cleaning trials 

under production-related conditions should be available. As 

an experienced full-service provider of future-oriented and 

globally available solutions for ultra-fine and high-purity 

cleaning, Ecoclean meets these requirements. 

Whether you need to handle a wide variety of materials, 

meet high throughput requirements and/or strict cleanliness 

specifications, modular ultrasonic multi-bath immersion 

systems can be efficiently adapted to the task at hand – even 

for integration into or connection to a cleanroom 

Selecting the right cleaning process 

and system technology 

In order to meet these very strict cleanliness specifications 

in a process-reliable, reproducible and sustainable manner, 

several cleaning steps are usually required along the manufacturing 

chain. The following questions play a role in selecting 

the optimal solution for the respective cleaning process: 

what material is the part made of? What are the geometry, dimensions 

and weight of the component? What contaminants 

need to be removed? What cleanliness requirements must be 

met? Which cleaning process and which chemicals are suitable 

for this? On this basis, it is possible to determine which 


components 

The extremely high demands placed on manufacturing precision 

in high-tech industries include the cleanliness of components. 

These sometimes extremely strict requirements call for 

appropriately designed cleaning processes and systems 

as well as a suitable manufacturing environment 

and how many cleaning steps are required, using which 

medium and which process technologies. Other aspects to 

be taken into account include the required quality of the 

rinsing medium and the appropriate drying technology, as 

well as clean part handling and the ambient conditions, for 

example connection or integration into a clean room or clean 

environment. 

Cleaning along the production chain 

The basis for ultra-fine or high-purity cleaning is “oil- and 

grease-free” parts. In order to achieve and maintain this level 

of cleanliness a cleaning process is carried out after the various 

processing steps, such as machining, forming, grinding 

or polishing. The effect of the cleaning medium used is enhanced 

by various process technologies that can be combined 

in almost any combination, such as steam degreasing, 

spray, high-pressure, immersion, ultrasonic and megasonic 

cleaning, as well as plasma cleaning, injection flood washing, 

pulsed pressure cleaning (PPC) and ultrasonic plus. These 

process options ensure that the required cleanliness is consistently 

achieved, even for geometrically complex workpieces. 

For intermediate cleaning processes or parts with less 

stringent cleanliness specifications, modular single- or multichamber 

systems operating under full vacuum, such as 

EcoCstretch or EcoCvela, are typically used. Depending on 

the processing medium used, these systems can be operated 

with an environmentally friendly solvent, e.g. hydrocarbons 

or modified alcohol, or a specially selected water-based 

cleaner. The design, system engineering, media flow and 

treatment of these systems are specially tailored to ultra-fine 

cleaning and high-purity applications. Thanks to the process 

mechanics concentrated in the working chamber, e.g. 

injection flood washing, ultrasound and PPC, this type of 

system also offers advantages when cleaning large and complex 

workpieces. 

Ultrasonic multi-bath immersion systems are the optimal 

solution for parts with a wide variety of materials, high 

throughput requirements and/or strict cleanliness specifications. 

In addition to individually designed cleaning systems 

for high-end applications, Ecoclean offers an efficient solution 

with the UCMSmartLine and UCMPerformanceLine 

series of systems consisting of standardized modules. The 

electrical and control technology is integrated into the 

respective modules for the process steps of cleaning, rinsing, 

drying, loading and unloading, as well as for the transport system. 

This, together with the provision of process mechanics 

tailored to requirements, such as PPC, allows the systems to 

be optimally adapted to the respective task. The option of 

upgrading the cleaning system at a later date ensures futureproofing 

in the event of increased requirements. 

Test center for process design or contract cleaning 

Ecoclean determines the right system concept for the application 

and the optimal cleaning process in its own High 

Purity Test Centre. It has a Class 7 clean room with Class 6 

zones and various measurement and analysis methods (e.g. 

microscopy, residual gas analysis, UV light and fluorescence 

measurement). In addition to the product-specific development 

of cleaning processes and parameters, the test centre 

is used to carry out contract cleaning orders. A packaging 

station for cleaned parts ensures that the high level of cleanliness 

achieved is also delivered to the customer. 

further information: www.ecoclean-group.net 


47

components 

A new generation of oil mist separators 

designed for the machining industry 

Built on 3nine’s proven centrifugal separation 

technology, the APEX series represents a new step in 

simplifying oil mist management while improving 

air quality and reducing operating costs in industrial 

workshops. 

Unlike traditional collectors that capture oil mist in filters 

requiring frequent filter replacement, 3nine’s separators 

remove oil mist from the air through patented separation 

technology. This enables: 

→ recovery and reuse of cutting fluids, 

reducing waste and operating costs 

→ long-lasting filters requiring minimal maintenance 

→ consistently clean air, improving both 

working conditions and operator health 

The APEX series is designed as a universal solution capable 

of handling a wide range of machining applications – including 

demanding grinding operations, cast-iron machining, 

and processes using both neat oil and emulsions. At 

GrindingHub 2026, 3nine will showcase FREJA and VERA, 

two models from the APEX Series. 

◆ FREJA handles airflow rates up to 1000 m³/h, 

making it suitable for larger and more demanding 

machining applications 

◆ VERA is optimized for smaller machines and 

applications, handling airflow rates up to 500 m³/h 

Both models offer: 

→ 99.9 % separation efficiency down to 1 micron 

before the final filter 

→ automatic cleaning (CIP system) to maintain 

optimal separation performance and 

reduce manual maintenance 

→ real-time monitoring with an LED indicator 

showing operating status and filter performance 

With the APEX Series, 3nine continues its mission to simplify 

oil mist management in machine shops while helping manufacturers 

create cleaner, safer and more sustainable working 

environments. 

further information: www.3nine.com 

Measurement of metal workpieces 

The use of the new TomoScope® XS machines from 

Werth Messtechnik is not limited to typical measurement 

objects made of plastic. Economic measurements 

during production with high throughput are also possible 

for different metal workpieces. 

The Werth TomoScope® XS FOV provides high-performance 

computed tomography at the price of tactile or multisensor 

coordinate measuring machines. Special software tools also 

make the machine suitable for worker self-inspection: the 

workpiece is simply placed on the rotary table and the associated 

measuring program is started by pressing a button, 

barcode or RFID code. The measurement result consists in, 

for example, exact measured values for each geometrical 

characteristic or, in the simplest case, a color-coded deviation 

plot from a nominal-actual comparison. Complete 

auto mation for inline applications is also possible, e.g., with 

robot loading. The machines in the TomoScope® XS family 

have the smallest footprint on the market for machines in 

this performance class, making them ideal for direct in-line 

use. The TomoScope® XS FOV is suitable for small plastic and 

metal workpieces in the medium accuracy range. 

With the aid of the high-power X-ray source and tube 

voltages of up to 160 kV, even uncooperative materials can 

be irradiated from different orientations in a short time and 

thus captured completely and three-dimensionally – including 

internal geometries. With multi-object measurements 

and automatic workpiece separation, measurement times of 

some tens of seconds per workpiece can be achieved. The 

measuring range can be optionally extended with additional 

axes and Raster Tomography. 

further information: www.werth.de 


components 

Introducing cloud-powered tooling integration 

to accelerate mould & die machining and 

standardize workflows 

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Business 

Area has introduced a significant advancement for 

mould & die and precision machining, with the first 

production ready integration between its WORKNC 

CAM software and the cloud-based Tool Library. 

This integration strengthens how CAM programmers apply 

validated tooling data and proven machining methods, enabling 

faster programming and more predictable results on 

complex parts. 

Increasing part complexity, tighter tolerances and the scarcity 

of experienced programmers continue to place pressure 

on machinists. Many lose valuable time recreating tooling 

assemblies, maintaining fragmented data or relying on undocu 

mented knowledge exchange across shifts. Hexagon’s latest 

release addresses these challenges by unifying enhanced 

work flow automation in WORKNC with centralized, validated 

cutting-tool information from industry leading tool 

manufacturers (OEMs) through the platform. 

“Reliable tooling information is one of the most powerful 

levers for reducing programming time and eliminating variability”, 

said Steffen Dilger, president of Hexagon’s production 

software division. “As manufacturers adopt more advanced 

automation and AI-assisted programming, centralized and 

high-quality tool data will play an increasingly critical role. 

Our focus is on removing workflow bottlenecks and connecting 

the full manufacturing toolkit, from tool selection 

through simulation and NC verification.” 

Cloud-powered tooling for 

faster, smarter CAM programming 

The Tool Library provides WORKNC users with direct access 

to verified cutting-tool data from a growing network of leading 

tooling partners. Programmers can pull tooling information 

directly into their CAM environment without re-entry 

or model reconstruction, reducing set-up time and ensuring 

digital tool definitions match actual cutting performance. 

“This integration helps manufacturers adopt smarter, more 

efficient digital workflows”, said Dr. Carlonda Reilly, chief 

technology officer, Kennametal. “By combining our validated 

tooling data with Hexagon’s powerful CAM technology, we’re 

advancing our strategy by expanding our digital capabilities 

to better serve machining shops worldwide.” 

“Having Sandvik Coromant tooling available inside the 

Tool Library means less guesswork and more productive machining”, 

said Tobias Unosson, business & partner development 

manager, Sandvik Coromant. “With validated data at 

your fingertips, shops can standardize, reduce setup time, 

WORKNC by Hexagon is designed as CAM software for 

2- to 5-axis CNC programming of complex models 

in the tool, die, and mold manufacturing industry 

and maintain consistent best practices. Smarter tools mean 

smarter workflows.” This growing number of featured partners 

also includes MachiningCloud and ToolsUnited, with additional 

partners being onboarded as the ecosystem expands, 

giving shops broader access to validated tooling data. 

The integration of the Tool Library enables accurate digital 

twins of tools and assemblies, automatic application of material-specific 

cutting data, and the sharing of standardized 

tooling definitions across teams. Its cloud-based architecture 

supports scalability and consistency across thousands of tool 

items, while searchable catalogues give users direct access to 

OEM information without installing additional applications 

or consuming CAM licenses. 

Enhanced automation and quality improvements 

in WORKNC 2025.4 

Alongside the Tool Library integration, Hexagon has introduced 

new automation and finishing enhancements designed 

to simplify complex programming tasks and help shops 

achieve more consistent machining outcomes: 

▶ Improved finishing quality: a new parallel finishing 

algorithm delivers cleaner transitions at surface edges 

and improves geometry accuracy. Combined with 

toolpath extension in tangency, it reduces 

tedious CAD preparation. 

▶ Simplified programming: new enhancements improve 

detection of remaining material and provide 

finer control of tool entry and exit positions, 

helping programmers generate collision-safe 

toolpaths with less manual intervention. 

With this release, Hexagon continues to prioritize 

practical automation that fits existing processes, enabling 

manufacturers to modernize at a pace that suits their 

operations. 

further information: www.hexagon.com 


49

components 

From a secondary process 

to a productivity driver 

How intelligent KSS management determines quality, productivity, and costs 

In modern metalworking, the quality of the cooling 

lubricant (KSS) not only determines the service life 

of the tools, it also influences the entire value chain. 

Full-flow microfiltration, intelligent control, and temperature-optimized 

processes make KSS management 

a key lever for efficiency, product quality and sustainability. 

With its modular microfiltration systems, filter 

specialist Vomat from Treuen demonstrates how filter 

technology today not only “cleans”, but also contributes 

to the optimization of the entire production 

process actively. 

In many companies cooling lubricant management is still 

regarded merely as a necessary peripheral task. However the 

purity of the cooling lubricant has a direct and measurable im - 

pact on key performance indicators such as scrap rates, machine 

availability, tool costs and energy consumption. Modern, 

integrated cooling lubricant management therefore 

includes continuous fine filtration in full flow, constanttemperature 

cooling, demand-based operation of pumps 

and filter elements, and well-thought-out concepts for waste 

disposal and recycling. 

These components interact particularly closely in tool 

grinding: the cleaner the grinding oil and the more stable 

the temperature, the better the geometry, surface quality and 

service life can be reproduced. At the same time cooling lubricants 

remain in the system for significantly longer, which 

reduces costs for replacement, storage, and disposal. 

How Vomat systems optimize 

the entire process chain 

Steffen Strobel, technical sales manager at Vomat: “Vomat 

deliberately positions itself not only as a filter supplier, but 

as a solution provider for the entire cooling lubricant periphery 

in metalworking. We supply everything from individual 

to large-scale industrial central systems.” And they all offer 

the same advantages. “Full-flow ultra-fine filtration with 

constant purity: Vomat fine filtration systems separate dirty 

and clean oil 100 % in a full-flow process and achieve purity 

classes of NAS 7 (3 - 5 μm). This ensures that extremely clean 

cooling lubricants are permanently available for the grinding 

process – a decisive factor for dimensional accuracy, surface 

quality and tool life. 

Demand-based backwashing and energy efficiency: the degree 

of contamination of each filter element is monitored; 

backwash cycles only run when they are actually necessary. 

While one element is being backwashed, the others continue 

to ensure a continuous supply of clean oil. This extends the 

service life of the filter elements, reduces energy consumption 

and prevents process interruptions. 

Temperature-stable processes for μ-precise quality: in addition 

to filtration, Vomat offers integrated cooling concepts 

that keep the cooling lubricant within a narrow tolerance 

range (up to approx. ± 0.2 - 0.5 K, depending on the design). 

This minimizes thermal influences on the tool and workpiece 

– a must for demanding grinding processes with tight 

tolerances. 

Modular systems for every size of operation 

From individual FA systems to central ZFA systems with outputs 

in the four to five-digit liter range per minute: the modular 

concepts can be tailored precisely to machining volumes, 

machine configurations and future expansions. This transforms 

filtration from an isolated unit into strategic infrastruc - 

ture: cooling lubricant microfiltration, cooling and recyclable 

material processing are planned as an integrated system and 

contribute directly to OEE, TCO, and process reliability. 

Clean processes, better parts: 

quality gains through ultra-fine filtration 

Clean processes mean better parts, because ultra-fine filtration 

has a direct impact on product quality. Contaminants 

in the cooling lubricant act like an invisible abrasive in the 

circuit during everyday production: they cause scoring, unclean 

cutting edges, thermal damage and increased wear on 

grinding wheels and machine parts. Conversely, consistently 

clean cooling lubricants offer several quality advantages: dimensional 

accuracy and surface quality increase thanks to 

stable removal rates and homogeneous heat dissipation. Tool 

life is extended due to reduced abrasive wear, and scrap and 

rework are significantly reduced thanks to reproducible 

grinding conditions. Also machine downtime is reduced 

because components such as spindles, seals and valves are 

subjected to less stress. Clean machining processes thus 

directly contribute to delivery quality, adherence to delivery 

dates, and competitiveness – both in series production and 

in precision toolmaking. 

Ultrafine filtration is core technology, 

not an accessory 

Ultrafine filtration of cooling lubricants is not just a “filter 

box next to the machine.” As an integral part of a welldesigned 

cooling lubricant management system, it influences 

product quality, productivity, energy consumption, and sustainability 

throughout the entire production process. 

further information: www.vomat.de 


impressum 

ISSN 2628-5444 

publisher 

Benno Keller 

phone + 49 (0)911 - 2018 200 

fax + 49 (0)911 - 2018 100 

keller@harnisch.com 

editor-in-chief 

Eric Schäfer 

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eric.schaefer@harnisch.com 

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Christiane Ebner 

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ebner@harnisch.com 

publishing company 

Dr. Harnisch Publications 

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copyright © 2026 Dr. Harnisch Publications 

advertising index 

GrindingHub ..........................................................page 13 

Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrik Paul Horn GmbH ...............................cover 

JOHN CHEN SCREW Ind. Co., Ltd. ................................... back cover 

Lach Diamant Jakob Lach GmbH & Co. KG .......................inside front cover 

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH. .........................................page 11 

TIGRA GmbH ..........................................................page 9 


51

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